Plain and simple with tropical charm

Maria Endah Hulupi, Contributor, Jakarta

A tropical style home in leafy surroundings that did not require continual upkeep was the dream house of one Bandung family.

Standing on 450 square meters of land, this simple tropical house has all the qualities the owners ask for -- simplicity and low maintenance.

Located in a housing complex in Bandung, it was designed in such a way so it stands in the center of the plot, surrounded by garden.

"The house is equipped with a terrace on all sides. It was planned that way from the beginning to ensure proper air circulation," said Bandung-based architect Tan Tik Lam.

The house is divided into two sections with a simple terrace separating them. The first section is for living quarters, while the second houses a two-car garage and service area.

The owner -- a young couple with two small children -- wished to have an efficient yet uncomplicated floor plan. The architect created an inward oriented interior, with the ground floor allocated for a public area while the upper floor is reserved for private areas, such as bedrooms.

"Even the public area is quite personal since visiting guests are mostly people with a close relationship with the owner," he said, adding that other guests can be hosted on the terrace.

The house is equipped with plenty of huge windows and doors; they are not only to allow sunlight and fresh air to soak in, but also for views of the outside. Since these huge openings allow an unobstructed view outside, they help in creating an overall spacious impression.

Since these openings are among the main, dominant features in the house, the architect specially designed the wooden window panels and doors for a tropical appearance with old-fashioned charm.

The staircase is the only double height ceiling in the interior and it is lightly designed with a simple, light railing and timber treads. The staircase also has an indented side wall that can be used to display objects.

At the outset, the architect carefully chose materials which are durable and require low maintenance. Apart from teak wood for doors and window panels, the architect used ceramic flooring, andesite stone for the ground floor, polished cement for the floor on the second level and plastered cement for the walls.

The grayish green paint chosen for the exterior wall blends harmoniously with the timber doors and windows -- a combination that further strengthens the tropical atmosphere. "Apart from that, such color does not easily get dirty," he said.

Tan Tik Lam also arranged pipe lines, waste removal and electricity systems, keeping them all out of sight to maintain a neat and well-organized look.

The house is also designed to meet the owner's need of a dining room that can accommodate around four to six people. For special occasions, the terrace can be turned into an outdoor gathering spot, especially when the owners are inviting people over.

During the planning stage, the owners requested nothing but an interior which reflected their lifestyle and needs, like the dining room as well as a sitting room big enough to accommodate a grand piano.

The lighting arrangement for the interior features warm-toned lights. It is kept functional and slightly dimmer than the outdoor arrangement because the architect wanted to create an outward orientation, allowing the owners to view the landscape that frames the house.

In the exterior, each of the columns is provided with lighting and the frangipani is illuminated with up-lighting that can serve as exterior accents in the evening.

"The house was created so that the owner have a view far into their garden. The lighting arrangement in the interior and exterior was designed to enable them do that in the evening."

Apart from frangipani, the architect, who teams up with his mother as landscape consultants, chose ground cover and the walisongo plant for the landscape. There are also potted ferns and anthurium to decorate the terraces and interior.

"These potted plants add a little greenery to the interior, creating a nicer, more soothing ambience," said Tan Tik Lam.