The inspiration for the family-owned Bisma Eight hotel in Ubud was to create a monolithic style pre-cast concrete design that was inspired by the work of the legendary Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The materials were chosen such as to stay away from the usual brick, plaster and cladding and for their functionality and maturing over time. Throughout the property, the use of old Balinese and Javanese doors scavenged from dilapidated and unkempt homes sheds a distinguishable aesthetic that embraces the principles of sustainable building. Each of the 38 suites come with Southern walnut flooring lined with copper sheet trimmings. The use of solid sungkai wood with jute screens allows for comfortable, spatial partitions. The highlight is the Japanese-inspired soaking tub made out of Canadian cedar wood carefully placed next to tegel kunci tiles and terrazzo sinks to create a softer touch over the general masculinity of the predominantly wooden suites.
The pool pavilion is Ubud’s only temperature-controlled pool. Furniture and cabanas were designed in collaboration with the Brazilian furniture designer Zapp Design. On the rooftop, the edges are lined with planter troughs, potted plants to allow for passion fruit creepers to climb up the steel mesh and to fall through the canopy area. The architecture belongs to Arte Architects Bali with interior design by Jasper Chia of Fuur Design Singapore. The signature Copper Kitchen & Bar is an all-day contemporary cuisine venue that has an old-world charm to it. The highlight of this space is a skylight roof over the dining area with bullet-shaped conical copper chandeliers. The branch lighting creates starry night effect. Nearby, is the hotel’s private garden initiative run by a farm cooperative, and a source of the fresh produce that goes into its many exciting dishes, mocktails, and desserts.
Info and images courtesy of Bisma Eight
