Bali High

A luxurious getaway home overlooking the rugged beauty of the Indonesian coastline provides the ultimate escape in a resort-inspired setting

- Dorothy Waldman

Perched high on the edge of a limestone cliff on the Bukit Peninsula, SAOTA’s first completed project in Bali, Indonesia presents an intricately woven tapestry of natural elements and inspired luxury. With projects on six continents, the internationally acclaimed, South Africa-based architectural firm designed this contemporary holiday home in Uluwatu. Ulu means ‘land’s end’ and watu means ‘rock’, perfectly describing the views of rugged beauty and endless ocean delivered from a precipice above some of the world’s best surfing beaches. Perfectly attuned to its breathtaking surroundings, with an east-west orientation, the resort-inspired layout takes full advantage of distant vistas as well as integrated indoor and outdoor garden spaces.

A series of courtyards, gardens and other planted terraces are intertwined with the architecture, integrating structure and nature into a cohesive unit that seamlessly separates private suites from public living and social spaces. The innovative design unites form and function in contemporary luxury to instil a true sense of place that pays homage to the local culture, enhances the indigenous tropical splendour and celebrates the awe-inspiring views of the sunrise over the ocean.