A holistic retreat center for inner transformation, nature immersion, and deep purification.
Bumi Cinta Project – Sustainable Architecture
Philosophy
Bumi Cinta is a quiet tribute to the serene beauty of Les, Bali. Each space is guided by simplicity and respect for nature, rising lightly on stilts and opening to the rhythms of the ocean, sky, and valley.
Designing on a Slope
The design follows the natural slope and contours of the land, with buildings shaped by the landscape and their relationship to the view. Each structure rests lightly on the terrain, preserving the ecosystem beneath while opening outward to ocean, valley, and sky. In this way, architecture dissolves into its setting, creating a seamless connection between land, form, and experience
Deep Land Study
Tucked away in the lush jungle of Bali’s north coast, Bumi Cinta Eco Retreat Center was envisioned as a retreat for purification and renewal. Surrounded by cacao and rambutan plantations, the retreat opens outward, linking its setting to the forests, valleys, and the ocean.
Environmental Strategies
Material Integrity
The material palette grounds the retreat in its philosophy while reducing its environmental footprint. Materials create a language of simplicity and honesty, where buildings feel both protective and open, blending indoor spaces into the natural landscape that surround them.
Wood
Reclaimed timber such as ironwood and teak wood.
Bamboo
Locally sourced bamboo molded with Balinese artisty.
Stone
Site-sources stone providing foundations to the land.
Rainwater Harvesting
Existing terraces have been stabilized and restored using earth recovered from foundation excavations. These terraces slow rainwater runoff, allowing it to permeate the landscape, creating a passive irrigation system while reducing soil erosion.
Water Recycling & Conservation
Greywater recycling systems purify water from sinks and showers for landscape irrigation, while blackwater treatment systems recycle nutrients into specialized gardens with fruit-bearing plants. These systems use microorganisms and plants to clean the water, requiring only natural soaps and shampoos. To further reduce freshwater demand, low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets have been installed.
Water Recycling & Conservation
Greywater recycling systems purify water from sinks and showers for landscape irrigation, while blackwater treatment systems recycle nutrients into specialized gardens with fruit-bearing plants. These systems use microorganisms and plants to clean the water, requiring only natural soaps and shampoos. To further reduce freshwater demand, low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets have been installed.
Energy Solutions
The project integrates sustainable practices by utilizing solar-powered lighting for the landscape, reducing electricity consumption by excluding air conditioners, and opting for cleaner fuel sources such as LPG to power the spa and hot water systems.
