Sea creatures inform sweeping bamboo roofs of Intaaya Retreat in Indonesia
Undulating bamboo roofs modelled on seashells, fish and manta rays provide shelter for facilities across this wellness retreat in Indonesia, designed by Balinese practice Pablo Luna Studio.
Located on the edge of a cliff on the island Nusa Penida, Intaaya Retreat comprises 12 tented guest suites alongside a yoga studio, spa, restaurant and tea room, each sheltered beneath a distinct roof topped with timber shingles.
Looking to minimise the retreat's environmental impact, Pablo Luna Studio created the lightweight structures using local materials such as bamboo, limestone and rammed earth.
The project was recently shortlisted in both the leisure and wellness project and sustainable building categories of Dezeen Awards 2025.
"The design draws inspiration from the ocean and the principles of biomimicry, resulting in structures that echo the fluid movements of marine life," Pablo Luna Studio told Dezeen.
"It combines Balinese craftsmanship with environmentally regenerative systems to promote wellbeing, awareness, and connection with the natural and cultural context of Nusa Penida," it continued.
Each of Intaaya Retreat's five facility buildings is based on a different form of marine life, beginning with the Shell Lobby. Located at the site's entrance and highest point, this reception area overlooks the entire retreat, sheltered beneath a domed, crab-like roof.
Alongside it is the Shell Restaurant, topped by an undulating roof that mimics a giant clam, while the Fish Tail Tea Room features a curved pitch roof with ends that sweep upwards.
A series of winding paths leads past a swimming pool and connects to the tent suites and the Manta Yoga Studio and Shell Spa, both of which are positioned closer to the cliff edge and have roofs resembling their namesakes.
"This spatial sequence reflects the overall masterplan of Intaaya, a descent from the highest point of arrival to the very edge of the cliff," said Pablo Luna Studio. "The journey moves from enclosure to openness, from land to sea, culminating where the architecture meets the horizon."
The roofs are supported by branching clusters of bamboo columns and all clad with shingles of native ulin wood, which will weather over time to a silvery grey shade.
The majority of spaces have been left completely open to the elements, apart from the tea room and spa, which are more enclosed by walls of rammed earth and glazing.
For the tent suites, canvas fabric has been stretched over timber and rammed-earth structures, with each opening out onto a dedicated terrace looking out towards the sea.
As much of Nusa Penida's energy grid runs on diesel, Intaaya Retreat incorporates solar panels to provide all of its electricity. It also uses a rainwater harvesting and a natural wastewater treatment system developed in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Biosphere Foundation.
Founded by Chilean architect Pablo Luna, Pablo Luna Studio has also recently been shortlisted in the emerging architect of the year category of Dezeen Awards 2025.
Other examples of bamboo architecture recently featured on Dezeen include a Buddhist meditation hall in Nepal by Abari and a stingray-shaped restaurant in the Maldives by Atelier Nomadic.
The photography is by Wari Om.
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