The Wing Residence is a Study in Experimentation by Alexis Dornier

By nisha-edi

15 Mar 2022 07:28 AM

The Wing Residence designed by Alexis Dornier in Ubud incorporates contemporary elements while blending in with the vernacular context of the site

Located in the picturesque town of Ubud in the uplands of Bali in Indonesia, the design intention for this residence was to create a structure that sits well within its surroundings, integrates into the vernacular context of the site and stands for something unseen yet experimental. The architects aimed to advocate for an architecture that experiments and blends different ideas into one unconventional and particular form. The roof’s main characteristic formulates the gradual fade between an A-frame and a box—symbols for the traditional and the contemporary.

All bedrooms are located on the second floor, and the material change from the 1st to the 2nd floors advocates for the building’s single story reading—that the scale wants to be manipulated carefully enough for the mass to not stick out and instead evoke inclusivity. The L-shaped floor plan brackets the pool and deck space area, and formulates half of the courtyard, while being open to the neighbouring rice fields.

The ceiling theme of the living room is that of a double-height space. The light crease dramatically pulls the attention inward to the hallway, or from the hallway out to the living room. The fluted ceilings articulate the distinct material concept, while the wood adds to the warm atmosphere of a tropical home. Large transparent glass façades make the inside connect to the outside, while large overhangs protect from the heavy rains and sunshine of Bali. The building is close to other buildings, yet the back wall acts as a shell to protect from sound pollution and at the same time provide privacy.