ROOFTOP PROJECT IN JAKARTA:
A NATURAL OASIS OF CALM TO INSPIRE GREENER CITIES

In the sprawling metropolitan city of Jakarta, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing of Indonesia is headquartered in a 20-floor building. The Ministry wanted to build an outdoor rooftop area that would provide an oasis of natural calm high above the concrete jungle — a common space for the building’s tenants to breathe fresh air and seek tranquility. The space was conceptualised in alignment with biophilic principles, the idea that human beings are intrinsically drawn to nature. It was essential that the rooftop garden was able to mimic natural, outdoor spaces. XYLO worked in collaboration with the architect and contractors to design a space that highlights the beauty of natural wood grains, transforming the area into a haven of comfort and warmth. The entire space is built with a conscious selection of environmentally friendly materials with low carbon emissions, instead of high carbon materials such as metal, aluminium, and plastic. The structures were designed sustainably to reduce waste onsite, including modular components that are pre-cut to the correct size during the manufacturing process. The project was completed within two weeks and highlights that wood can be easy to assemble and construct when using thoughtful modular design that starts from the manufacturing process itself. The wood used is strong and durable, with exceptional performance even when exposed to the humid tropical weather, varying temperatures, and rainfall in Jakarta. The space encourages the respect and appreciation of natural beauty, bringing natural materials into an urban context. This project is also a shining beacon of greener cities, and part of an emerging push towards sustainable, affordable approaches to urban architecture in Indonesia.