A BLISSFUL SEASIDE SETTING MARRIES BALINESE ELEMENTS WITH NATURE TO CREATE A SLICE OF PARADISE FOR DUTCH ARCHITECT

In spite of the hordes of tourists that have invaded Bali for the last three decades, the Island of the Gods has remained truly exceptional. The houses on the islands southeast coast in Batu Jimbar are the best examples of Bali's resilience against tourist hype and foreign influences.

One such house in this exclusive enclave is the holiday home of Dutch architect Henk Vos. For the architect-owner, making sure that the house was in harmony with its natural surroundings was his primary objective. Inspired by the beauty of the island, he has kept as much contact with nature as possible.

Balinese homes consist of a series of open-plan pavilions connected by garden pathways. In each pavilion a brick or stone platform is covered by a thatched roof supported by wooden pillars. Rooms include a master bedroom, parlors, guest-houses, sleeping quarters and work-spaces, a kitchen and granary, and the family temple. A central garden and perimeter mud wall surrounded by fruit trees complete the compound.

White tiled flooring in the open living room provide a stark contrast to the traditional thatched roof. Built-in platforms with seat cushions serve as furniture.

Vos' holiday home includes a series of interconnected rooms grouped around a lily pond and a garden. The guest-house and main living area are self-supporting so guests can enjoy their privacy. A thatched colonnade lined with doves in bamboo cages runs between the main house and the lily pond.

Guests can relax in the living area which is designed to be as close to nature as possible. Red and purple throw pillows add life to the all white bench seat.

Local construction methods were followed, retaining clean and simple lines. The thatched grass roofs on bamboo frames are up to 18 inches thick and can last for 50 rainy seasons. The supporting posts are carved, while no nails are used to connect all this: the roof-beams are pegged together. The separate buildings are thematically connected by the use of white tiles for floors and platforms. The overall effect is simple and clean.