Author – Sri Swawidyo Arumbono Jatous  (Urban & Landscape Designer – TOWNLAND) 

“Nature does not hurry.

Yet everything is

accomplished.”

 Lao Tzu

In living a fast-paced and artificial urban lifestyle, humans lose their connection to nature. The opportunity for renewal only occurs when people leave the city and return home. The need for a place to live that can connect residents to nature is thus a very important challenge for developers.

Premier Quality Indonesia (PQI) has developed 23 housing projects in the Jabodetabek area of Jakarta to European quality standards since 1998. PQI is now developing a unique 20 ha plot of land in Pancoran Mas, Depok, West Java, which is located in a development hotspot in the Sawangan area. This area is conveniently connected to South Jakarta via the recently opened Depok-Antasari Toll Road. Carrying the brand name Premier Promenade, this Development offers serenity with a touch of luxury and features the Pesanggrahan River on its western side, a key recreational resource which is utilized to emphasize a luxurious lifestyle.

Having a unique Site character, Premier Promenade targets the middle to upper class market by offering luxury residential products supported by high-quality outdoor facilities, including a Clubhouse, extensive Green Linkages, as well as a pedestrian-friendly Pathways which connect all clusters to main facilities, Jogging Tracks and Waterfront Viewing Platforms, with clear security arrangements for each of the three premium Residential Clusters and Villa Cluster. The careful selection of high quality materials for buildings and hardscape, as well as curated the planting palettes and composition are also an important approach.

The positioning of the Site directly adjacent to the Pesanggrahan River with its dynamic topography is the inspiration for the overall Master Plan and Landscape Design. The form of dramatization of the flow of river water, combined with touches of Japanese landscape philosophy with its meditative character, is expected to encourage residents to ‘slow down’ and re-connect with nature.

Starting from the Entrance Gate, the landscape is accented by a Bodhi Tree (Ficus Religiosa) and a Miniature River, which appears like “Haiku” in classical paintings.  Residents and visitors are invited to walk along a path that curves elegantly towards a roundabout which is designed to resemble a giant Bonsai towards the location of the cluster gates.

The Green Linkage functions as a pedestrian pathway and is inspired by “Hanami”, which translates to a flower garden with flower corridors supported by outdoor facilities. The Clubhouse takes inspiration from “Shinrin-yoku” and is designed as a Forest Walk, a dedicated and refreshing place.

Along the Riverside, the concept of “Shoinzukuri Teien”, a contemplative open space in nature translates as a Garden of Meditation. The Villa area with lakeside features is inspired by “Kayushiki Teien”, which is a reflection of the villa owner’s wealth and intellectual prowess and is appropriately named the Lakeside Strolling Garden.

The overall intention is that Premier Promenade appears like an elegant piece of poetry in the midst of the development of the urban area and emphasises on rediscovering a relationship with nature that is sometimes lost.