Bumi Pakubuwono is an adaptive reuse project that transforms an existing three-story office building into a creative lifestyle compound, blending the old and new, human and environment, nature and architecture.
© Arti Pictures – William Sutanto
Inspired by the meaning of Bumi (earth), the design is guided by elemental materials — each influencing the architecture, spatial flow, and sensory experience. Water suggests movement and calm, inspiring pathways that flow like streams and reflective pools that invite pause. Plants bring life and softness, creating thresholds where greenery dissolves the boundary between indoors and outdoors. Stone grounds the architecture, lending permanence and a tactile connection to the earth. Brick adds warmth, craft, and texture, celebrating human touch in construction. Soil becomes the medium of growth, supporting rooftop gardens and planted terraces. Grass serves as a cooling, living carpet, softening hard edges and framing communal outdoor spaces.
© Arti Pictures – William Sutanto
The existing building sits lower and 35 meters from the main road, prompting a design response that reconnects it to the street with a four-meter-wide bridge. More than a circulation path, this bridge is a lush promenade lined with tropical plants and gardens, creating an elevated, green arrival. Extending toward the main road, the project introduces outdoor seating shaded by a rooftop garden, enhancing comfort while reducing heat gain.
© Arti Pictures – William Sutanto
Maximizing natural light and cross-ventilation, the design reduces reliance on artificial systems, creating a healthier environment for both occupants and surroundings.
© Arti Pictures – William Sutanto
More than a renovation, Bumi Pakubuwono is a rethinking of the built environment’s relationship with nature. By embedding the language of earth’s elements into its architecture, the project creates spaces that are functional and restorative — grounding people in place, deepening their connection to nature, and enriching daily life.
Project Info
Architects: WOFF
Country: Indonesia, Kecamatan Kebayoran Baru
Area: 2200 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Arti Pictures – William Sutanto
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.