The renovation of the ITSUMO dessert shop in Batam was a deliberate act of resistance against the utilitarian nature of local ruko (shop-house) developments. Located in a fast-paced industrial city known more for pragmatism than architectural expression, this was the client’s first shop and a deeply personal project. Originally designed by the client herself, this iteration aimed to redefine both place and perception—creating a piece of architecture that quietly disrupts expectations.
Designing a Quiet Statement – Spatial Clarity Through Light and Void
In contrast to the colorful, vibrant chaos of Batam’s commercial environment, the architects opted for restraint. A stark white, minimalist façade conceals the richness of the interior, offering a “quiet statement” that neither competes with nor mimics its neighbors. The building’s language is defined by subtle textures and calm geometry—crafted with the same precision and deliberation as a ceremonial object.
From outside to inside, ITSUMO creates a deliberately contrasting experience. The minimalist white façade appears as a quiet streak of light amidst a row of colorful ruko. Inside, the space shifts to a predominantly black palette—a bold choice, yet handled with care through layers of natural materials: exposed concrete, gray stone, dark wood, and black steel—evoking Japanese avant-garde fashion, where form and texture bring depth to a monochromatic scheme.
A defining spatial move is the insertion of a two-story vertical void, crowned by a continuous skylight that filters daylight deep into the building. This singular opening frames only the sky, abstracting the interior from the surrounding noise. Hidden rain gutters allow water to trickle into the space, honoring the client’s affinity for rain and creating a sensory experience grounded in nature.
The building’s exposed concrete frame, normally seen as a constraint, becomes both aesthetic and symbolic. It frames space like a three-dimensional grid, evoking both structure and memory. Rather than conceal or erase it, the design celebrates its presence, acknowledging the reality of its ruko context while transcending it.
Material Expression and Atmospheric Depth
Batam’s ITSUMO store was designed as a counterpoint to the curvaceous, red tones of the brand’s other branches. Here, the approach is sharp, angular, and monochromatic. Black becomes the dominant hue—an architectural embodiment of avant-garde Japanese fashion, where layering and texture lend richness to a reduced palette.
This posed a challenge: how to avoid the heaviness often associated with black interiors. The team curated a material palette that combined black-stainable woods, steel, gray stone, and concrete with subtle shifts in tone. The result is a space of surprising warmth and depth—moody yet open, immersive yet light.
Freedom, Trust, and Iteration
Redefining Possibilities Through Architecture
A rare condition shaped this project: complete client trust. With no constraints imposed, the architects were free, but also responsible, for defining success on their own terms. This demanded a highly self-reflective process. Internal critique replaced external limitations. Artistic freedom, paradoxically, introduced new forms of discipline.
Collaboration and iteration became key. The process was marked by close communication between architect, client, and contractor. Every material, junction, and surface was tested and refined through countless samples. Room Studio’s artisanship proved invaluable in crafting the quiet complexity the space required.
ITSUMO Batam stands as a manifesto: every location, no matter how ordinary, deserves extraordinary thought. The building is more than a dessert shop—it is a catalyst that asks: why not here? Why not now?
In doing so, it reframes Batam not just as a city of industry, but as fertile ground for architectural inquiry. The project demonstrates that context need not limit vision; with care, collaboration, and courage, design can elevate the everyday into something lasting and profound.
Edit
Anh Nguyên
Design
kousou
Photo
Kung Photograph
Location
Batam City, Riau islands, Indonesia
