Considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, Bali is filled with magnificent natural wonders, from majestic beaches to glorious mountains, and also boasts a wide selection of accommodations from budget to luxury hotels. Today we’re taking a closer look at The Tiing by Nic Brunsdon, a boutique resort embedded into its local and cultural context, peacefully nestled on the northern coast of Bali.
Embedded into its local and cultural setting, the Tiing is a boutique resort that attempts to set a point of differentiation to pull people out of the well-worn tourist paths of southern Bali. Due to its secluded location, the design consciously inclines towards traditional materials and construction techniques, while providing a robust conceptual framework. The abundance of bamboo allowed the team to form concrete walls that were erected on site to create in-between and inside conditions, framing the mountains and the sea.
“The materiality of this project aims to work within the local context, construction techniques, resources, and climate; a rugged regionalism. Concrete and bamboo are abundant, so it was best to work with these materials throughout. In a tropical climate, a clean finish would require much maintenance, here, the material will weather in, enhancing the character of the architecture and place. Importantly, this also became the finishing. Expressing the texture and form of the bamboo as a negative impression in the patina of the concrete becomes this project’s motif.” – Nic Brunsdon
At each end, the walls file off, referencing local Balinese gateways prevalent throughout the island. These gateways are highly decorated totems, shear-cut on the travel path to encourage the eye and the spirit to drift onwards. The walls also act as funnels, giving each room equal and opposing view of the mountain and the ocean, meaning that guests are always situated in the truth of the site
“Arriving at the Tiing is a process of 2.5hrs traversing winding roads through the lush Balinese landscape. We wanted something that would act as a distinct counterpoint to that all-consuming ‘green-ness’, so we created a red public bathing pool. It is partially hidden to the entry sequence, but acts as an energising arrival moment in high-contrast to the lush green jungle. Further, we paid attention to the height of the site and the way the water bodies of the pool and the ocean would layer against the horizon. Again, the working strategy for this project is ‘a reward for the intrepid’, and the central pool further serves to consolidate this.” – Nic Brunsdon
With the clients being Chinese American, hotel designer and proprietor a local Balinese, and Australians as the architect, the Tiing isn’t just only a place of refuge and delight but also a project that encouraged a productive and educational cultural collaboration between the team.
Project: The Tiing
Architect: Nic Brunsdon
Location: Tejakula, Bali, Indonesia
Type: New Build
Photography: Ben Hosking
