HOUSE AWASI
Lombok, Indonesia
2024
House Awasi draws its character from the earthy and rugged landscape of Lombok. Set high on a steep hillside overlooking the ocean, its form emerges from the contours of the land, stepping and shifting with the terrain. The program is organized predominantly across the lower level, where the house unfolds along the slope. The upper level is reserved for the main entrance and master bedroom, giving these spaces a more private and elevated position. The master bedroom and living areas are oriented toward the east, taking advantage of the site's most open views toward the ocean, while the secondary bedrooms face southwest.
The name Awasi was chosen from the beginning, and it became an important starting point for the architectural concept. The recurring diagonal lines throughout the house are an interpretation of this idea. Materiality reinforces the relationship between the house and its surroundings. The natural stone is sourced locally in Lombok, allowing the building to settle into the earthy tones of the landscape. In contrast, the architecture is defined by sharper geometry, with straight lines, strong diagonals, and a pronounced roof edge establishing a clear intervention into the natural terrain. Ulin wood is used extensively throughout the house, from the ceilings to the custom-designed screens crafted by Indonesian artisans. Traditional timber shingles were cut and adapted into thin architectural elements on screens, handrails, and ceilings. The exceptional strength and durability of ulin allows it to be used for these thin, delicate filtering elements.
At the heart of the project is the clients' desire for a home centered around shared experiences. A Belgian couple in their mid-fifties, they envisioned Lombok as a place to spend time with family and friends. The house therefore creates generous social spaces, balanced by warmer and more private bedrooms. House Awasi settles into the hillside through its materiality and stepped form, while creating a subtle intervention into the landscape.
