MG House

MG House: A Modern Tropical Barn Blending Contemporary Design with Sustainable Living

MG House is residential house located at Joglo, West Jakarta. Finished in 2022, This project was built in a hook area of 366 m2 with GBA around 718 m2. One of the client's de-sires was to have a storage area large enough to accommodate his collections, resembling a warehouse or barn, but combined with modern contemporary tropical design elements. Therefore, the main concept of the house is to reflect a combination of modern tropical and barn style.

The main design approach was to respond to the tropical climate while creating an iconic structure that catches attention from both streets it faces. One of the key goals was to maximize the use of the surrounding garden area, ensuring a seamless connection between the house and it environment. The landscape design incorporates greenery, offering natural shade and cooling, which further complements the house's passive cooling strategies. By integrating the garden with the home's design, a harmonious relation-ship between indoor and outdoor spaces was created, blurring the boundaries between the two.

The Second Skin facade on the front elevation can filter air and sunlight from the outside. The combination of the metal roof and natural wood elements on the exterior creates a balance between modern industrial and natural tropical aesthetics. This fusion gives the house a warm yet contemporary look, making it stand out as a landmark in the neighborhood while still blending with the surrounding greenery.

In terms of materials, MG House was designed to be both durable and low-maintenance. The roof, made from COLORBOND® steel in Cocoa Brown color, was selected for its durability against the tropical climate. A layer of polyurethane (PU) beneath the metal roof offers excellent thermal insulation, helping to maintain stable indoor temperatures and reduce reliance on air conditioning. The roof structure itself is supported by a steel frame coated with anti-rust paint, ensuring long-term structural integrity. This combination of materials aligns with the modern tropical barn concept, while also addressing sustainability through the use of recyclable materials and energy-efficient design features.