Svarga Cilimus House by PSA Studio: A Contemporary Villa in the Rice Fields of West Java

Nestled in the serene landscape of Cilimus, Kuningan, West Java, Indonesia, the Svarga Cilimus House by PSA Studio is a contemporary two-bedroom villa designed as an intimate retreat away from the fast-paced life of Jakarta. Completed in 2022, this 276 m² residence embraces its natural surroundings while offering modern comforts and uninterrupted views of the majestic Ciremai Mountain.

Context and Setting

The villa is situated on a 2,300 m² rice field, surrounded by a local farming village where rice cultivation shapes daily life. Respecting its environment, the house minimizes its footprint on the land while maximizing exposure to the natural scenery. The uninterrupted mountain views and vast rice fields form the project’s main architectural inspiration, creating a dialogue between contemporary tropical design and rural tradition.

Design Concept

PSA Studio envisioned Svarga Cilimus House as a getaway destination—just a three-hour drive from Jakarta—where tranquility meets architecture. The residence is carefully positioned along the width of the site, ensuring every room captures views of Ciremai Mountain. The elongated, slender building mass allows sunlight to flood interiors, enhancing spatial quality and reducing artificial lighting needs.

On the mountain-facing side, full-height glass panels open interiors to panoramic landscapes, blurring boundaries between indoors and outdoors. On the street-facing side, privacy is maintained with a continuous clay tile roof, echoing the material language of surrounding village houses while shielding the home from external gaze.

Materiality and Construction

Material selection emphasizes honesty and connection to context. The dominant clay roof responds to the vernacular tradition of nearby residences. Steel structures ensure durability and efficient construction, while glass walls maximize transparency and natural light. Concrete floors and walls provide a neutral, grounding base that balances the warmth of natural textures.

By raising the villa above ground level, PSA Studio creates a floating effect above the rice fields, reinforcing the sense of retreat while protecting the building from potential flooding. The single sweeping roof form unifies the entire program—from car porch and fishpond to dining, kitchen, and bedrooms—enhancing visual continuity.

A Contemporary Tropical Response

Svarga Cilimus House demonstrates a contemporary tropical design approach, where openness, shading, and material expression work harmoniously with the environment. Instead of overpowering its rural setting, the villa blends into the cultural and natural landscape, offering an architectural sanctuary that celebrates both privacy and openness.

All Photographs are works of Mario Wibowo