Indonesia Design - Defining Luxury
A Palatial House
A sumptuous residence by Piter Gan Architect
One can catch glimpses of the luxurious house in between the stretch of palm trees lining the pedestrian walkway. The house has an intricate gate that matches its majestic façade, which is painted in grey with detailed profiles of floral patterns on its columns and walls.
Entering the foyer, eyes are pampered with artworks and lush house plants. The marble floor bears a symmetrical carpetlike pattern, while the ceiling is hand-painted with pictures of angels. PGA has thoughtfully designed spots throughout the house specifically designated for artworks and paintings.
The foyer connects to a grand, double-height living room where the family greet their guests, and a stylish L-shaped pantry with an island to prepare refreshments. A dazzling chandelier hangs above the centre of the room and its pristinely white high-back sofas. Red curtains frame the high windows and glass doors that lead to the backyard, matching the red floral carpet and the red-toned painting on the wall, which is mounted inside a gold frame — another spot specifically designed for art.
The backyard consists of a pond that lines the perimeter of a well manicured central courtyard, reminiscent of a Moroccan riad or a traditional palace. The area is big enough to host large events for special occasions. In fact, the owner’s recent birthday bash was held here.
In this modern era, some people still favour classic design. Classic style’s intricate details, though hard to design and create, exude a luxurious feel fit for a palatial residence. Leave it to Piter Gan Architect (PGA) to perfect a contemporary classic palace-like concept in this house in Bali.
Walk on the floating pathway to cross the pond to reach a pavilion, a space dedicated for entertainment. Whether it’s time for the adults to host parties, for the kids to play games, or for the family to have quality time, these rooms are meant for gatherings. Highlights of this secondary edifice include a bedroom for guests, a sauna room, a bar and a plunge pool.
At night, dots of small LED lights on the pathway will reflect the starry night above. There are lounge settings at the back of the main house and at the front of the pavilion where we can enjoy this scenery.
On the other side of the pond is the dining room, which echoes the house’s classic contemporary style and the living room’s look. This area sits 10 and is decorated in white, with accents of red on the carpet.
The marvellous marble stairs, located nearby the living room, leads to another living room on the second floor. It has a warmer ambiance compared to the living room at the ground floor, thanks
to the earthy toned colour scheme. Here sits the owners’ living quarter, five bedrooms designed according to the personality of the family members.
The two daughters and two twin boys have the liberty to express their preferences in their own bedrooms, so none of their rooms look the same. One daughter has a pinkish bedroom, and the other goes with a subdued grey. Aside from the colour scheme, the bedrooms have different designs and artwork selection too.
The master bedroom does not disappoint. It’s spacious, with a monochromatic brown colour scheme and a largely modern design — from the floor to the furniture — paired with a classic crystal chandelier. The bed is located at the far end from the door to give a close access to the window. A curvy day bed and a lounge set make a small living room for the couple to unwind together.
“As this is a living space, we prioritised function over form during the design process. It’s different from devising a plan for a museum or a hotel, where people are only there momentarily,” says Piter Gan. “We owed part of the success of this project to the owner’s involvement and how hands-on he was from giving us inputs, proactively questioning decisions, and supervising the design and construction. These were crucial.”