Official Project Statement: Indonesian Consulate Building – Jeddah

(INJ Architects – Press Release)

The new Indonesian Consulate currently under development in Jeddah marks a significant moment in the architectural relationship between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, bringing cultural expression, mathematical order, and diplomatic purpose into a unified architectural statement. The project, commissioned by the Government of Indonesia, is being led by Saudi architect Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji, whose work explores how identity-driven design can operate within contemporary urban and regulatory frameworks.

Designed for Jeddah’s expanding diplomatic district, the project adopts a refined triangular massing derived from the proportions of the traditional Indonesian peci—a cultural emblem widely recognized across the archipelago. Rather than directly replicating the form, the design reinterprets its geometry through the golden ratio, creating a balanced and symbolic figure suited to a civic and diplomatic setting.

Surrounding the central structure are three pavilion-like extensions that reference the spatial rhythm of Indonesian communal architecture. These wings maintain functional clarity for consular operations while contributing to the symbolic and cultural composition of the building, forming an architectural expression that is contemporary yet deeply anchored in heritage.

One of the project’s defining elements is its façade system, which is generated through a mathematical model integrating Indonesian batik logic with Islamic geometric structure. Instead of a conventional parametric surface, the design employs a controlled geometric algorithm that preserves the identity of batik patterns while adapting them into a climate-responsive shading system appropriate for Jeddah’s dry coastal environment. As sunlight shifts throughout the day, the façade produces dynamic shadow sequences that reinterpret traditional batik motifs in a modern architectural language.

The development process has involved continuous coordination between Saudi regulatory bodies and Indonesian diplomatic institutions, ensuring that the project’s symbolic goals do not compromise its technical rigor or compliance with local planning codes. Recent refinements addressed circulation paths, fire-safety routes, and mechanical allocations, demonstrating the project’s adaptability as it transitions from conceptual design to execution.

According to officials familiar with the development, the consulate’s design reflects the longstanding cultural and religious ties between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia without relying on overt or literal symbolism. Instead, the architecture expresses this relationship through proportion, geometric heritage, and a shared appreciation for craft and spatial structure.

In describing the design approach, architect Ibrahim Joharji stated:
“We focused on developing a building that carries memory rather than imitation. The challenge was to keep the batik geometry recognizable while shaping it into a functional, climate-responsive skin.”

With construction steadily advancing, the Indonesian Consulate stands as a diplomatic and cultural presence that contributes to the architectural identity of Jeddah’s international district. Through its formal clarity, pavilion extensions, and mathematically driven façade, the project positions itself as an example of how cultural narratives can be expressed within modern diplomatic architecture.

More information:
Project page: https://injarch.com/featured_item/indonesian-consulate/
Biography of the architect: https://injarch.com/ibrahim-nawaf-joharji/