Next-generation shopping has arrived in Jakarta, captured by a hybrid retail concept that unapologetically signals the Indonesian capital’s stature as a gear-shifting urban behemoth to watch. We’re talking space_available, not only a design store, but also a café, gallery space, listening bar, reading room, meditation studio and upcycling workshop, all rolled into one. Interestingly, space_available occupies an existing architectural landmark in the leafy Kemang district which was originally built by acclaimed Indonesian architect Andra Matin. Interestingly, the roots of space_availble lie on Bali where an eponymous creative platform and ecological design studio with a playful activist edge is increasingly making its mark, and now, it also aims to establish a much-needed base in Jakarta‘s sprawling metropolitan area.
The new venue is a collaborative effort of the Balinese entity with local partner A3000 Cultural Collective. As said, space_available occupies an existing building, and since its inauguration many years ago, it has seen a string of different tenants, and consequently, many guises, all adding distinctive layers which needed to be undone. As such, the building required a full architectural overhaul, including extensive rewiring, which added to the workload. Given the new, highly interactive and constantly evolving purpose, the interior design, created by space_available creative director Daniel Mitchell and interior designer Andika Wahyu Permana, the premises have been concepted as large-scale installation within a gallery.
Mind you, adhering to principles of space_available‘s ecological mission, no less than eleven tonnes of locally recycled plastic has been used for both structural elements and furnishings. As you might have guessed, the design approach is through, and almost every design element and section oozes the aforementioned sustainable perspective. Dedicated zones include a conversation pit equipped with plastic recycling machines and upcycling stations where visitors can repair garments. Each element is intentionally designed to serve both function and education, providing opportunities for hands-on engagement and learning. It’s a self-proclaimed self-care community centre built around five core pillars—movement, meditation, learning, listening, and nourishing, resulting in the aforementioned range of facilities.
The store of the newly opened space_available stocks a collection of apparel, either upcycled or plant-based, and furniture and home products crafted from recycled materials. Additionally, the venue offers a rotating programme of events, lectures and workshops, obviously all with a sustainable perspective. As anywhere in Asia, food lies at the heart of any thriving community, and here at space_available, it’s no different. The café and restaurant is readily available if you’re peckish, offering not only ample seating and cozy nooks where to sit back and relax, but also an extensive menu with bites, sharing plates, bowls, cocktails, beers, wines and other beverages to keep energised and motivated for the abundance of activities on the premises. © superfuture
space_available
Jalan Kemang Raya 8B-9 (Kemang)
Jakarta 12730
Daily 7am-10pm
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
