Kantor Walikota Gorontalo
This design was born from an understanding of Gorontalo as a growing city that needs a government space which is more open, efficient, and connected to the community. The city hall is envisioned as a shared and integrated space that adapts to new ways of living while also becoming a green oasis in the middle of the city—like a park where public services, social interaction, and urban life come together in one inclusive environment. Through this approach, the design aims to create a more harmonious relationship between people (Praja), nature, and a sense of belonging toward public space, with the governmental Mandala serving as a reflection of religious and cultural values.
Location
Gorontalo, Indonesia
Programs
Mayor’s Office, Shared Workspace, Gorontalo Government Center, and MICE
Status
Top 10 Finalist of Design Competition
Efficiency and integration: Enhancing accessibility and collaboration
This development covers a total area of ±18,000 m² and is designed around two simple principles: efficiency and integration. The buildings only take up 30% of the land (±5,400 m²), leaving a generous 70% (±12,600 m²) as open, green space. Within the built area, several key facilities are brought together in one place — a MICE venue, a Shared Office, the Mayor’s Office, and a Public Parking Area — making it easy for people to move between them and collaborate. The buildings are kept compact and low in footprint, but still maximize vertical space with a height allowance of up to 24.2 meters. The open spaces serve a dual purpose: they function as flexible multipurpose yards while also absorbing rainwater, supported by a retention pond to manage drainage. Overall, the design is a smart balance between functionality and green space, all while keeping construction costs within budget
City Hall for Everyone
The concept of “City Hall for Everyone” is built around the idea of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all members of the community. The ground floor is designed as an open, walkable public plaza where anyone can freely move around and gather. At the heart of the complex sits a multipurpose courtyard that also serves as a natural rainwater absorption area, alongside a central plaza for community activities and a public vehicle drop-off zone with direct access to the Main Boulevard. To keep the office areas secure, entry is controlled through a card-access lobby and elevator system with Secure RFID Gates, while the edges of the building are lined with public lounges, civic services, and small business (UMKM) commercial spaces. The design also embraces the idea of a defensible space — where safety is maintained not through hard barriers, but through natural observation and a strong sense of community ownership — all inspired by local architecture and the working culture of the area.
Future Ready – Adapting to New Ways of Working
This complex is designed with the concept of creating a workspace that is built to handle whatever the future brings. The development is divided into three zones, rolled out in phases — the Mayor’s Office (Phase 1), Shared Office (Phase 2), and MICE facility (Phase 3) — all built around two core ideas: Flexible & Modular Spaces and Blending with Nature (Biophilic Design). The offices are designed to be flexible and modular, meaning they can easily adapt to new digital technologies, and can even be repurposed during emergencies such as pandemics or natural disasters. At the same time, workspaces are woven together with green areas to create a healthy, comfortable, and refreshing office environment. The design also responds to the needs of a multi-generational workforce — from Millennials to Gen Z, Y, and beyond — by offering a mix of formal and informal work settings, supporting hybrid working styles, and providing a wide variety of workspace types and scales to suit different needs.
A Green Urban Oasis
This complex is designed as “A Green Urban Oasis” — a healthy, sustainable, and nature-filled environment right in the heart of the city. The design actively embraces nature by celebrating natural light, fresh air, greenery, and weather as part of the everyday working experience. Solar panels cover the rooftops to harness renewable energy, while green verandas and a rainwater harvesting system are put in place to manage water in a smart, circular way. Multipurpose courtyards and water absorption yards spread throughout the complex act as a “city sponge”, soaking up rainwater to minimize runoff and prevent flooding, further supported by a retention pond at the edge of the site. The buildings are also designed to “breathe” — with shaded areas and open verandas that blur the line between indoors and outdoors — creating a space where people can feel connected to nature, not just come in to work.
