rumah Turi is originally a traditional family home located in Turisari kampong, in Solo. Just like other village houses, the house includes:

• A main building called joglo (semi public area) and latar (a yard for playing and interacting with others)
• A garden (kebon) for outdoor activities and for productive plants, such as vegetables and fruits, herbs and spices (empon-empon), as well as flowers
• An open bathing area (senthong) and paringgitan. These two spaces do not exist in the building anymore
• A master bedroom (dalem) and children’s bedroom (gandhok)

At rumah Turi, the joglo, latar and kebon have been re-designed to become a compact unit without affecting the essential function of these spaces. In designing rumah Turi, we made some slight adjustments to the original layout of the house:

• The joglo is represented by the front space of the parking area and the garden, while the kedai turi (restaurant) functions as a public dining room and living room, library and internet centre. At the back is a space that includes a multi-function stage used for cultural and dancing activities
• In the kebon, we have created a vertical garden for vegetables and herbal medicine plants
• The dalem are represented by the guest rooms

Building materials
Almost all timber used in the construction of rumah Turi is recycled. Most of it originates from the remains of the Hotel Sheraton Yogyakarta after it was destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 2006.

Efficiency measures

WATER. Gray water and rainwater is filtered successively in a special tank, in the garden and then again through a mechanical process so that it can be used again to water the garden, artificial rain and for flushing toilets. When the surge tanks are full, surplus water is directed to the neighborhood sewers.

HEATING. We use solar panels to heat water (saving electricity) on the rooftop, which then gravitates naturally to the rooms (no pump needed!).

ENERGY. Almost all lamps are LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), which only use 20-30 % of electricity compared to halogen and standard light bulbs.

COOLING. We have designed rumah Turi in such a way that the interior is ventilated by natural air flow, reducing the heat that is typical of this part of the world. Cross ventilation below the roof and in each room keeps these spaces cool during the day. Meanwhile, the roof garden and artificial rain also helps to cool the temperature.

LOCAL GROWTH. The landscape at rumah Turi consists of “hanging” gardens with vegetables (used for cooking), medicinal plants and fruits and flowers. The vertical garden also helps to filter the air and to beautify the space.