Arena Lakeside Kemayoran transforms an overgrown pond into the heart of a hospitality landscape. Through passive water systems, wetland planting, and immersive pathways, the site restores ecology while shaping spaces for dining, play, and leisure. Reconnecting people with water as both ecological and shared experience.
Located in Kemayoran, Jakarta, the 1.86 hectare site wraps around a large pond that previously lacked integration with its surroundings. Untapped and unmanaged, the open space lacked purpose. Yet, its tree belt, water adjacency, and wide buffers held potential for ecological renewal and hospitality-driven public life.
Poor clarity, algae buildup, and stagnant water. Edges showed erosion and collapse, while planting beds lacked structure or resilience. The key challenge lay in rehabilitating the water body as a functional system, while shaping open space to host hospitality uses without depending heavily on built form.
Function both as ecological engine and guest experience. Passive filtration, top-up islands, and soft wetland edges enable natural circulation and recovery. Around this water core, decks, amphitheater seating, and looping nature trails weave together spaces for gathering, leisure, and play. Planting frames views, guides transitions, and balances form with function. Inspired by mangroves and native habitats, tactile play elements and layered vegetation immerse visitors in a landscape where water restores ecology while setting the atmosphere for dining, strolling, and outdoor life.
Clearing invasive growth revealed poor water conditions and uneven pond edges, requiring regrading for stability. Top-up islands were planted with resilient species, while an aerator was introduced to enhance water movement and rainwater retention. Planting substitutions were made as the site responded to climate and growth patterns, with hardy groundcovers outperforming others. Together, these adjustments stabilized edges, improved circulation, and accelerated ecological recovery. The systems now function as intended, gradually maturing into a water-sensitive framework that supports both ecological health and hospitality use.
Offering a calm, reflective setting that anchors the dining and leisure experience. Guests enjoy uninterrupted water views, framed by seasonal planting and softscapes that enrich the atmosphere. Meandering paths and decks create intuitive movement, alternating between quiet pauses and social gathering spaces. Children’s play areas inspired by mangrove habitats add tactile engagement, deepening the landscape’s educational and experiential value. Though still in its ecological cleansing phase, the water body already functions as scenery, infrastructure, and civic amenity. More than a hospitality backdrop, it is a living water system that manages runoff, restores biodiversity, and brings people closer to the rhythms of nature.
