Tropical House in 2050
Climate change, marked by rising global temperatures, unpredictable weather, and extreme flooding and droughts, continues to raise questions about the design of future tropical homes. Additionally, with a growing urban population, the challenges of environmental carrying capacity and land availability for settlements are becoming increasingly pressing.
Coulisse|INK's premium window covering products addressed this important issue in a discussion titled "Tropical House in 2050, Shall We Discuss and Imagining the Future?" held during The Colours of Indonesia 2024 event in Jakarta on Thursday (5/9/2024).
The discussion was part of a presentation by four interior designers from ID12 (Yuni Jie, Joke Roos, Viviane Faye, and Sammy H Syamsulhadi) who used Coulisse|INK's Motionblinds window coverings in their "Summer Home" themed projects.
The speakers, which included Rogier Krabbe, Coulisse's Asia Pacific Managing Director, Jenfilia Suwandi, Coulisse Indonesia's Director, and architect Ari Juwono, founder of The Colours of Indonesia, agreed that the core of residential design, whether in tropical or other climates, is the reduction of carbon emissions, the root cause of pollution, climate change, and global warming.
The concept of biophilic design, which aims to harmonize the relationship between nature, humans, and buildings, was mentioned in the context of interior and architectural design. However, questions arose about the relevance of this design approach, given the increasing availability of plants that can purify the air and produce more oxygen.
Bioclimatic design, which adapts the design of spaces to the microclimate around a building, was also discussed. The focus of this design approach is to reduce conventional energy consumption and shift towards renewable energy sources, such as solar panels.
Additionally, the emergence of 3D printing technology now allows for faster construction of homes, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. There are also ideas about using building materials that can reduce the carbon footprint and support environmental sustainability, such as maximizing the use of local materials or choosing construction materials produced in a more eco-friendly manner.
The speakers emphasized the importance of creativity and wisdom in the selection of materials for tropical home design to avoid excessive or unnecessary designs. Coulisse's products are designed to address three key issues: climate change, technological advancements, and well-being, with the company's design principles focusing on being smart and functional, beautiful and wellness-oriented, and having a positive impact on the planet.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of design features such as ample openings and cross-ventilation to maximize natural lighting and cooling, reducing the reliance on air conditioning and contributing to energy savings and emission reductions.
Overall, the speakers agreed that the future of tropical home design should lean towards simplicity, practicality, and a "back to nature" approach, where the design responds to environmental conditions, whether through technology or not, and encourages inhabitants to adopt a more sustainable and climate-conscious lifestyle.
