Cover The Intertwined Residence’s double-height communal living room is defined by a timber ceiling and rattan panels wrapping the staircase, forming a column-free core
The Intertwined Residence’s double-height communal living room is defined by a timber ceiling and rattan panels wrapping the staircase, forming a column-free core
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In South Jakarta’s affluent neighbourhood, a linear home by K-Thengono Design Studio rethinks shared living for two households through intertwined spatial programming
Family is precious, and so is space. In residential architecture, tension often lies in the management between private and public realms, deciding when to commune and when to retreat. The larger the family, the more complex that negotiation becomes.
This home in South Jakarta, by K-Thengono Design Studio houses two brothers and their families. Christened Intertwined Residence, it was built on an extreme rectangular site measuring just under 20 metres wide and stretching almost 70 metres deep, a condition that necessitated a linear arrangement.
In case you missed it: Home tour: A waterfront tropical home in Jakarta’s Pantai Mutiara with “floating” structure
Above The front landscape of the Intertwined Residence is tiered with reflecting pools and a bonsai focal point, creating a spa-like arrival sequence that eases the transition from work to home
The front landscape of the Intertwined Residence is tiered with reflecting pools and a bonsai focal point, creating a spa-like arrival sequence that eases the transition from work to home
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Each family required a complete domestic unit, yet neither wanted to feel separated by walls or duplicated structures. “They wanted to live together, but not be forced into each other’s routines,” explains architect Indonesian Kelvin Thengono. “So, the challenge was how to organise space in a way that allows connection without dependency.”
Rather than dividing the site, the abode was conceived as a sequence of shared and private moments layered along its length. The architecture of the Intertwined Residence becomes a mediator, structuring daily life through thresholds, overlaps and calibrated distance rather than rigid separation.
Above The house presents a corten steel facade in the evening, its cantilevered box volumes articulated via light and shadow
The house presents a corten steel facade in the evening, its cantilevered box volumes articulated via light and shadow
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Welcoming Arrival
Approaching the Intertwined Residence one moves through trickling water, past a sculptural tree. The experience feels almost spa-like, easing the transition from city to home. From this softened foreground, the facade appears restrained and distant. Clean-cut volumes clad in corten steel define the front mass, its projection held just enough to feel arresting.
The form reads as composed rather than expressive, setting the tone for what lies beyond. “The idea was to slow people down before they even step inside,” Thengono says. “This house needed to pull the owners out of their working lives.”
Above The double-volume living room is made column-free by a 14-metre local glulam beam, with rattan panels by Byo Living softening the space
The double-volume living room is made column-free by a 14-metre local glulam beam, with rattan panels by Byo Living softening the space
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Above Carefully lit, the exposed timber detailing in the ceiling becomes a defining design feature
Above A close-up of Woodlam’s glulam joinery highlights the craftsmanship of the engineered timber structure
Carefully lit, the exposed timber detailing in the ceiling becomes a defining design feature
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The Intertwined Residence’s exterior reveals little of the spatial richness within. Its controlled expression reinforces a clear boundary between public street and domestic interior, allowing the architecture to unfold gradually through movement. The spatial organisation follows a clear horizontal logic. Communal functions are anchored on the ground level, while the private family areas are lifted above.
Above Clean-cut steel, stone and timber define the circulation space, emphasised by its generous proportions as well as controlled lighting
Above A stone-clad entry portal framed by a timber lining marks the transition from garden to interior
Clean-cut steel, stone and timber define the circulation space, emphasised by its generous proportions as well as controlled lighting
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Above The Interwined Residence’s double-height living room in daylight reveals layered circulation, with the staircase and upper bridge overlooking the shared space
The Interwined Residence’s double-height living room in daylight reveals layered circulation, with the staircase and upper bridge overlooking the shared space
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At the centre of the house is a double-height common hall that spans 14 metres without columns. Fully glazed, it connects the entrance, sunken seating area and backyard in a continuous sequence. This space acts as the social core, accommodating shared meals, extended family gatherings and everyday encounters. “I wanted the two families to cross paths not because they have to, but because the house makes it natural,” explains Thengono.
Service areas are pushed into a semi-basement below, keeping daily operations discreet while preserving openness at ground level. Circulation routes are layered, ensuring that shared spaces remain generous without overwhelming the more intimate zones above.
Above A dark-toned kitchen overlooks the double-volume living space, where timber and white-painted surfaces create contrast
A dark-toned kitchen overlooks the double-volume living space, where timber and white-painted surfaces create contrast
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Above Light-coloured dining chairs and pendant lights contrast with the dark-finished kitchen beyond
Above Subtle cove lighting enhances the atmosphere of this sitting area, with views extending towards the greenery outside
Light-coloured dining chairs and pendant lights contrast with the dark-finished kitchen beyond
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Layered Autonomy
Flanking the central hall are two concrete volumes positioned at the front and rear of the site. Each houses a fully self-contained family unit, including a main suite, two children’s bedrooms, living room and service areas. Functionally, each wing operates like an independent apartment. Connection occurs overhead via a bridge that links the family rooms of both households.
Woven screens by Byo Living line the bridge and upper-level spaces, filtering light while maintaining privacy. “The screens soften the separation. You are aware of the other side, but you still feel protected,” Thengono adds.
Above A smaller dining and living area is defined by woven screens, which filter the light while maintaining privacy
A smaller dining and living area is defined by woven screens, which filter the light while maintaining privacy
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Above The upper-floor living room is arranged to function as an independent apartment
Above A strip skylight allows light to filter into the sitting room, creating a gentle play of illumination
The upper-floor living room is arranged to function as an independent apartment
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The outdoor spaces echo this balance. The eastern terrace captures morning light around the pool, while the western courtyard remains shaded and enclosed. At the rear, a lightweight steel pavilion accommodates a gym and bar. Designed as a temporary structure, it reflects the family’s openness to future change.
Above A landscaped green yard separates the main residence from the gallery and gym at the rear of the site
A landscaped green yard separates the main residence from the gallery and gym at the rear of the site
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Both brothers are aged in their mid-30s, each with one child. Bedrooms were planned for two children per family, allowing for growth, while the pavilion can be dismantled or relocated as needs evolve. “We do not know what their lives will look like in 10 years,” Thengono notes. “So the house needed to make room for that uncertainty.”
Above The gallery slash gym at the rear of the site is designed as a lightweight structure that can be easily dismantled as the families expand
The gallery slash gym at the rear of the site is designed as a lightweight structure that can be easily dismantled as the families expand
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Material Logic
Beyond the site’s depth and narrow frontage, the most demanding challenge lay in construction. The house required the precise integration of three different structural systems: cast-in-place concrete for the family volumes, engineered glulam timber for the central span, and structural steel for the secondary elements and rear pavilion.
“Bringing concrete, glulam and steel together was the hardest part,” the architect admits. “Each material behaves differently, and some elements were prefabricated while others were built on site. The sequencing had to be right from the beginning.” The 14-metre glulam structure defines the common hall, contrasting with the solidity of the concrete wings.
Above This stylish ground-floor bedroom maintains privacy while opening directly to a planted courtyard
This stylish ground-floor bedroom maintains privacy while opening directly to a planted courtyard
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Above A freestanding bathtub is set against a natural stone wall with pronounced texture, lit by daylight from the skylight above
Above The toilet and shower are separated at the far end of the bathroom for privacy and clarity of use
A freestanding bathtub is set against a natural stone wall with pronounced texture, lit by daylight from the skylight above
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Produced locally using meranti timber, the engineered wood introduces warmth and tactility while signalling a broader ambition to expand the use of Indonesian materials in structural applications.
“Most of our timber ends up being used overseas,” Thengono says. “I really want local architecture to use the resources we already have.” Throughout the house, materials are largely locally sourced, from the palimanan stone and exposed concrete floors to carved timber details. Structure is left legible rather than concealed, reinforcing clarity in both construction and spatial hierarchy.
Above A double-bay walk-in wardrobe on the ground floor is conceived as a linear passage, framed by glass-fronted cabinetry and a warm timber lining
A double-bay walk-in wardrobe on the ground floor is conceived as a linear passage, framed by glass-fronted cabinetry and a warm timber lining
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Above Synthetic rattan panels were selected for their durability and the way they articulate light as it filters through
Above A floating vanity anchors the powder room, reinforcing the home’s clean-cut aesthetic
Synthetic rattan panels were selected for their durability and the way they articulate light as it filters through
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Furniture remains an evolving layer. While the architecture prioritises local materiality, Thengono is candid about the challenges of fully aligning furniture with the same ethos. “I really want to use local brands as much as possible,” he says.
“But the furniture industry still needs time. Coordination and detailing are not always there yet.” For now, the house incorporates pieces supplied by Laflo, Casa Italia and Dezign District, allowing the interior to develop gradually rather than forcing a complete local fit-out prematurely.
Above The outdoor dining terrace and sunken conversation pit frame the pool, forming a communal outdoor living zone
The outdoor dining terrace and sunken conversation pit frame the pool, forming a communal outdoor living zone
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With its disciplined zoning, layered circulation and material restraint, Intertwined Residence offers a measured response to shared living. It understands family not as a fixed condition, but as an evolving relationship, one that architecture can support through clarity, flexibility and care.
Above From the living room, the Intertwined Residence’s backyard gallery and gym is framed through full-height glazing, reinforcing the home’s visual continuity
From the living room, the Intertwined Residence’s backyard gallery and gym is framed through full-height glazing, reinforcing the home’s visual continuity
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Credits
Photography: Kung Photograph
Topics
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.
