Hospitality Hybrid Residence
Awrawikara House
Mass Timber Glulam and CLT Structural System Realised for Hybrid Residential Hospitality in Bogor
Architect
Studio Andra Matin
year
2021
location
South Bogor, Indonesia
size
525 m²
The Brief
Project Overview
Awrawikara House transitioned from an initial reinforced concrete scheme to a full Mass Engineered Timber structural system using Glulam and CLT.
Located in Bogor, the project functioned as a live structural validation of mass timber under tropical construction conditions.
This was not a conceptual prototype. It was a complete residential-hospitality structure executed using engineered timber as the primary load-bearing system.
The Objective
The objective was to validate mass timber as a complete building system by testing:
• Glulam beams and columns as the structural frame
• CLT floor and wall panels as primary load elements
• Prefabricated installation sequencing
• On-site durability under tropical humidity exposure
• Hybrid hospitality-residential performance integration
The project marked a decisive structural evolution from partial timber use to full engineered timber deployment.
The Constraints
Tropical Climate Exposure
Bogor presents sustained humidity, heavy rainfall, strong UV exposure, and daily temperature variation.
Mass timber performance had to extend beyond theoretical modelling.
Moisture detailing, ventilation strategy, and joint logic required structural-level consideration.
Durability was treated as equal priority to load capacity.
Conversion from Concrete Structural Logic
The original scheme assumed reinforced concrete behaviour.
Concrete tolerances, slab action, and wet construction sequencing do not translate directly to mass timber.
The structural redesign required:
• Recalculation of load paths
• CLT thickness optimisation
• Beam-to-panel interface redesign
• Prefabrication sequencing integration
This was not a material substitution.
It was a structural system conversion.
Installation Validation
The project aimed to demonstrate that Mass Engineered Timber could install efficiently under Indonesian site conditions.
Claims regarding installation speed, labour control, and precision-cut fabrication required field validation.
Construction sequencing had to confirm that prefabrication reduces on-site adjustment without compromising alignment.
The Engineering
Primary Mass Timber Structural System
The structure was rebuilt around a glulam frame and CLT platform. This replaced reinforced concrete assumptions with timber-specific load paths and mechanical diaphragm behavior.
CLT panels functioned as floor and wall diaphragms, providing lateral stability through mechanical fixing rather than wet-trade curing.
Glulam Frame Logic
Glulam beams and columns carried primary spans with predictable deflection behavior under residential and hospitality loads. Member sizing balanced strength-to-weight efficiency with buildability.
Connection Detailing for Controlled Load Transfer
Load transfer relied on inspectable mechanical connections. Fastener placement and geometry were resolved to prevent splitting, manage shear, and maintain alignment at beam-to-panel junctions.
Tropical Detailing Strategy
Durability was delivered through physical detailing: ventilation where needed, sealed interfaces, protected edges, and controlled drainage. In tropical exposure, moisture and joint discipline determine long-term performance.
The Products and Materials
The Results and Insights
Mass Engineered Timber Feasibility Confirmed
Awrawikara validated Glulam and CLT as a primary structural solution for a high-end residential context in tropical Indonesia, executed under real site conditions rather than as a conceptual prototype.
Accelerated Structural Workflow Demonstrated
Digitally resolved components and prefabricated interfaces enabled rapid structural progress with controlled sequencing and reduced on-site variability.
This confirmed that speed and precision can coexist when connection logic and fabrication discipline are established early.
Structural and Architectural Integration Achieved
The mass timber system supported both structural performance and exposed material expression, reducing reliance on secondary concealment layers and simplifying coordination across the build.
System Transition Milestone
The project strengthened Woodlam’s capability in:
• Timber-specific load path redesign from concrete assumptions
• CLT panel interface detailing
• Prefabrication sequencing under tropical exposure conditions
Location
South Bogor, Indonesia
Jl. Alamanda III No.143 Kertamaya Jawa Barat, 16139 INDONESIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question unanswered? Speak to our team.
Why was the design converted from concrete to Mass Timber?
The conversion allowed full validation of CLT and Glulam as a structural system in Indonesia. It tested load performance, moisture detailing, and installation speed under real construction conditions.
How fast was the Mass Timber installation?
The core structural system was installed in approximately four days. Prefabricated panels and beams reduced on-site labour and eliminated wet curing time associated with concrete.
Can CLT perform in humid tropical climates?
Yes, when properly detailed. Moisture control, ventilation gaps, roof protection, and sealed joints ensure dimensional stability and durability in high-humidity regions like Bogor.
What makes this a hybrid residence?
The project combined private residential planning with hospitality-style shared circulation. The mass timber structural grid enabled open gathering spaces while maintaining lightweight efficiency and predictable installation control.