The Treehouse C by Stilt Studios is all about Living in Harmony with Nature

Stilt Studios recently unveiled the wooden prototype of Treehouse C in Ubud, Bali. The non-intrusive design promotes the philosophy of living in harmony with nature.

Located just outside the popular town of Ubud on the island of Bali in Indonesia, the idyllic village of Penestanan has been known as an artist’s village since the 1930s. Now it has also become the site for the first wooden prototype of Treehouse C by Stilt Studios, which has been launched after only four months of construction time. The area is conveniently located at a 15-minute walking distance to Ubud centre. Being in close proximity to cozy restaurants and happening bars, while also being embedded in lush rice fields at the same time, it is a quiet area with a high living standard. The Treehouse is part of a little housing community called Bukit Sari.

Like the other studios A to C, the structural principle of the wooden Treehouse C consists of a core element that is made of four vertical columns braced by a staircase, which suspends both the ceiling and the floor plane with firm steel cables spanning from that core. This results in the reduction of member cross-sections and building parts for the entire building. Besides impacting the building’s memorable hovering appearance, the guiding structural principle allows a plane field to create slender facades with thin window frames and panels that do not need to carry anything else but their own load.

The layout of the studio differs from the previous Treehouse C in Buduk that launched in October 2020. Instead of one open space all around and a corner terrace, this unit is divided into a kitchen with a living area and a spacious bedroom with a sitting area. Both areas are connected through the bathroom. The unit fits 2-4 people easily in a 64 sq m space, and it provides a stunning view of the rice fields. On clear days, you can even witness the sun rising behind Mount Agung.

The surrounding garden system was designed and executed by True Nature Nusantara, a Bali-based regenerative landscape design consultancy that specialises in using permaculture design principles to create edible landscapes. According to their director, Bodhi Denton, “The goal with this garden was to create a dreamy and wild labyrinth of low-maintenance and colourful perennial plants and trees, with hidden away places to sit and enjoy the view of the adjacent rice fields.” The gardens are full of flowers, tropical ornamental plants, edible fruits and herbs. It even features a small pond at one of the corners.

PHOTO CREDITS: Arley Mardo (eikonstudios.com)
TEXT: Provided by the Architects

FACTFILE
Project: Wooden Treehouse C, Ubud, Bali
Architects: Stilt Studios
Typology: Residential Studio, Hospitality
Architectural Design: Alexis Dornier
Landscaping: True Nature Nusantara
Size: 64 sq m
Year of Completion: May 2021