Guha Boboto, a living experiment in West Jakarta, tests two hypotheses: Can a renovated house blend family, work, and community using recycled materials? How can a bioclimatic design adapt to Jakarta’s climate with simplicity? Built in the 1990s with plywood, it evolved through renovations—first glulam plywood, now reinforced with recycled light steel, bricks, and aluminum—prioritizing cost and sustainability.
The facade, a mix of repurposed plywood and steel slats, opens north-south for airflow, shading the west for thermal comfort. Artisans crafted 1997 plywood into intricate wall and ceiling patterns, adding warmth. A central hallway, linking the family home, boarding house, and OMAH Library, acts as a courtyard-like space, buzzing with community life. The library, a bookstore and activity hub, joins family-run stalls from the 1990s, supporting local micro-businesses. The landscape, with small garden patches shaded by the structure, weaves into the kampung fabric.
Flexible doors connect private and public zones, ensuring privacy while fostering interaction. Featured at M Bloc Design Week 2024, Guha Boboto shows recycled materials and local craft can create a resilient, tropical home for family and community.
Photography by Aryo Phramudhito, Lu’luil Ma’nun
April 9, 2025
