- Project: River House
- Architect: ALEXIS DORNIER
- Location: Indonesia, Bali
- Year: 2023
- Area: 1440 m2
- Photography: KIE
A Modern Residence Blending Luxury and Nature
River House by Alexis Dornier is a striking 5-bedroom home in Mengwi, Bali, that embodies a masterful fusion of modern design and tropical context. Spanning 15,500 square feet, this architectural marvel is defined by its two-level structure—an open ground floor for communal living and a private upper level that floats above the garden and pool.
The design responds to Bali’s natural beauty with spatial openness, high ceilings, and carefully choreographed movement throughout the home. The ground floor seamlessly merges with the outdoor deck and pool, while the upper level houses the bedrooms, offering panoramic views of rice fields and coconut trees.
Architectural Form and Spatial Flow
The home’s geometry is defined by a cubistic upper volume, which appears to hover above the lower level, creating a dynamic contrast. The expansive swimming pool stretches toward the rice fields, forming a bold linear axis that complements the home’s horizontal layout.
Circulation within the house is an experience in itself—semi-open walkways, covered corridors, and a central atrium crowned with a large skylight guide visitors through a sequence of varied perspectives and atmospheres.
Materiality Rooted in Local Tradition
In keeping with Dornier’s biophilic design ethos, River House incorporates reclaimed timber, locally sourced sandstone, and natural stone throughout. These tactile surfaces evoke a timeless, grounded aesthetic, while referencing Bali’s rich vernacular building tradition.
The facade is wrapped in a wooden lattice that not only provides shading and privacy but also abstracts the structure into a sculptural form—transforming it from a home into an architectural object embedded in nature.
Interior Experience and Private Spaces
Each of the five bedrooms is a sanctuary above the treetops, capturing sunset views across palm canopies. Natural stone finishes, minimal yet refined furnishing, and ambient lighting create environments of calm, rest, and retreat.
A roof garden sits atop the residence, accessible via the central skylit atrium. This elevated green space provides an immersive connection to the landscape and offers expansive views of the surrounding forest and hills.
Immersed in Bali’s Landscape
Surrounded by palm trees, banana plants, and bodhi trees, River House is an architectural response to the lush Balinese setting. The design intentionally dissolves the boundary between indoors and outdoors, allowing the tropical environment to flow through the structure.
The integration of topography into the design enables a three-dimensional spatial narrative that encourages discovery, pause, and immersion.
Conclusion: Sculptural Living in Harmony with Nature
With River House, Alexis Dornier continues his exploration of sculptural architecture and tropical modernism. This residence is not only a home but an architectural journey—merging nature, light, and material into a cohesive and meditative experience.
