Fish Tail Tea Room

Fish Tail Tea Room, located on the cliffs of Diamond Beach, Nusa Penida, is part of Intaaya Retreat and was conceived as a space for introspection and connection. The project adapts to the terrain and uses locally sourced materials, prioritizing low environmental impact.

The structure is entirely built with Dendrocalamus asper bamboo, treated and crafted in Bali. The walls and floors are made of rammed earth using limestone from the site, while the handwoven bamboo ceiling enhances artisanal texture. Windows of reclaimed wood from traditional Indonesian joglos open the space to the landscape.

The floor plan combines a central oval with two semicircles at the ends. The main space, designed for tea ceremonies, meditation, and gatherings, opens toward the horizon, while the semicircles house the bathrooms. The roof responds to this arrangement: it rises in the center to provide a sense of expansion and ocean views, then descends at the sides to create intimacy and naturally define the entrance.

Structurally, the building follows the oval geometry with six king post trusses. At both ends, bamboo columns arranged in groups support the extended roof, while curved purlins formed by bamboo trios create an organic flow.

Thermal comfort is achieved through passive design: a south-east orientation, cross ventilation regulated by pivoting windows, rammed earth walls that stabilize temperature, and an insulated bamboo roof. A cohesive chromatic palette, laminated bamboo doors with textured finishes, and artisanal detailing reinforce the relationship between materiality and space.

Fish Tail Tea Room embodies craftsmanship, nature, and spatial experience, offering a contemplative place where architecture and landscape fully converge.