Nestled behind a lush mangrove on Flores, an island neighbour to the lizard-laden Komodo in Indonesia, Menjaga Bay is a charming boutique diving resort featuring twenty exclusive suites. A long undulating pontoon accommodates ten water suites culminating in the sunset bar, which boasts 360-degree views of the incredible surroundings. Another ten suites sit on the mountainous slopes looking out onto the islands that punctuate the water below.
The location of the resort along such a rich, volcanic coastline means the land and sea is brimming with diverse flora and fauna. As such it was incredibly important to design this island getaway with nature in mind, endeavouring to avoid as much ecosystem or terrain disturbance as possible. To achieve this each area adapts to its environment, touching the ground in different ways over the mountains, along the coastline, through the mangrove and into the sea.
The mountain villas hang form the cliffside, hidden between the wild and intense green vegetation, whereas the main bungalow (clubhouse) occupies the mountain base and presents a more organic architecture. A pontoon weaves through the mangrove to later branch out to the sea villas, all of this is set on Borneo ironwood stilts, carefully placed so as not to disturb the wildlife dependant on the unique mangrove ecosystem or ocean habitats.
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As the project aims to disturb its environment as little as possible, we chose to utilise local materials such as teak and stones sourced from the area to ensure the resort blended in and respected its wild surroundings. The scheme also utilises regional building techniques and aesthetics such as the villa’s joglo roofs that pay homage to the local architecture.
The villas are oriented to ensure privacy and evoke the calm serenity of being completely immersed in nature, while the spacious communal areas are designed to give the guests the opportunity to interact with one another as well as the capacity to relax in solitude after a long diving day.
Menjaga Bay / Flores, Indonesia
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