Rumah Fajar by Studio Jencquel

_project: Rumah Fajar
_architecture: Studio Jencquel
_location: Bali, Insonesia

Rumah Fajar, which translates to 'Dawn House', is not just another piece of architecture; it is an embodiment of emotions, culture, and innovation. Residing in this architectural marvel brings out a plethora of feelings - from excitement to euphoria, fear to joy, and gratitude to awe. For its dwellers, Rumah Fajar was not merely a house made of bricks and mortar, but a sanctuary filled with memories and emotions.

When asked about the experience of living in Rumah Fajar, a dweller responded, “How to describe that which is not tangible? Living in Rumah Fajar is a reflection of life itself... The design was therefore complete in that it allowed the space to fulfil its function, not simply as a house constructed from materials, but as a home."

At its core, the design of Rumah Fajar is a harmonious amalgamation of Contemporary Architecture and traditional Balinese elements. Drawing a parallel to the culinary world, the dweller pointed out, “Imagine you were to ask Alain Ducasse, a well-known French chef, to cook a duck in a restaurant in Peking... You would want him to use local ingredients and create something new that would emerge from the blend of two cultures." In a similar vein, Rumah Fajar's foundation boasts a resilient steel structure designed to precision, mirroring the timber pillars of the traditional Balinese longhouse, suggesting a form of modern vernacular.

However, it's not just the architectural fusion that stands out; the spirituality of the house is palpable. The journey begins right at the entrance, greeted by an understated Balinese door known as “angkulangkul”. Flanking this entrance are the Men Brayut, guardian statues blessing all visitors with strength, fertility, and prosperity. A little ahead stands a “candi” or shrine, playing the role of an “aling-aling”—a feature meant to deflect and puzzle unwelcome spirits.

The entrance to the house itself is via a winding bridge that floats above a vast koi pond. This zigzag path, designed with the intent of confusing spirits, also gives a sensation of entering a protective treehouse-castle. As the dweller aptly notes, "The house is accessed by a sinuous bridge hovering above a large koi pond; a zigzag path designed not only to confuse spirits but to give one the elevated sense of entering a tree house with a castlelike feeling of protection."

Rumah Fajar is not just an architectural wonder but a space where modern design meets tradition, where emotions reside, and where spirituality permeates every corner. It is a home that truly captures the essence of both the tangible and intangible.

_article written by Daniela Moreira da Silva
_film by Architecture Hunter, Eye Sky & Christian Lombardi
_cover and images 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 by Tommaso Riva
_images 5 and 8 by Maximilian Jencquel

_drawings by Studio Jencquel

1. Section

2. Site Plan

3. Ground Floor Plan

4. Facade

5. First Floor Plan