Sustainable Commercial Garden Design: The Tanatap Wall Garden Café Restaurant and Bar by RAD+ar
This article delves into the Tanatap Wall Garden, a sustainable commercial garden design in Semarang by RAD+ar, blending nature and architecture.
The Tanatap Wall Garden Café Restaurant and Bar, situated in Semarang, Indonesia, showcases a revolutionary approach to sustainable commercial garden design. Conceptualized by RAD+ar (Research Artistic Design + architecture), this 2500 m² space is an artistic reflection on the evolving roles of walls and their contribution to contemporary architectural practice.




The Concept Behind Tanatap Wall Garden
Innovating with Walls and Nature
The design of Tanatap starts with a fundamental question: Can a commercial space transcend the basic architectural element of a wall? RAD+ar's answer was to create three distinct walls varying in height, weaving through the lush greenery of the site. This unique approach creates a series of interconnected indoor and outdoor spaces, redefining the boundaries between architecture and nature.





A Symphony of Spaces
The design strategy of Tanatap Wall Garden seamlessly blends areas of reflection, creativity, and communal gathering. Spaces such as the reflection entrance garden, the creative amphitheater, and the backyard garden are all intertwined with the site's existing trees, creating an organic flow that encourages exploration and interaction.





Sustainable Features of Tanatap Wall Garden
Creating an Ecological Oasis
Tanatap stands as a testament to ecological and sustainable commercial garden design. An 800 sqm oasis-like reflection garden acts as the main feature, serving as a water catchment area that allows the building to operate off-grid. This commitment to sustainability extends throughout the project, from rainwater harvesting to the integration of low-energy indoor areas.






A Hub for Community and Creativity
Beyond its environmental contributions, Tanatap serves as a cultural beacon in Semarang. It aims to host music and performance creative communities within its open theater-commercial garden setup, becoming a space where art, nature, and architecture coalesce.



Redefining Commercial Spaces
The Tanatap Wall Garden Café Restaurant and Bar reimagines what sustainable commercial garden design can be. By merging ecological values with post-modern design, RAD+ar has created not just a building but a destination that offers a new way to experience nature and community in an urban setting.






All photographs are work of Mario Wibowo