Woven around paddy fields, coconut trees and tropical foliage, this Balinese home transcends a typical rainforest retreat.
‘Retreat’ is often used to describe homes that offer a natural escape from the everyday, but Rumah Haruku brings a whole new meaning to the word. Designed by Ubud-based Bada Studio, founded by Maurizio Moeis and Made Dirgantara, the home captures a client’s love for Indonesian culture, tropical architecture and minimalist interiors.
When the studio first visited the site, Moeis says they were struck by the lush gardens and mature trees “that seemed to hum with life”—the ideal canvas for creating a home that directly engaged with its surroundings. “This place deserved something special that honoured the land’s history and celebrated its natural beauty,” he adds.
While the home is shaped around the mature trees on-site, Bada Studio introduced lush and wild tropical plants to further enhance the relationship between the architecture and landscape. “This interplay between the house and its verdant surroundings reflects the couple’s vision of a deeply connected, sustainable living experience,” Moeis says.
As the project’s name suggests, the studio looked to Borneo’s stilted rainforest long houses ‘rumah panjang’ for inspiration. This can be seen in the expandable living room, which completely opens up so that the outdoor bench railing can double as additional seating. “This design effectively enlarges the room when entertaining guests and reflects the couple’s desire for a home grounded in nature and adaptable to their needs,” Dirgantara says.
Karpet Lontar, traditionally a Balinese floor covering, is a distinctive material in the home used on the ceiling.
All materials were sourced locally for the home to align with Bada Studio’s commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.
Custom-designed furniture was created for the home, including the built-in sofa in the living room, bed and hidden wardrobe.
Bada Studio leaned on locally sourced materials, integrating features such as a hipped roof with two different slopes, characteristic of Balinese homes. The roof is covered with ‘Sirap Ulin’ shingles, supported by a Bangkirai timber structure. The windows and doors are also made from Bangkirai timber, a material used internally for the wall panels and flooring to create a warm and embracing interior atmosphere. “A distinctive feature of the home is the ceiling, which is covered with ‘Karpet Lontar’, traditionally used for floor coverings in Balinese ceremonial activities,” Dirgantara explains. “This subtle nod to Balinese culture adds a layer of texture and meaning, reinforcing the couple’s deep connection to the land and its traditions.”
Cement tiles were custom-made to achieve the desired forest canopy green colour, coupled with terrazzo flooring in the bathroom and kitchen. At the same time, Bada Studio custom-designed furniture for the home, such as the living room’s built-in sofa, maximising the space and ensuring continuity with the architectural lines. Other pieces were selected from the island, both rustic and antique, predominantly made from old and recycled teak.
Bada Studio’s deep appreciation for the natural setting, traditional architecture, and local craftsmanship not only makes Rumah Haruku feel as if it has always belonged but also an idyllic place to call home.
Bada Studio also sourced antique and rustic pieces from the island, mostly crafted from reclaimed teak.
