Revisiting Jose Maria Zaragoza’s 1969 modernist landmark on Ortigas Avenue, where corporate architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary, performing arts, and personal memories come together. The Meralco Building […]
Talaga Sampireun Bali: Designed to Mimic the River’s Flow
The well-known Indonesian restaurant chain, Talaga Sampireun, is synonymous with lakeside dining experiences. “Talaga“, means lake, while “sampireun” stands for community gatherings. Their commitment to this concept is evident across all locations, but their newest branch in Bali designed by K-Thengono Design Studio takes it a step further.
Instead of the standard formula featuring individual saung (Sundanese for huts) scattered around a lake and a separate main dining hall, the design team aimed for a more integrated experience. “Here, the design forms a narrative, tracing the story of a rural Indonesian village nestled beside a body of water,” the architects said about their design.
Curves of the River
Taking its design cues from a meandering river, the architects reimagine its flow as a continuous, curved spine that winds above the lake. This serves as the central axis, with spacious dining areas arranged along its curves. Open-air saung nestled along the path mimic the shape of leaves, echoing traditional riverside settlements.
Unlike other Talaga Sampireun branches, where the main dining areas are positioned away from the water’s edge, this new design offers direct access. Families with young children can enjoy feeding the fish in the lake, and all guests can experience the tranquility of the aquatic landscape. Walls are absent, creating a refreshingly open space and maximizing natural ventilation.
Creating a Comfortable Dining Experience
The arrival sequence itself sets the stage for the immersive experience that awaits inside. As you enter, a soaring rooftop greets you with its impressive height, which gradually decreases as you walk along the pathway towards the dining areas. This choice creates a sense of intimacy, bringing you down to a more human scale – a welcoming contrast to the vastness of the surrounding water landscape. Well-placed skylights throughout the restaurant allow natural light to flood in, adding another layer of visual interest.
The design aims to engage all five senses; from the sounds of the surrounding lake and forest, to the flavors and aromas of Talaga Sampireun renowned cuisine. Locally sourced materials like teak, brass, and red brick harmoniously play off the sleek lines of the modern steel structures. Decorative elements crafted from rattanRattanA flexible, climbing palm native to tropical Asia, whose strong, lightweight canes are woven and bent into furniture, baskets, and lighting. The Philippines, especially Cebu, is renowned for rattan craftsmanship,Go to Rattan Glossary by local artisans adorn the ceilings, celebrating the region’s rich craft heritage.
Talaga Sampireun in Bali fuses nature, tradition, and contemporary design, all while staying true to the brand’s identity. This gathering place invites guests to experience a uniquely Indonesian atmosphere by stimulating all your senses. Savor dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, listen to the gentle sounds of nature, and admire the hand-crafted details adorning the entire space. It’s a feast for the body, mind, and soul
Read more: Lake 192 House in Korea: Fulfilling Mental Health through Urban Design
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Culture is not just a motif incorporated into architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary and interior design. It is shaped by people, places, and shared experiences. On the […]
The idea of home extends beyond the walls of the house. It also considers the spaces and environments people share—the larger setting that supports everyday life. At Yume at Riverpark, these considerations begin with individual homes and lots, extend to the shared landscape of an 18-hectare residential development in General Trias, Cavite, and ultimately connect […]
PSID presents “What the Pop!,” an exhibition opened on the third floor of V-Mall in Greenhills, San Juan City, that examined how popular culture shaped Filipino homes and lifestyles. Through spaces representing four generations—Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z—the exhibit explored how each era’s experiences inform its approach to interior designInterior DesignThe discipline […]
Design Week Philippines 2026 marked its 15th year with “Sama All,” a theme that invited designers, industry leaders, and communities to come together in shaping the future of Filipino design. Organized by the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), the festival opened with festivities on October 10, followed by the design fair and exhibitions from […]
Read the issues.
Collect the volumes.
Recommended Video
Tap to Unmute
Unmute
0:00
0:00