Project Info
Project Name: Lost Lindenberg Resort
Architects: Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel
Location: Bali, Indonesia
A Vertical Journey from Grotesque to Serene
The Lost Lindenberg resort in Bali’s remote Jembrana region is not merely a place of rest; it is an architectural narrative built upon contrast and elevation. Conceived by Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel, this eight bedroom boutique hotel rejects beachfront sprawl in favor of a vertical, almost dreamlike experience. The design elevates the guest physically and emotionally, creating a secluded retreat that feels less like a building and more like a floating ship anchored in the dense tropical canopy.
The architects’ primary move was a daring act of verticality. Four colossal, dark timber towers rise from the ground, deliberately lifting the primary living spaces to the level of the surrounding tree line, offering unobstructed views of the jungle and the Indian Ocean beyond. This strategy not only protects the structures from the high tides of the black sand beach below but also delivers on the architects' vision of a secluded "floating village".
The approach to the resort is a carefully orchestrated sequence of sensory shifts. Arrival begins with an abrupt, almost jarring introduction: a door set in a simple wall featuring a vibrant, almost grotesque neon light installation by German artist Tobias Rehberger. This moment of urban surrealism serves as a psychological barrier, a dramatic foil to the profound serenity that lies within. Once past this door, the journey narrows onto a quiet footpath through the jungle, forcing guests to slow down and transition before they encounter the elevated, silent wooden forms.
The architecture is defined by its deep, contemplative material palette. The towers are clad in sustainably sourced wood, primarily Bangkirai, stained in dark tones to deliberately blend into the shadows and hues of the surrounding foliage. This aesthetic ensures the buildings appear less like intrusions and more like geological extensions of the forest itself. The rooms cantilever outward at the top, capped by elegant shallow pyramidal roofs that provide necessary shade while ensuring minimal visual impact from afar—only a jagged roofline is barely discernible by fishermen at sea.
Inside the two bedroom suites, simplicity and connection to nature prevail. The spaces are encased entirely in dark wood, punctuated by full height glazing that dissolves the boundary between the interior sanctuary and the wild jungle at the doorstep. Even the floors utilize Bali green stone, further grounding the experience in local materiality, with brass accents providing subtle, warm contrast.
A key element of the resort’s hospitality concept is the emphasis on communal living. The four towers are intentionally grouped closely together, connected by a network of elevated walkways. These aerial bridges are designed not just for transition but for interaction, encouraging guests to spend time with one another and reinforce the idea of a cohesive, though elevated, community. By embracing height, using dark materials that absorb light, and orchestrating a journey from the jarring to the tranquil, Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel have created a profound piece of architecture. The Lost Lindenberg is a resort that provides not just luxury, but a genuine feeling of being detached and safely elevated in a world of pure, wild nature
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