Metaphor Interior Architecture is a Jakarta-based interior design consultant firm with clients from various parts of the world. The company is an ensemble of creative individuals with the same passion and goal of providing the best design solutions, including in The Zora Kanade cluster. Christine, senior associate of the company, leads the design for Kanade Type 12. Here are the excerpts of our discussion.
Written by Iman Hidajat
What briefs were given to you to arrange the interior of this house?
Prior to designing Kanade Cluster, I had already done the Samasana Club House, located at The Zora. So basically, I’ve got a general sense of what the developer wanted with the design in the Kanade Cluster. I just continued the concept of what I’ve been working on at Samasana Club House with its three show unit houses in the Kanade Cluster.
How did you initially approach these briefs?
With the high-end target market and different price ranges in the three housing units, we processed the data and determined what sort of interior design concept matched their needs. That’s why we created different design concepts in the three show unit houses. There must be a Japanese feel along the way, following the high-end and modern target market.
How do you translate the Japanese philosophy into your design?
Along with the process, the concept of this Japanese philosophy was twisted to accommodate a more modern and high-end feature that fits The Zora’s target market. The Japanese philosophy that we take here is more towards ‘balancing.’ Just like the Zen philosophy, there is a balance in the use of colours and materials with the composition of the room so as to create an ambiance.
Can you elaborate the balance in designing the interior?
All the rooms in the housing unit are decorated according to the function of the space. We wanted to provide a balance, for example, between the living room and the dining room, and there’s a large space in the middle. That’s how we balance all areas in one room zoning. Also we are partnering with Henco Home Decor in providing the furniture we designed.
How about the use of colours that balance the composition of the room?
The main colours used here are earth tones, such as brown or gray, but we add the accents, such as burnt orange, a dash of teal and a combination of the two. Perhaps orange is not an identical to the Japanese element, but teal or olive are still related to the nature that we can take from the leaf colours.
How did you utilise these colours accents?
We twisted these colours to create a modern impression. We know that Japanese prefers a simple ambience. But, the target market demands something more luxurious, so we twisted the colors to create a uniquely modern atmosphere.
What is the common thread for the interior concept of these three show unit houses?
There is no common thread amongst these three units. In terms of interior, these three units have different concepts adjusting to their respective target markets. For example, the Type 12 unit is for a more mature market whom prioritized luxury. The Type 8+ and Type 10 have younger looks, some are simply intended for young families.
How did you make each unit type interesting to see and feel?
We understand that everyone has a different style. So, we grabbed more style desires from the consumers. The next step is implementing the needs of each customer into our designs. This way, each unit is designed with different colour and concept.
What materials are used in designing the house?
We have adjusted the usages of the materials we use, although we still pay attention to the aesthetics. The selection of solid surface, marble, or laminate that we use will certainly be easy maintenance.