Thorp House

Thorp House is a luxury villa for a growing family in Sanur, Bali. The project seeks to find an equilibrium between traditional and modern forms, materials and lifestyles both from the perspective of the client and local planners.

Central to the scheme is an open plan kitchen, living and dining area, housed under a traditional alang-alang roof. Ample overhangs provide shading throughout the day year-round, and floor-to-ceiling glazing brings the landscape to prominence throughout the house. A linear skylight allows daylight to penetrate throughout the living space whilst illuminating it like a lantern at night.

To contrast the traditional roof, we inserted a minimalist modern volume to provide a mezzanine office, master suite and terrace. Material changes exaggerate the shift, with light terrazzo giving way to dark marble to provide a more intimate vibe. Teak wall panelling insulates from external distractions to provide a calming space to rest.

In the exterior, a generous terrace invites you into the landscape, where local species of plants and trees provide a familiar environment that Bali is renowned for. Landscape programs activate different parts at different times, and cover activities from meditation to entertainment. The swimming pool breaks with form traditions with terraced seating and massage benches placed alongside a swimming lane. The result is a well-thought-out house that transitions fluidly between different uses and caters for all the needs of this growing family.