- Interior
- Architecture & development
Hidden among the lush greenery of Nyanyi, in Bali’s Tabanan region, lies Rumah Lituhayu, a holiday home that takes the natural qualities of its setting as its point of departure. The project was conceived as a collection of five separate pavilions scattered across a steeply sloping site descending towards the river. Inspired by traditional Balinese residential compounds and Indonesian stilt houses, the architecture creates a living experience that remains closely connected to the landscape. By elevating the buildings above the ground, the ensemble appears to float among the trees, like a contemporary interpretation of a treehouse retreat designed for both shared and individual use.
The project was realised by Bada Studio, founded by Made Dirgantara and Maurizio Moeis. Drawing on their Indonesian background, they have developed a design approach deeply rooted in place and culture. Their work is informed by a thorough understanding of tropical conditions, local materials and traditional building principles. These insights are translated into residential and hospitality projects where sensitivity to context takes centre stage. For Bada Studio, architecture begins with understanding a site and the people who will inhabit it. This attitude is clearly reflected in Rumah Lituhayu, where both the terrain and the existing vegetation played a defining role in the design. 
The client’s ambition was to create a retreat that would engage respectfully with its surroundings while weaving cultural references into the architecture. The greatest challenge lay in the steep site and the abundance of mature trees covering the plot. Rather than significantly altering the landscape, Bada Studio chose to position the buildings carefully among the existing vegetation. Every tree was preserved and incorporated into the design. In some areas, trunks even pass directly through the structures, blurring the boundary between architecture and nature.
Tall timber columns support a pitched roof that extends over the surrounding circulation spaces
The central pavilion forms the heart of the residence and accommodates the communal functions, including the living area, kitchen and dining room. Tall timber columns support a pitched roof that extends over the surrounding circulation spaces. Thanks to fully openable façades, the garden becomes a direct extension of the interior. The pavilion overlooks the river and sits above the swimming pool, while the four bedroom pavilions are arranged around this central volume. Each bedroom pavilion has its own orientation and offers a different relationship with the landscape, ranging from framed views of the river to panoramic vistas across the jungle. 
The choice of materials further reinforces the connection with the surroundings. Local materials and traditional craftsmanship form the foundation of the project. Bangkirai timber supports the roof structures, while timber sirap shingles clad both the roofs and façades. Paras Tulung Agung stone adds texture to the solid walls, and dark-stained timber allows the buildings to blend visually into the shaded environment. The result is an architecture that adapts to the landscape and preserves the existing qualities of the site.
Photography by Pempki | Iker Zuniga
Text by Carolien Depamelaere