Within a two-building commercial complex organized around a central courtyard, an unexpected layout unfolds. The shops are small and quaint, uniformly sized, and directly face one another like apartment units. This is Atúa. Related Reading: Creative Placemaking: Designing Public Spaces that Reflect Shared Memory What used to be a functioning hotel in the early 1990s, […]
Balai Ba’i: A Tropical Modernist Resort in Laguna
Designed by TAYO Architecture & Design, Balai Ba’i is a 900-square-meter resort located in Los Baños, Laguna. The owners wanted to evoke the same calm and craftsmanship found in Bali, Indonesia, while celebrating the natural beauty of the Philippines. As advocates of a distinct tropical-modernist approach, TAYO designed a resort that responds to its local context, environment, and culture.
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How Did Nature Shape the Design of Balai Ba’i?
The spatial layout of the resort is in dialogue with its natural environment. Oriented inward, the layout allows natural light and ventilation to permeate the interior. A sense of intimacy and privacy between the two villas is created through the pivoting façade screens. These screens also bring in additional daylight while casting dynamic patterns across the interiors.
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Nature shapes the entire spatial experience, including the materiality of the resort. Raw materials such as natural wood, adobe, and Sukabumi stone are highlighted throughout by the architecture. Each material was intentionally chosen to develop a patina over time. This allows the space to feel even more organic and immersive as it ages.
Thoughtfully placed greenery defines the space, including the focal kalachuchi tree that adds richness and calm to the entire resort. Crafting a seamless boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces also encourages guests to interact with the natural surroundings.
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How Was Balai Ba’i Designed for Gatherings and Community?
With an inward-facing planning approach, Balai Ba’i consists of two duplex-style houses that come together around two pool courtyards. These courtyards serve as the resort’s focal points. They can function independently or combine into one expansive shared area. Designed for connection and comfort, the resort can accommodate up to twenty guests.
The resort also includes four spacious bedrooms and three lounge areas, with each room featuring its own ensuite bathroom. More than just a villa, it facilitates gatherings, celebrations, and meaningful escapes through thoughtfully designed spaces.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Balai Ba’i is located in Los Baños, Laguna, a town known for its lush landscapes and proximity to Mount Makiling.
The resort was designed by TAYO Architecture & Design, a Philippine-based architecture and design studio known for its tropical-modernist approach.
Balai Ba’i follows a tropical-modernist design approach that emphasizes natural ventilation, raw materials, greenery, and strong indoor-outdoor connections.
The resort features materials such as natural wood, adobe, and Sukabumi stone, chosen for their organic qualities and ability to age gracefully over time.
Balai Ba’i can accommodate up to twenty guests across its duplex-style villas, shared courtyards, lounge spaces, and bedrooms.
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