inspiral architects combines bamboo + rammed earth for ulaman eco retreat in bali

located in bali’s kaba-kaba village, ‘ulaman eco retreat resort’ by inspiral architecture and design is built using materials found directly on the site and the immediate locality. rammed earth is used for the resort‘s ground level walls, while the rest of the structure has been made with bamboo, much of which was harvested from the site. its guest villas, each of which complete with its own private pool, are topped with curvilinear roofs that can be admired from different heights and angles.

all images courtesy of ulaman eco retreat resort unless stated otherwise

inspiral architecture and design studios has integrated ulaman eco retreat resort into the surrounding forest, which borders luscious rice fields on one side and a river on the other. the river produces enough flow to power a hydro electric generator that can sustain the power of the buildings within the complex. the use of materials found directly on the site or in the immediate locality enable the resort to become fully carbon zero.image by mochila monkeys

the resort’s curved, ground level walls are built with rammed earth, connecting guests to the beauty of the material, its physicality and layered coloring. ‘being very intensive to build, we were able to recruit the nearby village to work on what has become the most substantial rammed earth project in indonesia,’ explains the balinese architectural collective. the rest of the construction has been made with bamboo, much of which was harvested from the site.

bamboo has been chosen not only because of its sustainable qualities but also for its flexibility, which allowed the architects to create ‘spaces that echo the abundance of life in the tropics.’ built objects seem to biologically morph from the surrounding elements, as if naturally growing from the ground and sprouting among the rich vegetation. among the resort’s facilities is a yoga studio, which literally floats from the cliff’s edge with a cantilevered structure supporting a parabolic bamboo pavilion.

inspiral architects has built eight guest rooms and one large, three-bedroom residence for ulaman eco retreat, all of which are characterized by an eco luxury aesthetic. the curvilinear formations of the roofs can be admired from different heights and angles, while the reflections from the meandering pool below add to the effect. the prospect for phase two will see a feature restaurant, river spa and elevated pod rooms intertwined with the existing trees.