Identifying Space Grammar in the Unit Plans of High-rise Apartments in Indonesia

Abstract

Rapid population growth and severe traffic congestion in Jakarta have encouraged the government to introduce the concept of transit oriented development (TOD), which has led to the active constructions of high-rise apartments. To understand the distinctive features of Indonesian high-rise apartments, total 86 unit plans from 20 high-rise apartment projects were analyzed and a field survey was conducted in August 2017. This study employed Seo’s (2007a; 2007b) graph-theoretic methodology to analyze the spatial configurations of the unit plans. The major results are as follows. First, the most prominent order of primary spaces found in these cases was Entrance-Kitchen-Dining-Living-balcony. In this arrangement, the kitchen is located near the entrance, unlike the layout of traditional houses where the kitchen is placed away from the entrance. Second, the public and private spaces are clearly separated, which is a reflection of Western layouts, and of the traditional layout of Indonesian houses where there was a clear separation of public and private spaces. Third, the guest area (GA), the most unique space in Indonesian houses, was not found in all cases as a consequence of space limitations. It is expected to develop unit plans that carefully reflect Indonesian life patterns and housing needs.