A groundbreaking commercial garden project called Shelters on Slope (SS) Garden has been completed in North Jakarta, Indonesia, showcasing an innovative approach to retail and dining architecture. Designed by RAD+ar (RADar), the project features four distinctive shelters embedded within a sunken, sloped green roof landscape that prioritizes natural integration, airflow, and climate-responsive design. The development represents a bold departure from conventional retail typologies by seamlessly aligning architectural form with environmental performance and enhanced public experience.
The architectural design strategically situates four shelter structures within a carefully layered garden that slopes gracefully downward toward an adjacent urban lake. This thoughtful arrangement not only preserves scenic views of the waterfront but also encourages natural ventilation to flow across the entire site. Elevated seating areas positioned above the garden connect directly to the water's edge, while the expansive green roof system provides essential protection from intense solar exposure typical of Jakarta's tropical climate. The sloped roof design creates strategic setbacks and visual breaks that establish a continuous link between the front boulevard and the lake, enabling seamless pedestrian movement and diverse spatial experiences throughout the complex.
The project's programming centers around a central communal courtyard, with circulation routes designed as a meandering sequence that guides visitors from the entrance through to the inner garden spaces. The ground-level drop-off area transitions smoothly into a welcoming reception and bar area, leading guests through a skylit lobby toward the main restaurant and central gathering space. High, curved ceilings taper outward to expertly frame panoramic views of the lake, while strategically placed skylights and openings ensure natural daylight penetrates deep into the interior spaces. This layered spatial organization successfully balances intimacy and openness, creating harmony between enclosed dining areas and open-air courtyards.
The architectural concept draws inspiration from the idea of "sunken ground," referencing both traditional Indonesian garden design principles and global landscape traditions where central outdoor spaces serve as anchors for social activity and community interaction. In this project, the sunken courtyard forms a natural focal point for gatherings and events, while the shelter volumes above cantilever dramatically outward to provide sweeping panoramic views across both the busy boulevard and the tranquil water. The design team at RADar has carefully arranged flexible zones throughout the complex to accommodate temporary programs and events, significantly enhancing the adaptability and versatility of the commercial garden space.
From a materials perspective, translucent ceilings and extensive glazing systems merge seamlessly with lush vegetation to create remarkable visual continuity between the built architecture and natural landscape. The distinctive arched shelter volumes are designed as architectural prototypes that extend panoramically along the shoreline, reinforcing strong visual connections while allowing the green roof system to ascend and envelop the structures organically. The integration of diverse greenery across multiple levels ensures that nature remains absolutely central to the visitor experience, with carefully designed pocket gardens, strategically shaded areas, and elevated viewing points embedded throughout the complex.
By preserving one of the last remaining lakefront development sites in the rapidly developing area, the Shelters on Slope project deliberately avoids the typical shophouse development model that dominates much of Jakarta's commercial architecture. Instead, it proposes a genuinely sustainable framework for commercial space development that prioritizes environmental responsibility and community engagement. The project demonstrates how innovative spatial strategies, environmental responsiveness, and flexible programming approaches can successfully converge to create a commercial landscape that prioritizes both ecological value and social benefit for the surrounding community.
