AT HOME WITH
Singaporean architect Ian Chee opens up his Bali holiday home and shares how he entertains his guests in the tropical climate. By Eve Tedja.
Nestled amid swaying coconut trees and the ethereal blacksanded Saba Beach, Rumah Sandiwara is part of casabama, a gated community of five freehold houses on Bali’s eastside. The waves crash on the beach in the distance as guests enter from the pool deck, which connects to a capacious open-air living room. Like the rest of the house, it is furnished with customised furniture pieces. Crafted from teak and local suar wood, they were designed by homeowner Ian Chee and handmade by his favourite craftsman from Sayan, Ubud.
An architect with VX Design & Architecture, Chee’s studio has created numerous residential and commercial projects in London, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Hence, it was only natural for him to conceptualise the design of his stylish abode. Showcasing Bali’s indigenous character was a key focus. “I didn’t want to create a building that could just be anywhere, and which was devoid of local culture and craftsmanship,” says Chee.
Bali’s natural light filters through every part of his house, bringing a sense of outdoors into the home. His favourite thing to do in the house is to sit at his desk and listen to music, although he also enjoys company. “I love having friends over. Therefore, the house was designed as a space to gather, breathe,
relax, and linger,” he explains. The solid concrete house is softened by the use of a bamboo ceiling mat and curvaceous wooden and rattan furnishings. Deriving his inspiration from a traditional Balinese village cluster, the house was built with local materials and elaborate landscaping that blend with the existing habitat.
Holiday home
The 4,800 sq ft house has a master bedroom, study room and massage room. Upstairs, there are three guest bedrooms, a lounge and sundeck offering panoramic views of Bali’s majestic natural landscape. It is light and airy inside the house, even when the sun shines at its brightest – partly thanks to the deep overhangs that provide shade. An adjoining dining room is located next to the kitchen, separated by a wall decorated with hanging white seashells. Cheerful turquoise cement tiles are used as a backsplash; on the other side, an airbrick wall allows light and breeze to flow through the kitchen.
Through his travels in Indonesia, Chee has amassed numerous artworks, be it a batik textile from a Yogyakartabased artist, a Batak wooden sculpture, or an old indigo-dyed batik tulis with shadow puppets as the motif. “I like to create a juxtaposition of things from different origins and I use my house as a laboratory for testing my design ideas,” says Chee, before disappearing into the kitchen to continue with his food preparation.
Light and hearty
As an ingredients-driven home chef, Chee’s menu plan is usually created based on the availability of produce and the season. “I cook what I love to eat and it could be anything from anywhere. Lately, I’ve been exploring Southeast Asian flavour-inspired salads and trying to make them more substantial, rather than presenting them just as starters or side dishes,” says Chee as he slices open a large pomelo. One by one, his guests arrive, welcomed by his sprightly nine-year-old black Balinese dog, Bama, which is obviously familiar with some of the guests.
To Chee, a successful meal should consist of the right mix of guests, and it looks like he has got the formula down pat. His long-time friends include Sara Hillier, a stylist; Dennis Parker, a retired health care expert; Venty Vergianty, a sculptor and fellow architect and colleague; Kika, a party organiser who recently relocated to Bali; and Rio Sinurat, an entrepreneur. As we settled on the gorgeous dining table and happily help ourselves to the salads, satay, and tahu telur, the guests begin to exchange stories on their recent food jaunts while coaxing Chee for the recipes to today’s meal. The freshness and lightness of the dishes are a match made in tropical heaven with the current hot weather, while the music, the laughter and the banter certainly add to the convivial atmosphere.