There is something strangely difficult about designing for a beginning.
When we were asked to design the Governor’s Office for the new province of South Papua, the temptation was to go big. To be loud. To signal “importance” through ornamentation.
But the more we thought about it, the more we realized that wasn’t the right approach. A new province represents a blank slate. It represents potential. It doesn’t need a monument to the past, or even to the present moment. It needs a container for the future.
We realized the design had to be timeless. Not “old,” but independent of fashion. And it had to be modern, not for the sake of style, but for the sake of clarity.
The resulting space is quiet. It is open. It is designed to be a backdrop for the work that needs to be done, rather than the focus of attention. We tried to remove everything that wasn’t essential, leaving only space, light, and structure.
It is a rare privilege to build something for a place that is just starting its own journey. We are just the designers; the real work belongs to the people of South Papua who will fill these rooms.
We hope we gave them a good place to start.
ma-ru.co
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MA-RU.CO is an architecture & interior design office based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The office is led
The office is led by Harvard graduate Zenin Adrian & Leila Makarim.
Our hope for this project was that this little bit of visual depth would make the office a slightly less monotonous place for the folks who work there day in and day out, and maybe even make visitors feel like they’ve stepped into a space that’s been thoughtfully considered.
And because we’re always looking for those little wins, we also paid attention to the ceilings. It’s easy to forget about the fifth wall, but a little bit of treatment up there can really lift the whole feeling of a room. Nothing too crazy, just something to add a touch of sophistication without being overly complicated.
The end result, we think, is an office that feels both grounded and special. It’s not shouting for attention, but it has a quiet confidence. It’s a space where things get done, efficiently and cleanly, but hopefully with a touch more warmth and visual interest than your average government office. We just tried to make it a little less… beige. And if it makes the workday just a tiny bit better for the people there, then that’s a win in our book. Thank you for trusting us on this project.
20/10/2025
Most architecture tries to impress you with complexity. This villa in Bali does the opposite. It’s a quiet experiment in simplicity—where nature isn’t just a backdrop but a collaborator. The rooftop pool floats above the jungle canopy, not to dominate the view but to dissolve into it. Columns wrapped in greenery, glass that invites the outside in, and water that reflects the sky—each element is doing less, so the whole can do more. It’s not just a place to stay; it’s a place to relax.
17/09/2025
The way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas and throw the bad ones away.” The same is true for design.
Our recent SCBD Jakarta apartment project started with a lot of ideas. The goal was to take a blank canvas and transform it into a space that felt both serene and alive. Being on a high floor with a sweeping city view was a huge advantage, and we knew we had to honor it.
The final design is simple, modern, and punctuated with vibrant reds, blues, and yellows. The result? A home that’s calm yet full of energy. The design is focused on the user, not just the aesthetic. It’s about creating a living space that feels right—a place where you can do your best work, or simply just live well.
13/07/2025
The idea here at is a court that’s trying to be more than just where you hit a ball. Think clean design, maybe some interesting colors, and then – crucially – a attached. The point isn’t just the game; it’s the whole experience of hanging out and talking afterwards. It’s about making it a place people actually want to be, not just a functional space to sweat.
12/05/2025
Happy Vesak Day! May his wisdom guide us towards a more harmonious world, and may our homes be a reflection of that peace. Wishing you all a day of reflection, growth, and kindness.
05/05/2025
This project was an interesting challenge – taking what could have been just a pass-through space in the apartment building and trying to make it something a bit more useful, a bit more… welcoming.
We started with the basics, you know? Existing marble floors and walls that were already quite striking, so we tried to build around that. The idea was to create a common area that residents wouldn’t hesitate to use when they had guests over, a step up from just meeting in the lobby. Somewhere they could actually sit comfortably and chat, maybe even have a small informal meeting without feeling like they were intruding on their own personal space in their unit.
So, we looked at breaking up the large area into smaller, more intimate zones. Comfortable sofas and chairs were key – the kind you can actually relax in. We also thought about function and practicality, like a stylish dining table where people could perhaps share a meal or just spread out, and a beautiful functional kitchen and pantry area.
The idea for the meeting room came from thinking about residents who might work from home, just need a quiet space to focus or simply wants to held informal meetings. And the game area? Well, that was just fun, really. A way to inject a little bit of casual fun and maybe encourage some interaction. Ping pong seemed like a good option.
We tried to keep the design consistent with the overall modern feel of the apartments, using natural materials and modern. The decorative ceilings and plants were just little touches to add some visual interest and warmth, hopefully making the space feels more of the homey.
Honestly, the goal was simply to create a functional and presentable area – something that residents could feel reasonably good about using when they have company. We just put our best foot forward and hoped it would turn out to be a genuinely useful space for them. Thank you for trusting us
21/04/2025
Did you know that our office is 61% women💕. So, we’d like to wish a Happy Kartini day for all Indonesian women and little girls. May you achieve your ambitions sky high and make your country proud of you. 🤗🙏🏻🇮🇩...
09/06/2024
An interview with PRESTIGE INDONESIA a while ago:
Building Blocks of the Future: Zenin Adrian Zenin Adrian’s exemplary contribution in the new capital city includes designing the Ministry of State Secretariat and the Nusantara Intercultural School. Hi...
04/06/2024
Here are pictures of the latest progress of .ri ‘s office at IKN that we are currently working on. Isn’t it amazing that our drawings come to life? Thank you for the pictures 🙏🏻 and thank you for trusting us in this project.
10/04/2024
Dear friends, may this special day bring you closer to your family and friends, and may your heart be filled with love and gratitude. Sending you warm wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. Love from all of us at
PS: this picture is the mosque at the .ri at Nusantara, Indonesia
31/12/2023
Happy New Year 2024 from all of us at
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Setiabudi 2 Building
Jakarta
12920