PituRooms | Ary Indra

Standing on a narrow 2.8 by 12-metre terrain that used to be a neighbourhood dumping ground, a slender  hotel was constructed as an effort to introduce contemporary hospitality in Salatiga, Indonesia. With 200.000 people living in cool climate due to its elevated position of 600 m from sea level, this town in Central Java is blessed with vast view of surrounding mountain and lake. With only 7 rooms of different theme, the hotel is a new beacon with its rooftop lounge becomes a hotspot to enjoy natural attraction amidst predominantly low rise buildings. It's been dubbed the skinniest hotel ever.

Project Key Point

This too narrow plot of land was in the market for long with no taker, as the width is too small for carpark and other support needed for residential or commercial purpose. The new owner appeal for waiver to build higher  to compensate the lack of floor plate. It was granted with strict guideline.

Positioned between a 3 meter wide alley,  a neighbour garden and surrounding houses, the design started with deliberate choice to preserve a stretch of an old perimeter wall, dated back from early 20th century as part of its narrative.  This prove to be tricky during construction, as piling works was not allowed due to the wall condition and the fear of damaging adjacent road and walls. Conventional deep well foundation was then applied in order to negotiate with allowable working space and shallow ground water while still providing ample stability to avoid twisting force on this thin building. A meticulous details intertwine between existing walls, deep sub-structures and  reclaiming its original boundary line by bending the building outward on the 2nd floor upward.

The architecture was decidedly very functional, with machinery and service room on top articulated with cantilevers steel grating as building expression.  A gill like feature on its Esatern façade provide regular opening on its red agra stone façade, allowing natural ventilation within the circulation area,

As every centimeter consider worthy, the layout of 2 rooms positioned at every end of buildings length was an obvious choice; while steel staircases and grating slopes  were designed to comfortably (and transparently) connect its split level floor.

A 75 cm diameter tube vacuum lift with acrylic wall is inserted within the only left over space between rear side rooms and staircase, providing usability for disable as well as a mean to transport luggage .

Innovation

An odd shape/dimension plot of land as a product of outdated land regulation, unplanned urban growth and (in this case) distribution of families in heritage was a common problem in small town of Indonesia. The lack of reference and the strict red-tape procedure resulting on this land is difficult to develop and being left as dumping ground;  creating unsightly feature in urban scape. This project set example of how to turn this limitation into potential, by involving certain amount of consideration, presenting design approach to building regulator committee to manoeuvre within building regulation in order to produce economically and socially beneficial building.

In term of design, in order to qualify the operational of a ‘hotel’, there are observation of how the ideal comfortable size of room relates to the formation of micro room in this building. With a size of only 2,8 x 3 x 2,4 (in height), each room has the ability to provide intimate shell of primitive sleeping nest while still addressing modern living with its compact yet fully equipped amenities in its interior The addition of various original artwork in each room, introduce even more personal touch, and act as a starting point of each different theme. Connecting this rooms, floating steps and narrow corridor of 90cm width steel grating as flooring, create a see-trough effect within the building 6 storeys circulation area. Intended to enlarge the limited space, this kind of openness also prove to be functional to generate air stream from gaps between external wall and opaque canopy on each floor.

Architecture as a locomotive of progress is such an alien idea in a town dominated by conventional building. PituRooms set an alternative for a small town development, which output could be valuable for both land owner and the improvement of town in general. Operating it solely as ‘hotel’ will not be sustainable; as concept and architecture will not be adequate to attract people in a long term. PituRooms strength is in its regular programme that invite guest to be involve in its initiative to involve member of community to further explore the prospective future of Salatiga. Creative workshop walking tour, cross country run exploring the hidden trail that close to its nature are some of its regular agenda that prove to be hits and benefiting people around town economically. This could be applied in similar small town across Asia Pacific.

Architect: Sahabat Selojene

Principal Architect: Ary Indra

Architect of Record: Studio MMAR

Structure Engineer: PT. Cipta Sukses

Principal Engineer: Anwar Susanto

Mechanical & Electrical: Eranto Prasetyadi

Builder: Eranto Prasetyadi

Photography: Ernest Theophilus

Photography: Martin Westlake

Photography: David Permadi