During the pandemic, the architect Ary Indra made the decision to move back to his hometown of Salatiga. Despite maintaining his position as one of the principals at Aboday Architects in Jakarta, his creative aspirations led him to venture into other projects under his own company, Sahabat Selojene, with PituRooms hotel being the most iconic project. As Indonesia Design had the opportunity to stay at this hotel, Ary generously shared fascinating insights into the backstory of Indonesia’s skinniest hotel.
Why did you decide to build a hotel in Salatiga?
There were already a few hotels in the area, but I wanted to create one that could attract visitors seeking new experiences. PituRooms is not just a place for sleeping, but also offers high-quality facilities and services. Even though we only have seven guest rooms, I want everyone to repeat their stay in PituRooms not only for the architecture, but also for the comfort.
What is the concept of PituRooms?
PituRooms was developed with the idea of accommodating a narrow space, requiring us to optimise the building’s height within the limits set by the municipality. The design evolved from there, as we had to fit everything on a 2.8 x 9.5 sqm plot of land. I wanted to amplify how thin the land is by accentuating some vertical features on the façade and making the peak even narrower.
What were the most significant challenges of building this hotel?
Given the precious nature of every centimetre of the land, we had to eliminate everything that wasn’t necessary. We made the corridors as transparent as possible, providing visitors with expansive views in every direction to create a sense of spaciousness.
How long did it take to design and build the hotel?
The construction process took exactly one year, and an additional six months were dedicated to furnishing.
Can you tell us about your plan in developing PituRooms in the future?
Our plan is to develop PituRooms at a manageable and consistent pace. We aim for it to not only have a concept but also be financially sustainable. Our goal is to ensure profitability not only for stakeholders but also for the surrounding community, including neighbouring cities.”