Why this Jakarta house has almost no visible windows

Indonesian architect Andra Matin designed a striking black house in Bintaro, Jakarta, that minimizes visible windows to maintain the homeowner's privacy. Commissioned by a client who wanted a masculine home, the structure sits on a 300 sq m lot within a typical suburban development. Matin, known for public and hospitality projects, also designs private residences, with 16 featured in his 2024 monograph.

The building's exterior features pigmented concrete, Yellow Balau timber, and greenery, creating an "almost bizarre" spaceship-like silhouette against neighboring homes. Rather than windows, narrow openings provide ventilation and light. A strip of greenery acts as a living fence at the front, while a lush vertical garden creates a cooling oasis inside.

Elevated from ground level, the first floor includes a service area and domestic helper's room. On the second floor, a mezzanine transforms a child's bedroom into a playroom, separating activities physically and mentally. Bridge-like walkways and voids between rooms generate a sense of spaciousness.

Two years after the family moved in, the open, bright living area has become a hub for socializing, exceeding initial expectations. Matin achieved this by balancing natural and manmade elements, an approach exemplified in his own home and studio. The rooftop, designed for evening gatherings, now serves as a space for drying clothes.

Matin hopes his architecture will create memorable structures that endure beyond his career, evolving with their occupants while retaining their timeless appeal.