Cover The exterior view of the landed home presents a majestic silhouette and honours Dutch colonial architecture
The exterior view of the landed home presents a majestic silhouette and honours Dutch colonial architecture
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In Jakarta's coveted historical district, a landed home by Zync Studio + Workshop and FusionArc Architects integrates Dutch colonial grandeur with modern living requirements
Menteng, one of Jakarta’s most storied districts, was originally developed in the early 20th century as a garden city by Dutch colonial planners. Known for its wide boulevards, tree-lined streets, and stately residences of diplomats and higher echelon of old-world civil servants, the Menteng of today remains a prestigious residential enclave. Its old colonial homes represent symbols of affluence and historical elegance amid The Big Durian’s ever-evolving urban landscape.
Designed by Singapore-based Zync Studio + Workshop in collaboration with Jakarta-based FusionArc Architects, the Gazebo House reflects an emphasis on light, craftsmanship and spatial planning, balancing heritage influences with contemporary needs.
Also read: Home tour: A lush Jakarta house immersed in nature atop seven picturesque tiered pools
Above An evening exterior view of the landed home, which originally comprised two separate plots that were merged into one property
An evening exterior view of the landed home, which originally comprised two separate plots that were merged into one property
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The homeowner—a businessman who shares the abode with his spouse, two adult children, their friendly pet golden retriever named Wally, and a fleet of support staff—sought to build a residence that acknowledged Menteng’s colonial history, while being designed for modern-day practicality.
Situated on two adjacent plots with a total land size of 19,100 sq ft, the original existing structures were demolished to make way for a 9,860 sq ft new residence that aligns with conservation guidelines while simultaneously incorporating contemporary elements.
Above The stately corridor sets the tone at this landed house
Above The skylights brings natural light inside the landed home
The stately corridor sets the tone at this landed house
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The design brief called for a balance between conservation regulations and the client’s preference for a Dutch colonial-inspired home. “To gain an understanding of colonial influences within this former Dutch East Indies colony, we researched conserved colonial-era buildings in Jakarta and also studied the architectural and interior detailing of black-and-white houses in Singapore,” explains Glynis Ng, founder of Zync Studio + Workshop.
The homeowners had first engaged the studio in 2004 through a referral for the rejuvenation of their former family home. This initial project led to a long-term collaboration that involved the studio designing both their residential and office spaces.
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Above The marble-inlaid foyer makes entering the home a stately procession through an art gallery
The marble-inlaid foyer makes entering the home a stately procession through an art gallery
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Above The dark, art deco-inspired staircase and balustrade, paired with the white wainscoted walls, evoke a sense of colonial splendour
Above The architecture of the landed home is brainchild of Jakarta-based FusionArc Architects
The dark, art deco-inspired staircase and balustrade, paired with the white wainscoted walls, evoke a sense of colonial splendour
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Stepping into the foyer, one is immediately greeted by an air of quiet splendour courtesy of its classic interior design elements. An 11m-long corridor inlaid with Statuario, Grey Emperador and Black Marquina marble varieties creates a striking black-and-white geometric pattern that guides one along.
The monochromatic palette is softened by rich textures—wainscoting that lines the walls with timeless elegance, and a pair of high oval-back Christopher Guy armchairs that sits beneath an antique mirror. The wrought iron handrails on the grand staircase introduce a sculptural element, drawing the eye skywards to the home’s upper corridor. This interplay of materials, light and carefully placed furnishings sets the tone for a residence that is both stately and welcoming.
Above The interior’s predominantly white surfaces allow graphic statement pieces such as an oversized botanical-patterned rug and whimsical animal-shaped decor to shine
The interior’s predominantly white surfaces allow graphic statement pieces such as an oversized botanical-patterned rug and whimsical animal-shaped decor to shine
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The homeowners also requested the subtle incorporation of Chinese-inspired elements, referencing an earlier project undertaken by the studio. “The Chinese-inspired hints were subtly injected throughout the interiors to complement the overall colonial revival aesthetic without overpowering it,” Ng shares.
These details appear in the form of an Eastern cloud-motif divider in the guest lounge, a scroll coffee table, a pair of Ming-style chests framing the living room’s transition to the patio, and rattan-woven coffee tables and Eastern-style vases throughout the abode.
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One of the landed home's cosy living rooms features a medley of softy furnishings
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A key feature of the landed home is its namesake, the gazebo, which takes form of a steel-framed glass conservatory that presides over the pool. Designed as a multipurpose space, it serves different functions from sunrise to starlit night, including as a Pilates and yoga studio in the morning, a tea lounge in the afternoon, a pre-dinner gathering area in the evening, and a reading zone on rainy days.
“This space transforms as the day progresses—whether it is as a sun-drenched breakfast spot in the morning, or an idyllic reading nook on a rainy afternoon,” says Ng.
Above Furnished with leather-woven chairs from Moie Living and a rattan-inlay coffee table, the landed home's gazebo serves as a versatile space from which to admire the ever-changing sky
Furnished with leather-woven chairs from Moie Living and a rattan-inlay coffee table, the landed home's gazebo serves as a versatile space from which to admire the ever-changing sky
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Keen to support local artisans, the homeowners curated a mix of locally crafted as well as imported furniture throughout the landed home; these include products acquired from Home Bar Living in Kemang. They decided on pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities.
The interior design reflects meticulous craftsmanship through its material palette. The aforementioned marble-floored foyer establishes a geometric visual motif that is subtly referenced in other design elements, including the lift interior’s marble detailing, the wrought iron stair railings, and custom-designed furniture pieces such as the dining table base and interior veneer-inlaid dividers.
This dining room features a custom Verde Alpi marble dining table, designed by Zync Studio + Workshop
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A custom Verde Alpi marble dining table, foyer centrepiece, and study desk—all designed by Zync Studio + Workshop for the landed home—create a seamless visual flow throughout the home. In the living room, a large wool-and-silk carpet in eight shades of green harmonises with the Brewster Green main door and Verde Alpi marble accents.
Adding a personal touch, the homeowners transformed framed Hermès scarves from their collection into striking decorative elements, elevating these coveted pieces into works of art.
The landed home's resident pet golden retriever Wally, inside the tranquil bedroom
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The landed home project, which began in October 2019, faced delays due to the pandemic, requiring Ng and her team to manage construction remotely from Singapore between 2020 and 2021. “With travel borders closed, we had to rely on extensive coordination with the Jakarta-based teams. It was challenging, but ultimately reinforced our adaptability and commitment to design integrity,” Ng reflects. The residence was completed in April 2024 after 55 months.
Among the most notable spaces in the house, the foyer and the gazebo stand out for their attention to detail and well-executed spatial flow; the latter particularly because of its unbridled versatility, shifting according to daily routines and seasonal changes.
To the homeowners, the Gazebo House represents a residence that respects historical influences while being tailored to present-day living requirements. It is a sanctuary in which tradition and functionality coexist, with a wealth of spaces designed for both aesthetic appeal and practical use.
Above The powder room’s black-and-white material palette is given a lift with a deep green hue
Above The landed home's spacious master bathroom features subtle patterns
The powder room’s black-and-white material palette is given a lift with a deep green hue
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Credits
Photography: Calvin Seah
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
