Hospitality Restaurant
Potluck Tebet
Charred Meranti Timberclad Façade System for a Cost-Conscious Community Hospitality Space in Jakarta
Architect
Afwina Kamal at Hadiprana Design
year
2022
location
South Jakarta, Indonesia
size
390 m²
The Brief
Project Overview
Potluck Tebet required exterior charred Meranti cladding within a high-traffic urban restaurant environment.
Durability, weather exposure, and maintenance cycles were primary risks.
Objective
The objective was to validate Woodflame-treated Meranti by proving:
• Surface carbonization for enhanced weather resistance
• Controlled charring depth without structural compromise
• Stable installation across façade modules
• Long-term performance under urban humidity and pollution
This project positioned surface treatment as a performance mechanism, not an aesthetic choice.
The Constraints
Budget-Constrained Performance
The facade had to elevate a modest timber species through detailing rather than cost escalation.
Urban Environmental Exposure
Heat, rainfall, humidity, and pollution required protective treatment and ventilation logic.
High-Traffic Public Interface
The facade operates under close visual scrutiny and repeated interaction. Durability was critical.
Material Perception Challenge
Meranti required disciplined detailing to shift perception from ordinary to refined.
The Engineering
Woodflame Timberclad System
Meranti boards were treated using controlled surface charring inspired by Shou Sugi Ban. The carbon layer increases resistance to weathering and improves surface durability when properly detailed.
Surface Engineering Strategy
Charring modifies the timber surface structure, reducing vulnerability to moisture and biological exposure. Performance was achieved through surface treatment rather than increasing board thickness.
Controlled Alignment Logic
Boards were installed using calibrated spacing and concealed fixing intervals to maintain consistent shadow lines across the facade.
Durability Through Detailing
Ventilation gaps and sealed interfaces were integrated to prevent moisture trapping. Performance relied on method and detailing discipline, not material mass.
The Products and Materials
The Results and Insights
Premium Perception on Modest Material
The charred Meranti façade achieved architectural presence without reliance on expensive imported species.
Improved Exterior Resilience
The carbonised surface enhanced durability and reduced visible ageing compared to untreated timber in similar exposure conditions.
Design Restraint Reinforced
The project demonstrated that controlled texture and disciplined detailing can elevate everyday timber into a refined public façade.
Cost-Performance Strategy Validated
Strategic surface treatment can extend material capability, offering hospitality projects a balanced route between budget control and design integrity.
Location
South Jakarta, Indonesia
Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam Raya No.56 East Tibet, 12820 INDONESIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question unanswered? Speak to our team.
What is Woodflame Timberclad?
Woodflame Timberclad is Woodlam’s controlled charring cladding system inspired by Shou Sugi Ban, engineered to enhance surface durability while preserving structural stability.
Why use Shou Sugi Ban-inspired charring on Meranti?
Charring forms a protective carbon layer that improves resistance to weathering and moisture exposure. It also deepens surface tone and texture, elevating the visual character of a commonly available timber species.
Is charred timber suitable for Jakarta’s urban climate?
Yes, when combined with proper detailing and installation logic. Surface carbonisation reduces vulnerability to environmental exposure, but performance still depends on drainage design, ventilation gaps, and correct fixing methods.
Why is this project strategically important for Woodlam?
It demonstrates that performance and refinement do not require premium species. Through surface engineering and disciplined execution, Woodlam expanded its ability to deliver cost-efficient architectural timber solutions for public hospitality environments.
Explore Durable, Character-Driven Timber Façade Systems for Urban Hospitality Projects
Discuss how charred Timberclad systems and performance-based detailing can enhance durability, control cost, and deliver refined architectural expression for restaurants, cafés, and community-focused hospitality spaces in tropical urban environments.