Shelters on Slope (SS) Garden by RAD+ar (Research Artistic Design + architecture)

Shelters on Slope (SS) Garden is a visionary project located in the heart of Jakarta’s bustling business district, consisting of four distinct shelter volumes carefully positioned atop a sunken, layered garden. The design integrates commercial functionality with a strong ecological and spatial ethos, creating a dynamic third space where visitors can escape the intensity of the urban environment. The sloped green roof garden serves as a multifunctional layer, accommodating diverse activities while establishing a continuous dialogue with the surrounding natural and urban landscape.

Spatial Concept and Design Strategy

The architecture explores spatial innovation and flexibility, emphasizing structures that challenge conventional commercial architecture and integrate seamlessly with nature. By situating the shelters within a sunken garden, the project creates a hierarchy of spaces that range from intimate, enclosed areas to expansive communal zones. This layering establishes a series of thresholds, gradually revealing the garden and architectural interventions while providing thermal comfort and natural ventilation in Jakarta’s tropical climate.

The central concept revolves around a meandering sunken courtyard, which guides visitors from the ground entrance through sculptural pathways to the inner court. Elevated seating areas offer unobstructed views of the garden and urban lake, enhancing the immersive experience. High, curved ceilings taper naturally toward exterior vistas, drawing attention outward and fostering a deep connection between interior spaces and the surrounding environment.

Integration with Nature

Nature plays a central role in the architectural experience. The shelters feature green roofs that slope and cascade, creating breaks and setbacks that facilitate airflow, improve shading, and visually connect the front boulevard to the urban lake at the rear. Translucent ceilings merge with vibrant vegetation, producing a richly textured microcosm of pocket landscapes designed for reflection, relaxation, and engagement.

The project embodies the philosophy that architecture should interact with, rather than compete with, the landscape. The building is partially embedded into the terrain, while the roof garden ascends naturally, offering panoramic views and reinforcing the continuity between built form and nature. Every element is meticulously designed to preserve unobstructed sightlines while enhancing visual and physical connections to the environment.

Program and Functionality

The program is carefully organized across ground and upper ground levels to maximize spatial efficiency and flexibility. Cantilevered shelter volumes frame 360-degree views of both the urban boulevard and tranquil river, establishing a fluid relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design accommodates various temporary functions, allowing spaces to adapt to seasonal or programmatic changes. Interiors emphasize transparency, openness, and natural light, while materials and finishes prioritize comfort, sustainability, and a harmonious dialogue with greenery.

Cultural and Experiential Anchors

Drawing inspiration from traditional Indonesian gardens, the sunken courtyard functions as a contemporary grotto-like experience, balancing intimacy and scale. Visitors journey through a sequence of concentric spaces, gradually entering a central garden that anchors communal activity. The spatial choreography evokes images of hanging gardens, encouraging a sensory-rich exploration that blends architecture, nature, and social interaction.

Architectural Impact

Shelters on Slope (SS) Garden demonstrates how innovative, context-sensitive design can transform urban spaces. The architecture establishes a prototype for sustainable urban gardens and flexible commercial spaces, proving that built forms can coexist with, rather than dominate, natural surroundings. Through its sculptural forms, layered gardens, and careful attention to sightlines and environmental integration, the project delivers a unique experience of immersion, contemplation, and engagement, redefining the potential of public and semi-public spaces in dense urban districts.

Photography: Mario Wibowo