Project Name: Shell Restaurant

Location: Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

Design Team: Pablo Luna Studio

Total Floor Area: 265 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Tommaso Riva

Feature:

Project - Pablo Luna Studio has completed their latest project - Shell Restaurant on the cliffs of Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali. This 265-square-meter structure serves as an integral part of the Intaaya Retreat, seamlessly integrating biomimetic design with environmental sustainability.

The project's most distinctive feature is its innovative structural system composed of 13 alternating-height trusses crafted from yellow Petung bamboo. These trusses rise naturally from the ground like the ribbed interior of a seashell, forming an organic roof that emerges as a direct response to the surrounding landscape. The framework is complemented by a hand-woven bamboo ceiling and wooden shingles that maintain the natural materiality of the design.

The spatial layout is carefully orchestrated to create an open and adaptable interior, free from intermediate supports. Tree-like bamboo columns at the front edge not only provide structural support but also allow natural light to penetrate the space, enhancing the interior atmosphere and reducing dependency on artificial illumination. The spatial experience was thoughtfully choreographed through a gradual expansion both vertically and horizontally as visitors move through the building, creating meaningful transitions that connect diners to the surrounding landscape.

The project's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach to sustainability. It incorporates rainwater harvesting, efficient water appliances, and a sophisticated wastewater treatment system developed with the Biosphere Foundation, forming a regenerative water cycle. Photovoltaic solar panels meet a large portion of the electricity demand, while a Sustainable Construction Plan implemented during the building process prevented pollution and waste management issues.

This is not merely a restaurant but a vivid demonstration of how biomimetically inspired design can be combined with environmental practices to create architecture that doesn't just adapt to its natural surroundings but actively contributes to enhancing environmental value.

Design Team - Founded in 2016, Pablo Luna Studio has established itself as one of Indonesia's most innovative architectural practices, renowned for its biomimetic and sustainable design philosophy. This Ubud, Bali-based studio was established by Chilean-born architect Pablo Luna, who has Peruvian-Lebanese heritage and received his architectural education at Columbia University in New York before relocating to Bali in 2014 to explore sustainable design and bamboo construction.

The studio is a dynamic group of designers, architects, and artisans focused on creating spaces that harmonize with nature. Their design approach is deeply rooted in biophilic principles, drawing inspiration from organic forms, patterns, and processes found in the natural world. The practice emphasizes using locally appropriate materials including bamboo, reclaimed wood, rammed earth, limestone, cob, and bricks, believing that ecological balance and harmony in design stem from engagement with locally sourced materials.

Under Pablo Luna's leadership, the studio has completed over 100 unique projects across Indonesia, Chile, Mexico, India, Spain, Portugal, Uganda, and Costa Rica. Their work is characterized by combining in-depth environmental analysis with client needs, embracing local building techniques, materials, and regulations, integrating their work with craftsmanship and legal compliance.

The studio's methodology combines rigorous research with profound understanding of nature, creating projects that are not just constructed but thoughtfully integrated into their surroundings, leaving a lasting positive impact. Pablo Luna Studio's work has received recognition both within Indonesia and internationally, demonstrating its growing influence in the field of organic architecture and expanding international portfolio.