studio ma-ru

about us

This is how we see design

ma-ru is an architecture, interior design, urban design and product design studio. We are based Jakarta, Indonesia founded by Zenin Adrian and Leila Veruschka Makarim. Our approach is that we see design as a convergent, interdisciplinary venture. Minimum form takes maximum effect with the goal to bridge the utopian and the pragmatic. Instead of separating aspects of architecture, landscape, history, social systems, and codes into their constituent disciplines, these agendas are simultaneously explored so that each discipline symbiotically gains from the other. In this way sustainability emerges as an integrated rather than additive result.

This is where designers collaborate

We also provide unified design services which allows client to have full access in all parts and scales of the design services. This is reflected by our wide experience in other design disciplines, i.e.: urban design, master planning interior architecture, product design and furniture design.

We extend our collaboration with other offices

In 2019, MARU collaborated with Veritas Design Group and submitted our entries for the Indonesian New Capital Competition. One of our entries, “Kota Seribu Galur” (A Thousand Thread) made it to Top 5. We presented to President Joko Widodo, cabinet members and the juries on December 20, 2019. We are grateful that on December 23, 2019, it was announced by Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum dan Perumahan Rakyat (Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing), that we won 3rd place.

This competition is unique in that the first winner, would have to collaborate with the 2nd and 3rd winner to sharpen the design. Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the top three designs for the new capital had fulfilled three criteria for the city: it had to be a symbol of Indonesia’s advanced civilization, it had to be environmentally friendly and it had to be designed with future generations in mind.

We strive for design excellence

Our works has been published in various local and international publications. For example, we were featured in Young Asian Architects (German), A+U (Japan), iSH (Singapore), Indonesian Architecture Now, Elle Décor Indonesia, Laras, Majalah Renovasi, etc.

We are a TEAM

Meet our leadership team.

Zenin Adrian

CO-FOUNDER

Zenin Adrian earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Universitas Parahyangan. He also underwent a formal education which saw him pursuing his Master of Architecture at the University of Toronto, Canada before finally finishing his studies at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. He has won various national and international design competitions, ie, Merit Award for the International Competition of Gyeonggi-do Jeongok Prehistoric Museum, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea, 1st place [Elegant Refinement]; Jakarta National Art Center Idea Competition; Indonesian Institute of Architect, Jakarta; Jury: Antoine Predock. Jakarta, Indonesia, etc. In 2017, he won the Good Design Indonesia Award for his product design "the DashDot", a ceramic granite ventilation brick. The same product also won GMARK from Japan. He lead the "Kota Seribu Galur" team for the Indonesia's New Capital and won third place in 2019. This leads him to become a member in the Urban Design Team for Indonesia's New Capital City. In 2021, he was the team leader for the Basic Design of Kemensetneg Building in the New Capital City (IKN). His works was also featured in books and magazines, ie: Young Asian Architects (Germany), A+U’s article: New Wave from South East Asia (Japan), Blueprint Asia Magazine (Malaysia), etc. An avid writer, he also contributes his architectural writings to publications such as the Jakarta Post. Together with his wife, Leila Veruschka Makarim, in 2007 he established MA-RU, a design office which not only operates in architecture, interior and product design, but also offer contracting and build services. Under his direction, MA-RU has engaged various construction projects with different types and scales. Zenin has been the member of Harvard Club of Indonesia since 2007. He was the Vice President of the club from 2016 to 2019. Since 2019 he is currently a member of the Board of Advisory.

Leila Veruschka Makarim

Co-Founder

Leila Makarim is the CEO of MA-RU. She is responsible for the day-to- day responsibility for MARU’s operations, business development, expansion and diversification of MARU’s activities. Before joining MA- RU, she was a Senior Associate of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the Corporate Finance and Recovery group (Lead Advisory). She was involved in M&A, privatization, and divestment projects in the area of property, oil & gas, banking, etc.

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