Sable Interior Decoration & Design

Inspiring Architecture

I have seen this amazing pavilion several times now in various publications, so when I wanted to share with you some amazing architecture, this was at the top of my list.

I hope you find it as inspiring as I do.

E

Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali by WOHA Designs Singapore.

WOHA is led by directors Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell.

The famous hanging pavilion over the main pool.

The Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, Indonesia is a resort development encompassing a hotel and 34 modern, luxury villas. It opened in early 2009.

With Alila Villas Uluwatu, the architects wanted to create more than the usual stereotypical ideas of Bali, creating a design that worked with the dry Balinese Savannah vegetation and gently sloping site, not against it. The fact that the aim was to build a resort to Green Globe certification and with Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) standards did not hinder their architectural vision.

Says Hassell, “From the onset, we knew we wanted to work with ESD in mind.” However, obtaining the necessary raw materials, such as sustainable wood for construction, proved to be a challenge. Fortuitously in this instance, lady luck stepped in as the owners managed to acquire a lot of old timbre telegraph poles and wood railway sleepers that were being auctioned off within the country, and had them transported to Bali.

Notable design features include the flat roofs, laid with batu chandi (local volcanic rock). This porous Javanese rock (a product of Mt Merapi’s eruptions) serves a threefold purpose: insulation; as a means of blending in with the local landscape; and for water absorption to support plant life. Even the jigsaw-like exteriors of the pavilion serve more than an aesthetic purpose.

The slats of these exteriors are made from a mixture of recycled wood and bronze, allowing for breeze to circulate yet maintaining privacy in partially shielding its occupants away from prying eyes. Described by Hassell as being “non-tropical”, these modern bales, which are fitted with plush beddings, retain their traditional Hindu-style shape yet are refreshingly contemporary.

Richard Hassell speaks of this eco-friendly project …”We are very pleased that Alila Hotels have embraced the Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles, and we are using many ESD measures including local materials, water conservation with soaks and rain gardens and recycling with grey water systems, using local plants from the special Bali Savannah ecosystem on the Bukit, which are being raised in a nursery on site to encourage local bird and animal life, heat pumps for water heating, salt water pools – among many others.

 Set for a Wedding

The design of the interiors is completely integrated with the architecture, as the design flows from inside to outside. All the materials are locally sourced. These beautiful local materials are environmentally sound and support the local communities

Photos and information found at  www.alilahotels.com   www.woha-architects.com  www.besthousedesign.com and  wikipedia