Excerpt: Ulaman Eco-Luxury Resort by Inspiral Architecture and Design Studios is a haven of tranquility that seamlessly connects with its natural surroundings. The design emphasizes sustainability through the use of rammed earth, bamboo, natural stone, and recycled timbers, blending eco-friendly technologies with organic architecture. With curvilinear roof formations, cantilevered bamboo structures, and geometric dining pods, the resort offers an eco-luxurious retreat.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Nestled in the heart of Kaba-Kaba, Bali, the Ulaman Eco-Luxury Resort is a haven of tranquility that seamlessly connects with its natural surroundings. Surrounded by lush forests, picturesque rice fields, and a breathtaking river, the retreat embodies a deep reverence for nature. Sustainability lies at the core of the retreat’s ethos, evident in its design and operations.
Harnessing the power of the river, a hydroelectric generator provides sustainable energy to the entire complex. Supplementary to the river, a swamp wasteland was completely revived, becoming a lake which functions as a reservoir for its hydroelectric turbines and has created a micro-ecosystem that adds light and ambiance to the site. Solar panels in the parking area further contribute to the Retreat’s sustainable energy sources.
Locally sourced materials, such as rammed earth, bamboo, natural stone, and recycled timbers not only enhance the retreat’s low carbon status but also offer excellent insulation and structural properties. The earth used for the rammed earth was taken from the site and a team of local’s recruited and trained from the nearby village, resulting in great connection between the project and local community. In addition a materials and construction 3D physical model gallery is located at the reception of Ulaman as an educational tool to those who visit.
Bamboo, a remarkably sustainable material, is extensively used in the resort’s construction, showcasing the unique beauty of bamboo architecture which seamlessly blends with the surrounding vegetation, along with the warm tones of rammed earth, with curvilinear roof formations that can be admired from various angles and aspects. The yoga studio is a true architectural marvel, with its cantilevered structure supporting a parabolic bamboo pavilion, seemingly suspended on the edge of a cliff.
The guest villas and rooms provide an eco-luxurious experience, enveloping guests in a nurturing and cocoon-like environment. The dining areas feature geometric pods that serve as mini holistic cathedrals, perched above a sacred junction of waterfalls. The retreat also incorporates composite SIP panels, which are visible in various roof structures and the spa building. These panels, made from recycled and recyclable EPS with earth-based, fiber-reinforced polymer renders, are lightweight, strong, and highly insulative.
Ulaman Eco-Luxury Resort represents a harmonious blend of sustainable technologies and materials, showcasing a cohesive and innovative approach to eco-friendly practices. The extensive use of rammed earth within the project leads us to the conclusion that this is most likely the largest rammed earth project in South East Asia. The eco-dreamscape that is Ulaman stands at the forefront of tropical sustainable design, its vision transcends the present, where sustainable design is no longer a distinct category, but rather an integral element in all building designs. The methods employed to preserve and revive the surrounding ecosystem have set the bar for what is possible when the architectural designer is dedicated to the pursuit of sustainability.
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