LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Creating Two River Valleys from One
HOSHINOYA Bali is located in eastern Ubud, on a flat tract of land that dips suddenly towards a river valley. It is a very typical type of Balinese geography, and Hasegawa used it to create two distinctive zones.
The villas are all located on the flat part of the premises, where they surround three long canal-like swimming pools. The pools are dotted with carefully arranged water gardens that Hasegawa used to create private sections of pool that are immediately adjacent to each villa, as well as a canal-like public area in the center of each pool. The gardens give the pools the appearance of naturally-occurring streams—a visual echo of the river valleys found in this part of Bali.
Public spaces, which are all located at the edge of the valley, are similarly woven into the natural landscape. Along the top of the valley, a boardwalk has been built along an ancient canal—a key feature of the traditional Balinese irrigation system known as a subak. Guests first set foot on this boardwalk upon exiting the reception building, which is located in an inconspicuous part of the resort; they are immediately transported to a Balinese jungle. A series of birdcage-like cafe gazebos hover above the boardwalk and look out onto the valley. Here, guests may relax in an environment that offers a full view of the surrounding majestic nature.
