By Alyssa Apuzzio

Located on Bali’s southernmost tip, the Jean-Michel Gathy-designed Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bali will embody 91 standalone villas conceptualized by acclaimed international architect Gathy, who took inspiration from a traditional Balinese farming technique in imagining the layout.

“This is not London or Singapore or anywhere else,” said Gathy, a Belgian who has spent 35 years in Asia. “It’s Bali. We took that into account every step of the way. But we didn’t go overboard.”

A variety of exotic grasses, shrubs and palm trees can be found encompassing the villas and covering the flat roofs of each villa. This design delivers and creates a seamless connection with the environment, which also rests on a naturally
accommodating cliff top.

When finished in mid-2018, the 88-room hotel will include an 88-meter-long swimming pool along the edge of the cliff top, a private beach club, cantilevered gourmet restaurant, fitness center and a 1,725-square-meter spa with eight treatment rooms.

The first residence is expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2019.

Photo courtesy Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

This story originally appeared in Unique Homes Ultimate ’17. Click here to see the digital version.