The Area and Building Design Concept Competition at IKN Nusantara, held in March 2022, awarded Urbane Indonesia with 3rd place for their innovative Regional and Building Design Concepts for Legislative Office Complexes. The design concept for the legislative building focused on the challenging terrain of the site, characterized by undulating topography with dominant hills instead of flat land. Due to this unique landscape and the presence of eucalyptus trees, the buildings were elevated on pilotis or platforms to minimize disruption to the terrain and enhance the natural ecosystem. The design meticulously integrated water elements to support the local ecosystem.
Pedestrian and bicycle decks were landscaped to immerse users in the natural environment, whether in open areas or beneath the buildings among the piloti columns. The legislative complex comprised four main buildings: the plenary session hall, the People’s Representative Council (DPR), the Regional Representative Council (MPR), and the Regional Representative Council (DPD). These buildings were strategically grouped into circular clusters to facilitate interaction and efficiency, with the plenary session hall at the center.
The circular layout symbolized inclusivity and equality, echoing the tradition of gathering in circles for dialogue and consensus-building. The clustered buildings optimized circulation, building systems, and user orientation. Clear wayfinding systems ensured seamless interaction between the three legislative bodies, promoting efficient utilization of shared spaces such as prayer rooms, meeting rooms, and more.
The radial placement of buildings on the site aligned with the imaginary axis of the IKN masterplan. The iconic design of the plenary session hall resembled a flower petal crown, symbolizing Indonesia’s natural wealth, goodness, and beauty. This symbolism reflected the legislative’s commitment to making decisions that benefit society. The upward-opening petals represented the legislature’s openness to input and needs from all Indonesian citizens. Crafted from specially designed plates with intricate patterns and the finest structure, the crown exemplified craftsmanship on par with the nation’s best sculptors.
Green Concept Diagram
Natural light and ventilation. Natural lighting and ventilation are obtained by making a slender building that allows for green space (inner court) between building spaces. The corridor between spaces is made wide enough to allow for voids for natural lighting and ventilation.
Water management in the building. Water that falls in the area will be channeled through a natural drainage system in the form of a bioswale and then directed to retention ponds spread across several of the lowest points in the area.
Secondary skin. The secondary skin facade is used not only to provide a strong building expression but also to reduce the penetration of sunlight and its radiation into the room. The secondary skin pattern is inspired by the woven form characteristic of Nusantara crafts.
Photovoltaic roof. On the roof of the circular building, Sunlight-photovoltaic panels are installed to increase the building’s energy resources.
Landscape Concept Diagram
Tropical forests to urban forests. Creating a living environment provides new energy while maintaining and preserving its wealth. Planning to increase the biodiversity of the tropical forest ecosystem among the dominant existing Eucalyptus Globulus trees is an effort to improve the ecological quality of the area which also functions as a carbon storage stock.
Addition of tropical forest vegetation from rare Indonesian plant species as a conservation effort. With a ratio of 50% native/endemic plants of Kalimantan (Eucalyptus Globulus), 50% conservation of rare Indonesian plants in the division of the area zone refers to the distribution of Weber-Transitional-Wallace vegetation.
Active plaza and park. The hilltop with a gentle contour has the potential to be a viewing plaza or active park. Integrated with a comfortable pedestrian path surrounding the site and some are under the building. The path is 3 meters wide with seating facilities every 100 meters. The path is placed in a pilot manner lifted from the ground and there is not much interference with the contour of the area.
Tropical forest biodiversity. The lowest level is used as a retention pond and reservoir for the overflow of the building’s rainwater storage tank and natural drainage of the site through a bioswale connected to the blue network of the area. All water reservoirs are connected to the planning of wetland vegetation which functions as a natural water filter and a route for the movement of wetland ecosystem animals. The wetland ecosystem offers blue corridor management as a natural boundary and protection against possible site fires.
Water Sensitive Urban Design. Re-processing water in buildings and areas is used to form micro-ecosystems in buildings and areas so that it can replace the potential area used by buildings.
Other images can be seen in the gallery down below
Location: Nusantara Capital City
Site area: 41,94 Ha
Year: 2022
Client: Kemenpupr
Project type: Architecture, Planning
Categories: Office
Architect: Urbane Indonesia
Images: ©Urbane Indonesia
About Urbane Indonesia
Urbane Indonesia, established in Bandung in June 2004, is a multidisciplinary firm specializing in architecture, urban design, and interior design. Co-founded by Ridwan Kamil, recipient of the Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the British Council Indonesia in 2006, along with Achmad D. Tardiyana, Reza A. Nurtjahja, and Irvan P. Darwis, the firm embodies a commitment to innovative problem-solving in design within both architectural and urban contexts.
Driven by a shared idealism, Urbane Indonesia's team focuses on addressing design challenges while prioritizing sustainability and the creation of environmentally conscious spaces. During his time as city mayor and governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil brought Urbane Indonesia's idealism that underscores the significance of sustainable development and user-centric design in shaping policies.
Urbane Indonesia has a diverse portfolio that extends across Indonesia, featuring noteworthy projects such as Nipah Park in Makassar, Al Jabbar Mosque, Bella Terra Lifestyle Center in Kelapa Gading, and Merusaka Nusa Dua in Bali. Many of these projects have garnered national and international recognitions, including the Al Irsyad Mosque in Kota Baru Parahyangan with the 2011 BCI Asia Green Building Award and the 2018 IAI Award, alongside the United Tractors project, which received the 2021 IAI Award.
The design process includes a balance between logical-rational and intuitive-creative aspects of problem solving. Initially, during the planning stage, the architectural team at Urbane Indonesia will carefully investigate the problem definition while collecting relevant information. This logical-rational approach involves systematic analysis and research to understand the intricacies of existing challenges. At the same time, the intuitive-creative aspect comes into play when designers look for innovative solutions. Through discussion and analysis of ideas, we explore creativity to develop new perspectives.
When the design process moves to the implementation stage, a collaborative and innovative process will form. Collaboration is a key component to encourage dynamic problem solving. The architectural team presents their ideas and then receives input from colleagues and clients. This collaborative exchange of insights and perspectives drives innovation and the evolution of design solutions. In addition, effective management of this process ensures that feedback leads to refinements and improvements to the final design. Thus, the design process will integrate logical-rational planning with intuitive-creative ideation, culminating in innovative and collaborative solutions.
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