Cover A light-filled corridor flanks the central courtyard, connecting the front wing of the home to the rear extension
A light-filled corridor flanks the central courtyard, connecting the front wing of the home to the rear extension
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Designed by KantorGG, this 80-year-old tropical colonial home balances preserved heritage architecture with modern, light-filled living
More than 80 years ago, Giovanni Gunawan’s grandfather acquired a tropical colonial-style residence located in a quiet pocket of Surabaya, Indonesia.
Typical of structures erected during that period and adapted to the East Javanese climate, it blends clean, symmetrical Dutch-influenced façade with vernacular features such as high ceilings, wide verandas, large shuttered windows for cross-ventilation, and deep roof overhangs for shade.
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Using local materials such as timber joinery, terracotta roof tiles, and simple plaster detailing, it formed a practical yet elegant hybrid structure that suited the tropical environment and family lifestyle of its era.
Above Giovanni Gunawan, homeowner and managing director and architecture design principal at KantorGG (Photo: Tristan Salim)
Giovanni Gunawan, homeowner and managing director and architecture design principal at KantorGG (Photo: Tristan Salim)
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“Dutch colonial homes achieve remarkable comfort through cross-ventilation and high-pitched roofs that shed rainwater efficiently,” says the managing director and architecture design principal at KantorGG. “[These are] principles we now integrate more intentionally in our contemporary projects.”
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Today, Gunawan resides in the family property with his wife and their pet corgi, supported by a small team of staff who help maintain the home.
“Soon, we’ll be welcoming our first child, a daughter, which makes this home even more special for us,” he says with a smile.
Above Giovanni Gunawan’s grandfather acquired the family residence more than 80 years ago (Photo: Mario Wibowo Photography)
Giovanni Gunawan’s grandfather acquired the family residence more than 80 years ago (Photo: Mario Wibowo Photography)
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Above A hybrid structure that suited the tropical environment and family lifestyle of its era (Photo: Mario Wibowo Photography)
Above The clean, symmetrical Dutch-influenced façade with vernacular features were preserved (Photo: Mario Wibowo Photography)
A hybrid structure that suited the tropical environment and family lifestyle of its era (Photo: Mario Wibowo Photography)
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Nicknamed PB House, the full-time residence was initially a single-storey space with a preserved Dutch-inspired façade and century-old brick columns.
Spanning about 2,100 sq ft, the interiors of the front wing, restored in 2019, comprise a foyer and an open-plan living, dining, and pantry area for entertaining. It also features a semi-master bedroom with a walk-in closet and a shared garage.
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“The house had gradually sunk below street level, and this required us to raise the ground plane and lift the ceilings,” Gunawan shares. “This gave us the opportunity to replace the old tin and steel colonial ceiling with a cleaner plaster finish.”
Above The central courtyard was once where Gunawan used to play as a child
The central courtyard was once where Gunawan used to play as a child
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The newly added rear wing is a modernised extension that sits on an elongated, narrow plot of about 3,300 sq ft.
With a two-storey build-up totalling 6,500 sq ft, the contemporary wing consists of a double-height living room that flows into an open-plan dining area; a master bedroom that overlooks the backyard garden on the ground floor; and two additional bedrooms on the first floor–one for the children and one for guests.
The property also includes a shared gym where the family can work out together, and is crowned with a roofed outdoor area for additional dining or gathering space.
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Above Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the lush courtyard on one side and the private rooms on the other
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the lush courtyard on one side and the private rooms on the other
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Wedged between the front and rear wings is a central courtyard that was once the very land where Gunawan used to play as a child.
The preserved space is filled with vibrant Indonesian plantings set against trees that evoke an Australian tropical character, reflecting Gunawan’s formative years studying in Australia.
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Above The light-filled corridor that connects the two distinct wings
Above The courtyard is filled with vibrant Indonesian plantings
The light-filled corridor that connects the two distinct wings
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Flanking the courtyard is a long, light-filled corridor that connects the two distinct wings, anchored by a landscape artwork from Gunawan’s collection.
Here, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the lush courtyard on one side and the private rooms on the other–a transitional journey that shifts from a bygone era to a modern one as the public spaces move toward more intimate quarters.
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“One of the biggest challenges was working with the original double-brick load-bearing structure, which had no columns,” the architect-slash-homeowner shares. “While it’s beautiful in character, connecting it to the new concrete extension was technically complex.”
“We solved this by introducing a steel-column junction as a transitional structural spine,” he continues.
The double-height living room in the rear extension with large glass openings
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Above A bright, gentle environment that feels like a breath of fresh air
Above The central courtyard provides a lush backdrop to the timeless setting
A bright, gentle environment that feels like a breath of fresh air
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Drawing inspiration from the original house–tegel floors, soft grey tiles, all-white walls, and pale blue window trims–Gunawan reinterpreted these elements in a darker and richer tone for the new rear wing.
The double-height living room in the rear extension is much more open with large glass openings. Dark oak ceiling beams and sycamore veneer ground the space, while cream-coloured marble walls and beige textured paint lend an air of lightness and warmth.
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“It’s a bright, gentle environment that feels like a breath of fresh air throughout the day,” Gunawan comments. “A timeless setting that feels both personal and comfortable, making it the perfect place for family time and quiet moments alike.”
Above Dark oak ceiling beams and sycamore veneer ground the open-plan space
Dark oak ceiling beams and sycamore veneer ground the open-plan space
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In the adjacent dining area, a long dining table grounds the space, while a striking abstract artwork in vivid hues of yellow, blue, and orange infuses energy. A display of antique kitchenware reflects Mrs Gunawan’s passion for cooking.
Meanwhile, in the pantry, dark oak cabinetry exudes warmth and texture, while sleek white marble countertops with dramatic veining encourage casual gatherings–from quick breakfasts to late-night conversations–surrounded by custom-designed high chairs.
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The adjacent dining area with a striking abstract artwork in vivid hues of yellow, blue, and orange
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Finally, in the new master bedroom, Gunawan introduced dark herringbone oak flooring and tan leather accents to add depth and colour, while lighter tones of oak and cream marble create a subdued calmness.
Originally designed for KantorGG’s major exhibition, an accessories rack beside the bed has been repurposed as a display for family memorabilia, bringing nostalgia and personality to the intimate room.
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In the pantry, the sleek white marble countertops with dramatic veining encourage casual gatherings
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“The main challenge was its location at the rear of the site, which faces a busy commercial street,” comments Gunawan regarding his favourite space to design. “We needed the room to be completely soundproof while keeping it at the back of the house for privacy.”
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To achieve this, the team developed a fully sealed envelope that blocks noise effectively, and introduced a private garden between the master bedroom and the kitchen, enhancing privacy and further reducing street noise.
Rather than a cluster of smaller areas, glass-aluminium doors with fabric-sandwich glass make the overall space feel like one generous room, maintaining privacy while allowing spaces to open or close seamlessly.
Above In the master bedroom, lighter tones of oak and cream marble create a subdued calmness
In the master bedroom, lighter tones of oak and cream marble create a subdued calmness
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Slim steel details add refinement, while large windows invite soft natural light from the backyard garden, thoughtfully positioned where the two spaces form an L-shape.
“This design creates a beautiful visual relationship, so when I’m reading or working, I can glance across the greenery and catch sight of my wife cooking in the kitchen,” Gunawan muses.
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Dark herringbone oak flooring and tan leather accents to add depth and colour to the intimate space
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In conclusion, Gunawan reflects that the two-year construction process has taught him valuable lessons about preservation.
“It doesn’t always mean uniformity,” he says. “Allowing a dialogue of contrasts, such as pairing the cathedral-like tinted-glass exterior with modern aluminium profiles and warm wood interiors, can celebrate the past while confidently embracing the present.”
He adds: “This juxtaposition between dark heritage and light contemporary spaces makes every part of the home easy to live in, whether for everyday family life or entertaining.”
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Credits
Photography: Kung Photograph
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
