DRA House: A Tropical Bali Residence with an Exotic Ambian

The villa located in Bali, Indonesia is a creation by D-Associates. The total area of this residence is 1013 square meters. This villa was designed for a large family from Jakarta. The design aims to be as natural as possible and offers a different experience from the typical residences often seen in Jakarta.

Various Balinese design elements are prominently featured in every building on this island of the gods, creating an exotic and humble ambiance with all its natural beauty. This house, now occupied by a family in Sanur, has garnered attention. Sanur itself is an area frequently visited by tourists and is highly iconic in southern Bali. Therefore, this house also needed to adapt to its Balinese surroundings.

This two-story house is enveloped by stone walls, so from the outside, only the upper floor with its roof is visible. From the outside, this house appears similar to various traditional elongated houses found in Bali. However, it looks different once you step inside.

This elongated house has a different appearance on its ground and upper floors. Visitors will experience the exoticism of this house from its pavilion foyer. In Balinese architecture, this area is known as aling-aling, which is the transitional area between the outer and inner layers of the house. Crossing a water pool with a stone path and surrounded by natural materials like stones and wood creates a pleasant impression for guests entering the house.

On the ground floor, there are gathering spaces such as a dining area, kitchen, family room, guest bedroom, and swimming pool. The natural and open feel is evident on this floor. Both the family room and dining area are designed with sliding doors around them. These doors can be opened wide, making all three sides of these rooms open up, revealing only the main structural columns. Wooden deck floors serve as circulation areas on this floor.

Meanwhile, on the upper floor, it is designed to appear as if it's floating, with dark wood materials in stark contrast to the transparent floor below. With a wooden crate-like design, this second floor is a private area used for bedrooms. There are three bedrooms in total, with the master bedroom accessed via a bridge from the second-floor corridor.

The entire second floor is equipped with balconies facing the garden or indoor swimming pool. Interestingly, these balconies have wooden windows that can be closed when it rains.

Both the ground floor and upper floor are part of a flexible building unit. This is due to their enveloping structures that can be opened wide or closed.

The use of ulin timber wood channels the warmth of the sun into the building. The walls, floors, and deck all contribute to making the house feel both natural and exotic. The ground floor seamlessly integrates with the pool and garden area. The use of the same materials for both indoor and outdoor areas creates a blurred boundary between the interior and exterior, allowing the family to experience the entire Balinese landscape of the house.

Inside the house, there are also two basement rooms: the housekeeper's bedroom and a relaxation area. The housekeeper's bedroom is located outside the main building near the parking area. There is a staircase leading to the basement area where there are four bedrooms.

As for the basement relaxation area within the house, it has a unique appearance as it is located beside the swimming pool. In this relaxation room, there are long windows that provide a view of the pool from below. It is undoubtedly a unique and soothing space. The blue color produced by the swimming pool makes the mind feel more relaxed and at ease.

Source: DRA house | photo by: Mario Wibowo