Famous for its fertile volcanic soils, artisanal farmers, colourful rituals, wonderfully complex irrigation systems, and terraced paddy landscapes that are both stunning and sustainable, Bali is a lush tropical paradise. The traditional philosophy of life in Bali—Tri Hita Karana—roughly translating to 'three reasons for prosperity', prescribes the harmony between humans, nature, and god to be paramount. This belief seemingly echoes in their traditional way of life, as well as their vernacular architecture. The renowned natural beauty of Bali offers a breakaway from the stress of a fast-paced modern lifestyle, more relegated to the cities, while the architecture takes on the role of a facilitator rather than the protagonist. While the principles of architecture that foster harmony between humans and nature have endured, the influx of modern architectural styles and technology into a deep-rooted fascination for traditional Balinese materials and craftsmanship has given rise to more local renditions of tropical modernism. Despite growing up in Germany, under the constant influence of the aviation industry, Alexis Dornier’s ‘The Loop’ is a curious specimen of his confounding intuitiveness in using local materials, which is reflected in his interpretation of modern Balinese architecture.

Bali—one of Indonesia’s 17508 islands—is amongst the most famous tropical islands for tourism globally, attracting not only temporary visitors but also slowly becoming a haven for offshore vacation or ‘second’ homes. The genesis of the project’s concept came from the clients' single statement: "We have lived in boxes our entire life, we now seek the opposite.” Equipped with a simple yet profound brief, the German architect’s attempt to manifest a residence that fulfils the client’s desire resulted in a form roughly resembling a lemniscate—the symbol for infinity. While this solved the conceptual problem of non-conformity, it gave rise to novel challenges. Talking about the design challenges, Dornier explained how the project posed "unique challenges that demanded innovative solutions" in an official release. "Bending materials in two dimensions and resolving complex geometrical situations required meticulous planning and collaboration with skilled artisans. It was a journey into uncharted territory, pushing the boundaries of architectural possibilities,” he further propounds. 

A long pathway—sitting on the edge of a forest and a couple of small farms—leads to the dwelling. At its entrance at the end of the pathway, Its curved form is immediately evident, along with the vernacular tenets it abides by—carrying the flair of tropical modernist architecture in its ability to age gracefully. Located on a steep slope, the form does not conform to the contours, instead floating atop it with the help of columns. While this floating nature is present in one of his previous projects 'Birdhouses', its manifestation in 'The Loop' is distinctive. The suspended form contributes to the structure becoming a canopy as the winding stairs lead to the jungle, enabling a heightened sense of intimacy with nature.

The bedrock of the design is its outward nature, having an encompassing 360-degree view of the luxuriant setting. The textures and materials used in the project—concrete, wood, and natural stone—were selected to seamlessly integrate the structure with the greenery, while also prescribing the abstraction of the design language through forms and details. Designed to be experientially centrifugal, the natural materials used to build the residence act as a sensory bridge between the indoors and the lush outdoors.

Evoking curiosity through its winding form—the curving passages along with rising and falling levels, rooms diverging from the regular rectangular forms—it creates a novel experience for the inhabitants, satisfying their desire for unconventionality. The house, replete with a dynamic character from the curving lines, enables a sense of movement that drives its synergy with its immediate environment. Dornier describes the relationship of the residence with its surroundings stating, "The strategic layout of the house ensures that each room offers breathtaking views and a sense of discovery. From the intimate bedrooms to the communal areas, each space becomes an oasis of tranquillity, immersing occupants in the serene beauty of the jungle." The wood panels and stone steps aid the visual movement through linear textures running radially or vertically—depending on the orientation of the surface—leading the inhabitants to view outwards. There is a scenic view just around the corner even from most of the spaces inside the residence.

The continued collaboration with the client along the project’s development became a defining factor of the project’s identity. The client’s active involvement in the material and design selection enriched their affinity with the residence, fostering a sense of shared ownership and a profound connection with the final result. Expanding upon the brief, Dornier expressed the intended result, “The unique radial design provides a captivating and immersive experience, liberating inhabitants from the constraints of their past and inviting them to embrace a new, free-spirited way of life.”

A fascinating aspect of Dornier’s work has been his ability to tap into the nerve of critical regionalism fused with modernistic sensibilities that has been rather definitive in putting Bali’s architecture on the global map. Even with the strong individualistic identity of each of his projects, they do not necessarily contrast in visual, and even a spiritual language from the regional vernacular architecture. Unlike how architecture is weaved into the ecological—and even social—fabric of traditional Balinese architecture, Dornier's projects, looked at as a compendium of work, do possess a cohesive identity of their own, through which nature flows.

Project Details

Name: The Loop
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Area: 762 sq.m.
Year of completion: 2023
Architect: Alexis Dornier
Landscape architecture: Adhiputra Landscape
Construction: Adi Jaya Utama