Tropical architecture

The 20,000 sq m scheme is organised around a chain of courtyards, with facades in Balinese brick and Indonesian teak. Completion is planned for May 2029. An international architecture practice Arch(e)type has designed The Order, a hotel and residences complex in the south of Bali. The site sits on the Jimbaran hills, next to the Four Seasons and Raffles hotels, and the complex covers about 20,000 sq m. Developer Landmark Development holds the construction permit and plans to complete the project in May 2029. Arch(e)type Arch(e)type Arch(e)type Arch(e)type Arch(e)type Buildings of five and six storeys run along the perimeter of the site, with a chain of courtyards inside. The composition follows an axis drawn from... More

Located on the west coast of Mauritius, the extension of Cascavelle Shopping Mall rethinks the conventional retail model as an open, vibrant destination shaped by architecture, landscape and community. Conceived as more than a place for commerce, the project creates an environment where people can gather, explore, dine and spend time throughout the day and into the evening. Architects Studio Ltd Architects Studio Ltd Architects Studio Ltd Architects Studio Ltd Drawing inspiration from the scale and atmosphere of a tropical village, the masterplan is organised as a network of shaded pedestrian streets, generous verandahs, landscaped plazas and open-air terraces. Retail, dining, leisure and public spaces are woven togethe... More

Commissioned in 2018, INSADA Integrated Design Team was appointed to develop the architecture and interior design for Savasa, a compact residential development in Cikarang, West Java, in collaboration with Japanese developer Panahome. The project sought to demonstrate how thoughtful planning, sustainable design strategies, and efficient construction methods could elevate the quality of compact housing for modern Indonesian families. Savasa comprises two residential typologies. The first occupies a 6 × 11 meter plot with a total built area of 62 square meters over two storeys, while the second sits on a 7 × 12 meter plot with 72 square meters of built area. Despite their modest footprints, both homes were designed to provide gen... More

The project Anjung comprises two components: a retreat house and a studio space, the latter occupied by Eleena Jamil Architect. The project was developed by the practice and reflects its values and aspirations. Zakee Man Experimental in approach, it reflects the studio’s longstanding interest in investigating the relationship between contemporary architecture and place through the articulations of form and materiality, as well as a direct engagement with its surrounding context. Zakee Man Zakee Man Materials are selected to reduce the carbon costs of the overall construction. Bamboo – in its most natural state, i.e., full culms – is used for the roof structure; it is combined with interlocking compressed e... More

Deccan House is a single-storey villa in a gated community on the outskirts of Hyderabad, organized around a stone wall that serves as the principal planning element. It separates the service areas from the social and private spaces, establishing a clear spatial hierarchy and a coherent plan. Caption Caption Caption Caption The house is articulated as two linear volumes set at an angle to one another. One volume contains the private realm of the house, while the other accommodates the service functions, reinforcing the distinction between the intimate and utilitarian spaces. Between them, a glazed living and dining space is conceived as a void, opening to the landscape on the north and forming the social core of the hou... More

Set within the lush, verdant tropical climate of Bandung, West Java, Juden House is a thoughtfully crafted residential extension designed to reconcile the contrasting personalities of its homeowners, an extroverted husband and an introverted wife. Blending Japanese aesthetics with subtle industrial touches, the architecture seamlessly utilizes soft wood tones and exposed raw materials to balance the need for open areas with secluded retreats. Designed partially as the ultimate personal mancave, the project also offers clever rental flexibility as a private villa in the future. By fully embracing the site's steeply sloping topography rather than working against it, the design introduces these independent programmatic elements while keeping t... More

Located in Samaná, Dominican Republic, Tropical Sanctuary is a contemporary hospitality destination designed to immerse guests in the natural beauty of the Caribbean while providing a refined and timeless experience. The project is organized around a central courtyard that acts as the heart of the hotel, bringing natural light, ventilation, and visual continuity to the interior spaces. Warm materials, textured surfaces, and carefully integrated lighting create an atmosphere of comfort and sophistication throughout the property. Seraro by Ramical Seraro by Ramical Guest rooms are designed to strengthen the connection between interior and exterior environments, framing panoramic ocean views while maintaining a sense of priv... More

Located in the mountains of Mar Vista, Guanacaste, Casa Vista Encantada is a residential project composed of a main house and a guest house, organized as a direct response to the site’s elongated topography. The project adopts a linear configuration that follows the natural contours of the terrain, allowing each space to establish a specific relationship with the surrounding landscape. This spatial strategy generates a sequence of views and transitions, reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior environments. Fernando Alda Fernando Alda A central component of the project is its roof system, designed as an integrated environmental strategy. The sloped roofs enable controlled rainwater collection, which is comb... More

Bangsue Residence exemplifies an architectural vision that transcends spatial organization, embracing the challenge of creating a home for a three-generation family. The design moves beyond mere room allocation, striking a delicate balance between togetherness and individual privacy, ensuring the house truly becomes “the home for everyone.” tacophoto.bkk tacophoto.bkk At the heart of this house lies the common area on the second floor, which seamlessly integrates the living room, dining space, and kitchen. This common area opens toward a swimming pool in the center of the house, creating a fluid connection between indoor and outdoor areas. Conceived as a space for family gatherings, the space encourages interaction du... More

Designed by architects Chitra V and Divya Rajesh of The Design Pursuit, this private villa in Kerala embodies a harmonious blend of nostalgia and contemporary living. Conceived for Mr. Jayagopal Kottilil and his wife Sajini, an NRI couple returning to their homeland for retirement, the residence reflects their desire for modern comforts intertwined with deep-rooted connections to their past. Design tries to do justice to the image of a home that has been etched into the clients’ minds during their lifetime of travels, their innate ties to their hometown and ancestral land. Caption Caption Concept:  Embracing Nostalgia: A home overlooking an old Mango tree Pivotal to the design is a venerable mango tree, a living reli... More

IntroductionThe residence is structured around the Nalukettu as its spatial and cultural core. Formal living, family living, and dining spaces are planned in a continuous ring around the courtyard, allowing natural light and ventilation to shape everyday life. The design reinterprets vernacular principles into a calm, contemporary residential form. Filmopaths Production, Archtales ConceptThe form evolves from the Nalukettu, with masses arranged around a central courtyard. Articulated volumes, shaded verandahs, and deep overhangs create climatic comfort within a contemporary architectural expression. Filmopaths Production, Archtales Inspired by the Nalukettu, the residence centers around a courtyard that forms the climatic and em... More

Conceived as a seamless integration between architecture and interior design, where spatial continuity and material coherence define the overall experience. Seraro by Ramical Seraro by Ramical The project emphasizes indoor-outdoor living through open-plan social areas that extend դեպի covered terraces, outdoor dining spaces, and leisure zones. Natural materials, warm tones, and controlled lighting create a balanced and refined atmosphere throughout. Seraro by Ramical Seraro by Ramical Seraro by Ramical Seraro by Ramical Circulation spaces are designed as experiential transitions, incorporating elements such as water and vegetation to reinforce the connection with the surrounding environment. The private area... More

Located on a remote Caribbean island, this ocean-front home emphasizes outdoor living at its core. Encompassing eight suites, a pool, courtyards, and large gathering spaces, this project can comfortably accommodate large family gatherings without sacrificing plentiful daylight, ocean breezes, and dramatic views for any occupant. Caption Caption Caption To withstand seasonal hurricane conditions, our client requested a robust concrete and coralstone palette for the building envelope, accentuated with bold forms and airy spaces. Crisp, rational exteriors and expansive interiors highlight the natural beauty of the site; three pavilions share a large sandy courtyard for lounging while smaller adjacent courtyards offer destinatio... More

Idyllically located in a Sunshine Coast hamlet wedged between nature reserves, Currimundi Lake and the surf beach, Veil + Co. House is a multigenerational co-living coastal residence. With an atypical entry and a deeply setback main dwelling, the project reinterprets traditional Queensland housing for contemporary living, showcasing flexible accommodation and high levels of privacy. Alanna Jayne McTiernan This new home needed to flexibly accommodate grandparents or Airbnb guests while also providing adaptable long term family living along with work-from-home requirements for both parents. Visual and acoustic privacy required particular attention to suit a multigenerational or shared accommodation arrangement with the clients’ yo... More