Incorporating Javanese culture

Joglo are living symbols of Javanese identity

They’re not just functional but also a way of living, thinking and connecting. From royal palaces to rural homes, the buildings embody the ideas of respect, harmony and the importance of spiritual and social balance.

The two types of construction at Mojo are sinom and limasan. The saka guru (four main pillars) represent the four directions and also human’s connection to nature and god. The rooftop, rising to a peak, symbolizes the aspiration for spiritual enlightenment. The joglo’s high point collects the rising hot air, ensuring lower living areas stay cool, keeping out the light and creating many dark corners where spirits feel at home.

The joglo also reflects the traditional concept of "gotong royong”, where people work together to both build the structure and their communities.

Tall visitors should be warned not to stand upright in doorways or under roof beams as the early Javanese were not tall so the houses were built according to their body sizes.

Kain mori

You will notice swatches of white inside the building highpoints. These are kain mori fabric, a type of unfinished, unbleached white cotton cloth. The cloth is traditionally used for making clothing and other textiles, often the base material for batik.

Placing the kainmori on top of the main support beam of the joglo structure provides both a blessing (for the beam, to hold up the roof and protect occupants—no small task in a tectonically active area) as well as a symbol of purity (that the intent of the building is just and not meant to upset any balance).

Directional orientation

We felt it the first time we came through the gate—the positive vibes and “good spirits” of Villa Mojo. We wish we could take credit for the layout but the original builders did a great job orienting the buildings on an almost directly east west axis, with the villa's openings to the south.

In addition to enjoying Indian Ocean breezes, our feng shui is strong. Opening to the south, directly into a sawah (rice field) is beneficial for health, prosperity and wealth; stimulates nourishment; and allows for the free flow of Qi. The lawang lawas (traditional main gate, positioned on the right side of the south-facing walls) invites even more positive energy.

We acquired Villa Mojo as a slightly updated farmhouse. Our goal has always been to make it into a villa that both celebrates and remains true to Javanese culture.

Local & repurposed materials

Located in a our desa wisata (creative village), near both Gabusan and Kasongan markets, we have sourced almost all of our materials locally, from local craftsman. We love the character and warmth of natural materials and tried to embrace them as much as possible.

We refurbished and updated all the wooden structures and traditional tiles throughout. We repurposed things from around the old compound (wood, stone, etc), giving new life to the material. For anything new, we tried to source as much reclaimed natural material as possible.