Bumi Pakubuwono by WOFF: A Masterful Adaptive Reuse Project in Jakarta

A Sustainable Architectural Dialogue Between Heritage and Modernity

Reconnecting a Village Through Architecture

In the heart of Le Grand Lemps, a small French village nestled between heritage adobe buildings, Brenas Doucerain Architectes has created a thoughtful architectural intervention that redefines how educational architecture can harmonize with the past. The Elementary School at Le Grand Lemps (completed in 2020) establishes a bridge between tradition and modernity—literally and metaphorically—through a carefully composed wooden structure that unites two existing school wings around a central courtyard.

Bumi Pakubuwono by WOFF Architects is a striking example of adaptive reuse architecture that reimagines a three-story office building into a vibrant creative lifestyle compound. Situated in the heart of Jakarta’s Kebayoran Baru district, the project elegantly balances heritage and modernity, integrating nature, materials, and human experience into a cohesive design that resonates with the city’s evolving urban landscape.

Embracing the Elements of Nature

The design of Bumi Pakubuwono draws inspiration from its name, “Bumi,” which means earth in Indonesian. Each material choice—water, plants, stone, brick, soil, and grass—guides both the architectural language and the sensory experience of the compound:

• Water flows through the site in reflective pools and pathways, promoting calmness and movement.
• Plants and greenery blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, creating soft thresholds and vibrant outdoor terraces.
• Stone and brick anchor the architecture, lending texture, warmth, and a tangible connection to the earth.
• Soil and grass support rooftop gardens and communal spaces, enhancing biodiversity and natural cooling.

This thoughtful material strategy transforms the building into more than a commercial hub—it becomes an immersive urban oasis where architecture and nature coexist harmoniously.

Reconnecting the Building to Its Urban Context

Set 35 meters back from the main road, the existing structure posed a unique design challenge. WOFF responded with a four-meter-wide elevated bridge that acts not just as a circulation path, but as a lush promenade lined with tropical gardens. This green arrival experience reconnects the building to the street and invites visitors into a welcoming, nature-infused environment.

Rooftop gardens extend the experience, providing shaded seating areas that improve thermal comfort while reducing heat gain. These outdoor spaces not only encourage social interaction but also reflect the project’s commitment to sustainable urban design.

Sustainable Design and Comfort

Bumi Pakubuwono emphasizes natural ventilation and daylighting, reducing dependence on artificial systems. By optimizing cross-ventilation and natural lighting, the project enhances occupant well-being and minimizes environmental impact. The thoughtful integration of greenery and passive design strategies results in a healthy, functional, and restorative environment.

A Reimagined Relationship Between Architecture and Nature

More than a renovation, Bumi Pakubuwono represents a rethinking of urban architecture. By embedding the elements of earth into its design, WOFF has created a space that is grounding, enriching, and inspiring. Visitors and occupants experience a deepened connection to the natural environment, while everyday life is enhanced through carefully crafted, human-centered spaces.

All photographs are works of Arti Pictures - William Sutanto