Villa Barakka is located in one of the fastest-growing resort areas of Bali, Canggu. The land area is 1.096 sqm, and the villa itself, consisting of 5 bedrooms, a living room, and a lounge, covers an area of 531 sqm. The parking space accommodates 2 cars and at least 5 motorbikes.
Villa Barakka is the result of blending vivid contrasts—two cultural groups, two distinct styles, two worlds: East and West. The Western culture is reflected in the loft style: large open spaces, exposed metal columns and beams, minimal wall finishes, and abundant glass. Eastern culture is represented primarily through the Minangkabau gable roof and interior designs inspired by Japanese minimalism.
The roof structure, echoing the L-shaped building design, consists of two perpendicular sections. The roof is the foundation of the villa’s architectural concept. Its design was inspired by the Minangkabau architectural style Rumah Gadang, commonly found in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This style is characterized by pointed roof edges on the building’s sides. Drawing inspiration from Indonesian craftsmanship, we preserved the essence of the roof design while adding dynamism: eliminating parallel lines in the roof’s contours, extending its pointed edges significantly forward, and introducing a slight curvature in the roof's planes. These changes enhance the mystical and fairy-tale-like nature of the roof, imbuing it with greater expressiveness and drama.
To construct the villa, we chose a metal frame set on reinforced concrete piles. This decision was primarily dictated by the loft architectural style, characterized by steel beams and columns throughout the building’s perimeter. The gable roof structure, crafted from wood, also features metal beams, ensuring durability and strength alongside aesthetic consistency.
The L-shaped layout functionally divides the villa into two parts: bedrooms in one wing and the living room with a kitchen and lounge area in the other. The living room boasts a spacious 9-meter-high void that reaches under the gable roof. Most of the void’s walls feature floor-to-ceiling glass and metal columns, creating an effect of expansive space and immersion in nature thanks to dense greenery planted around the building’s perimeter.
To enhance the villa's connection with tropical nature, the 10-are plot features over 15 large trees and a variety of plants.
The villa’s mysterious and mystical ambiance is further enhanced by a generously sized pool lined with two types of stones: volcanic lava stone for the pool edges and green Sukabumi river stone for the main pool. The stone finishes, large entrance steps, shallow water zones with stone paths, and a waterfall cascading down a stone wall create an effect of ancient Asian elegance, amplifying the villa’s enchanting atmosphere.
The pool deck is made from recycled ironwood (ulin), an Indonesian endemic species. The reuse of wood, treated through prolonged water immersion to enhance durability, reflects a commitment to preserving native species.
A gazebo, whose facade features one of the hexagrams from the Chinese I Ching book, serves as a key architectural accent.
The villa’s layout is designed to group spaces according to their function. One wing houses the living room and lounge, while the other contains all 5 bedrooms, ensuring that noisier spaces do not overlap with quieter ones. Each of the 5 bedrooms is unique: the master bedroom is the largest, featuring a spacious terrace. Above it lies a bedroom offering the best views of the villa. At the opposite end of the wing is a bedroom completely surrounded by greenery, while below it is a bedroom with a private terrace leading to the tropical garden.
The villa’s interior follows traditional Japanese minimalist style. The dark tones used throughout the spaces evoke traditional Balinese interiors, adding a specific mood to the design. Special attention was given to the use of wood in the project. The ceiling panels, furniture, and kitchen cabinets are made from premium teak, processed with various techniques to achieve diverse textures and color tones.
Sustainability requirements played a significant role in the villa’s design. The massive gable roof serves not only as a dynamic aesthetic element but also as an effective solution for blocking direct sunlight, essential given the extensive glazing of the living room. Large roof overhangs, up to 4 meters, minimize glass heating and help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
The extensive planting of trees around the villa’s glass walls further reduces heat gain in the living room, enhancing energy efficiency. Additionally, solar-powered lighting is installed in the parking area and driveway, with an automatic switch to conventional power during insufficient sunlight—especially practical during the rainy season.
This project blends modern architecture with ancient Asian traditions, aiming to immerse guests in a world of maximum comfort, inspiration, and meditative contemplation. Villa Barakka is a small universe where every location is distinct, filled with vivid contrasts and a unique atmosphere.
