Keeping Paradise Beautiful

Alexis Dornier, the name behind some of Bali’s most stunning architecture shares his approach to modern, tropical design that pushes the boundaries of sustainable architecture.

- Arista Kwek

It's been a challenging 10 years for Alexis Dornier. After all, he's had to find ways to keep paradise beautiful.

One of Bali's most celebrated architects, Dornier made the island his home a decade ago. He is known for his modern, industrial designs that are striking yet never seem out of place with their surroundings.

Dornier's journey to the island paradise began from a friend's request to design his residence in Bali, which led to more of such commissions. This eventually paved the way for his own relocation to Ubud where he began consulting on locally designed and built architectural projects.

Born in Germany in 1981, the architecture graduate from the Berlin University of the Arts kick-started his career in New York City. There, he had stints in world-class firms like Asymptote Architecture, OMA-NY, and Rex.

Dornier recalls that even though his time at these firms were highly fulfilling, the unsustainably long hours left many, including himself, with little time or energy to develop fresh ideas. “I thought that if I ever had my own studio, I would like a work culture that gave people the time to explore and exchange new ideas,” Dornier says.

His move to Ubud allowed him to pursue that vision. Opening a studio in a place known for its easy-going way of life introduced Dornier to a whole new way of working. “People in Bali are much more open-minded, which allows ideas to be played out from multiple perspectives and angles,” he points out.