Origin: Bali, Indonesia, blending traditional Balinese compounds with the tropical resort style of the 20th century
The traditional Balinese home is a set of small buildings within a walled compound, linked by courtyards and paths. Today the Bali look is known for tropical retreat design: thatch or light roofing, timber, stone, rattan, bamboo, pools and surrounding greenery. Semi-outdoor spaces such as the open pavilion (bale) and deep verandas are the centre of daily life.
In Vietnam it suits garden villas, homestays and retreat houses especially well. Real thatch burns easily and rots quickly, so use pressed bamboo, roof tiles or fire-retardant thatch-look sheets. Northern winters are cold and damp, so openings need glazing that can close, while hot summers call for deep eaves and wide-canopy trees; synthetic rattan is the practical choice outdoors.
