Brut Force

Raw concrete is experiencing a renaissance, but how compatible is it with tropical weather? Jakarta-based architect and frequent concrete user Willis Kusuma responds

- MH Canlas

Willis Kusuma’s body of work is populated by sharp, angular volumes and dark, tactile textures. For over three years, he honed his skills under the tutelage of infamous New York Five member and champion of the color white, Richard Meier. “Working for Meier taught me the importance of materiality and consistency in designing spaces. His penchant for the color white brings out what truly are the defining attributes of his work: compositional balance, a play on voids and volumes, precise, anchored lines, and finally, the use of light as a material.”

When Kusuma left Meier and moved back to Jakarta, he put the lessons learned to good use, as well as usage of the color white. He then came to a realization that would trigger a new phase of material exploration. “Jakarta, as a bustling megacity, carries with it the conveniences and inconveniences one can expect from a city of ten million people. After a few built works, I realized that white isn’t well suited to my present context as it was in Southern California. The pollution, smog, and a host of other detriments made a permanent mark on my white façades.”

His reintroduction to Indonesia’s burgeoning architectural landscape also encouraged Kusuma to experiment. “Things have progressed rapidly in Jakarta during my absence...the architecture scene grew fast. But this is a good problem. New contexts bring new challenges, and with new challenges, you are encouraged to think outside the box and play.”