Nickhel Home by Helen Agustine Studio: Sustainable Tropical Residences in South Tangerang

Harmonizing Family Life and Nature in a Tropical Climate

Nickhel Home, designed by Helen Agustine Studio, is an innovative residential project comprising two connected houses on adjacent corner lots in South Tangerang, Indonesia. Conceived as both a family home and a retreat, the design emphasizes intimacy, privacy, and a deep connection to the tropical environment. The first house accommodates Helen Agustine’s family of five, while the second home serves as a comfortable and accessible retreat for her grandmother.

The homes are thoughtfully linked by an inner courtyard, providing a seamless connection between spaces while allowing each dwelling to retain privacy and autonomy. This thoughtful approach integrates family living with the serenity of tropical landscapes.

Thoughtful Spatial Design and Family-Centric Layouts

The main residence, a two-story home, is designed to foster closer family relationships while minimizing maintenance needs. Its layout includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home office, and a service area. The open-plan communal area—combining living, dining, and kitchen spaces—emphasizes fluidity and connection.

Visitors experience the house through a compression-and-expansion concept. A subtle, low-ceiling foyer frames a narrow view of the swimming pool, gradually opening into a bright, spacious living and dining area that connects with two intimate gardens. This design enhances privacy, natural light, and ventilation, while subtly defining spaces without the need for walls.

Privacy and Small-Scale Hospitality

Understanding the family’s introverted lifestyle, the home is intentionally unsuited for large gatherings, instead designed for small, intimate interactions. Variations in floor levels between living and dining areas create subtle separations, enhancing comfort and privacy. Surrounding gardens act as a natural buffer, sloping upward to shield the home from neighboring views, ensuring a peaceful tropical oasis.

Accessible and Comfortable Retreat for the Elderly

The grandmother’s residence is a single-story, elderly-friendly home that prioritizes accessibility. An ironwood ramp ensures smooth entry, while the home includes a living and dining area with a higher ceiling, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a caregiver’s room. The inner courtyard connects the two homes, allowing sunlight, ventilation, and tropical weather to enhance the daily experience of its occupants.

Sustainable Design and Natural Materials

Sustainability lies at the heart of Nickhel Home. Generous windows on all sides optimize natural cross-ventilation, while the use of raw materials, including exposed ironwood and wood-grain concrete, celebrates natural aging and texture. Handcrafted details, such as three-dimensional rattan weaving, enrich the interiors and exteriors, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design.

A chemical-free mini swimming pool, made with locally sourced Sukabumi stone, adds soothing water sounds and creates a safe, family-friendly environment. Interior walls clad in sustainable engineered wood provide warmth, while exposed concrete floors contrast subtly, balancing modernity with natural aesthetics. Textiles like curtains, rugs, and bedding are crafted from organic cotton and linen, ensuring comfort, breathability, and sustainability.

A Timeless and Personal Architectural Statement

Serving as both architect and homeowner, Helen Agustine navigated continuous experimentation with materials and forms, refining designs through multiple iterations. This process produced a home that emphasizes simplicity, natural beauty, and material authenticity, resulting in a timeless residence that harmonizes family life, tropical climate, and sustainable living.

All photographs are  works of Arte Haus