As any seasoned traveller will testify, Bali isn’t exactly short of appealing accommodation options. Sure, luxury pads are well-represented almost anywhere on the tropical island, but few places pair contemporary comfort with a modern take on local flavour as Potato Head does. The Indonesian hospitality group is firmly anchored on Bali with Potato Head Desa, a cluster of venues in the Seminyak area on the island’s hugely popular west coast. As said, the company has always emphasized its Indonesian identity, and continues to do so, as proven by Potato Head Studios, the newest addition to its seaside home base. In fact, Potato Head Studios boldly steps up the identity element by way of striking architecture, challenging the usual resort typology along the way.
Designed by acclaimed Rotterdam-based architecture practice OMA, the notion of ‘exclusivity’ is abandoned, and instead, the resort is reconsidered as a part of the local community, in this case, the Desa Potato Head. Mind you, desa is Indonesian for village, and the newly opened lodgings not only seamlessly connect with the other two venues in the lush surroundings, but they’re also constructed as such to enable easy access and exploration. A ring of recycled brick and concrete is supported by pilotis, accommodating 168 guest rooms, an exhibition space and a large sunset bar, resulting in a cultural ground plane of sorts which leads to the beach. Each room is designed with a keen eye for detail and design, and last but not least, sustainability.
Furnishings are by British designer Max Lamb, and include a recycled-plastic desk chair and accessories, volcanic glassware, volcanic ceramics, patio furniture, floor lamps and a bamboo chair. Bins, baskets and trays made by Potato Head‘s research and development team at Sustainism Lab, using recycled styrofoam, plastic bottles and caps, and food waste such as oyster and clam shells. You’ll even get fully biodegradable slippers made from coconut husks, woven palm leaves, fabric offcuts and pond reeds. The open platform is the centre piece of the resort and versatile stage for a range of events for guests. The roof top is also conceived as a public space and a sculptural park, and is accessible through a public route that winds up the floating complex, connecting amenity spaces including restaurants, pools, and spas.
Potato Head Studios
Desa Potato Head, Jalan Petitenget 51B (Seminyak)
Bali 80361
Telephone: +62 361 3029999
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
