A groundbreaking co-housing project has emerged in the heart of Jakarta's densely populated Cilandak neighborhood, offering a fresh perspective on urban residential design. ABC Flats, designed by Indonesian architectural firm Isso Architects, represents an innovative approach to communal living in one of South Jakarta's most crowded areas, demonstrating how thoughtful design can maximize limited urban space while fostering community connections.
The three-story concrete structure occupies a compact 175-square-meter plot of land, yet efficiently houses a total built area of 423 square meters. This impressive space utilization showcases the architects' skill in vertical design and their understanding of urban density challenges. The building's solid concrete construction provides both durability and thermal mass, essential qualities for Jakarta's tropical climate and bustling urban environment.
Isso Architects, led by principal architects Wibisono Soegih and Stephanie Tatimu, has created a thoughtfully planned residential complex that caters to the growing demand for alternative housing solutions in Indonesia's capital. The design team, including Arini Zairina Putri and Rangga Cakra Birawa, worked closely with PT. HAGE Primadi Konstruksi as the general contractor and Silla Home for interior contracting to bring this vision to life.
The building's layout features three distinct types of rooms, each designed with its own ensuite bathroom, providing privacy and convenience for residents. With a total of 11 rooms distributed across the three floors, ABC Flats offers flexible accommodation options that can appeal to various demographics, from young professionals to small families seeking affordable urban housing solutions.
One of the project's most notable features is its rooftop area, which has been thoughtfully designed as both a small pantry and communal space for residents. This shared area promotes social interaction and community building among inhabitants, addressing the often-isolated nature of urban living. The rooftop space provides residents with an outdoor retreat where they can gather, socialize, and enjoy views of the surrounding neighborhood.
The project incorporates high-quality materials and finishes from reputable manufacturers, including Jotun paint systems, Muka Surface materials, Propan fixtures, Taco hardware, and Toto bathroom fixtures. These carefully selected materials ensure durability and aesthetic appeal while maintaining cost-effectiveness for the co-housing model.
Photographed by Ernest Theofilus, the completed project showcases clean lines, efficient space planning, and a modern aesthetic that fits seamlessly into Jakarta's evolving urban landscape. The architectural photography captures both the building's exterior presence and the intimate scale of its interior spaces, highlighting how the design successfully balances privacy with community interaction.
ABC Flats represents a significant contribution to Jakarta's housing discourse, particularly as the city continues to grapple with rapid urbanization, limited land availability, and the need for affordable housing solutions. By demonstrating that co-housing can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, Isso Architects has created a model that could inspire similar developments throughout Indonesia and other Southeast Asian urban centers facing comparable challenges.
