Situated on the remote, northern coast of Bali, the Tiing is an intimate escape from the bustling tourist paths of South Bali.

Designed by the Australia-based architect and design team, Nic Brunsdon, the Tiing was created to be a ‘reward for the intrepid’ where local charms can be found at every corner. Understanding that the project will need a point of differentiation to draw people out of the well-worn tourist paths of southern Bali, the boutique resort deliberately utilized traditional materials and construction techniques to embed itself into the local and cultural context. The result is an authentic and understated structure where one can fully unwind and connect with the lush nature of its vicinity.

A robust, conceptual concrete framework forms the bold outlines of the project. The design team selected concrete and bamboo as the main materials for construction due to their abundance and popularity in traditional Balinese construction. The two main materials weave together seamlessly throughout the project to create a series of bamboo-formed concrete walls with distinct, spatial volumes. Double-volume walls not only act as dividers to provide privacy between individual guest rooms but also frame the mountains and the sea, giving guests a unique vantage point that can be enjoyed in their rooms.

The materiality of this project aims to work within the local context, construction techniques, resources, and climate of the area. Due to the tropical climate of Bali, a clean finish would mean more maintenance required to keep the surface in its ideal condition, hence, a rough, textured finish was rendered on the concrete to withstand weathering, as well as enhancing the character and the architecture. With the addition of bamboo as a negative impression in the patina of the concrete, the duo materiality gives the project a distinct and unique look that ultimately becomes its signature. Combined with lush landscaping with tropical plants such as palms and banana trees, the property becomes a tranquil paradise that allows nature to take center stage.

Drawing inspiration from the local Balinese gateways prevalent throughout the island, walls are intentionally built to become shear at each end. The traditional Balinese gateways are highly decorated totems, a pathway designed to draw the eye and believed to guide the spirit onwards.

To create a grounding travel experience for guests, the walls between each guest room are architecturally designed to act as funnels, bringing each room equal and opposing views of the mountain and the ocean on each side - a design that transports guests to a different scenery depending on where they are facing. “We thought it is vitally important to draw attention to this dual condition as part of a locating and grounding travel experience”, described the design team.

The long and winding 2.5-hour ride to the Tiing will bring you through the lush Balinese landscape covered by a dense forest canopy. To counteract the all-consuming ‘green-ness’ of the Tiing’s vicinity, the design team created a contrasting red public bathing pool on the property that acts as a distinct counterpoint. The pool is partially hidden from the entry sequence, but quickly becomes an energizing and welcoming contrast to the lush green jungle as guests make their way into the resort.

Spatial arrangement and the height of the site was carefully thought out to align the water bodies of the pool and the ocean. Here, guests can spend the afternoon soaking in the pool while enjoying expansive views of the horizon, bringing alive the hotel’s ethos of ‘a reward for the intrepid’.

Finally, hidden centrally in the property is the washing space - an intimate space with slick finishes that contrast the rugged and organic outlines of the building. Each space has a light well above, connecting the occupant back to the sky from the darkness of this isolated space. Protected, hidden, and central, this space becomes a welcoming surprise for guests, a tranquil refuge for unwinding and reconnecting to yourself and to nature.

For those looking for an unconventional vacation in Bali where you will be immersed in a lush natural setting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, don’t forget to put the Tiing on your list.

Project Details

Project Name: The Tiing

Design Lead Architect: Nic Brunsdon

Execution Architect: Manguning

Project Size: 2000 m2

Site Size: 4000 m2

Completion Date: 2019

Site Level: 2