Portfolio

22 – Parabolic Plywood

Parabolic Plywood, or Puncak Keemasan Group Office, a 2,450 sqm workspace in Alam Sutera, Tangerang, tests two hypotheses: Can a multi-tenant office on a sloped plot foster collaboration through modular plywood parabolas? How can a permeable plywood facade create a sustainable, playful space? Completed in 2016 despite a tilted site and three-month timeline, it unifies diverse companies with a jungle-like ambiance, drawing from Omah Library’s modular ethos.

The facade, a breathable grid of plywood panels and glass, softens tropical heat while inviting light and air, crafted by local artisans for efficiency and warmth. Parabolic plywood arches define a central hall—a courtyard-like space with a tree bookshelf and library hub—linking offices while maintaining privacy. Skylights and permeable partitions enhance ventilation, reducing cooling needs. The landscape, with minimal native plants along the perimeter, cools the urban plot, complementing the building’s organic feel.

Using prefabricated plywood modules, the design overcame a 5 cm sloped discrepancy, balancing cost and creativity. Published on ArchDaily in 2017, this office humbly proves modular craft can weave light, air, and collaboration into a tropical workspace, fostering connection in a constrained urban setting.

Photography by Eric Dinardi