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 rattan 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

Ito Kish on Balancing Minimalism and Depth This Season

Born and raised in San Pablo City, Laguna, Ito Kish made a name for himself through residential and commercial design, as well as curatorial work. This new season, built on the idea of Filipino Culture Meets Global Curiosity, unfolds both as a composed showroom environment and a new collection shaped by stillness and balance. A […]

On Breakthroughs: Architect Pierre Briones on Establishing His Name in Architecture 

Breaking through in their respective careers is a daunting task for any young professional. For Architect Pierre Briones, architecture has always been an intentional pursuit. Having spent much of his childhood around construction sites, Briones’s environment shaped his interest in architecture, including his fascination with how structures and buildings are built. “Choosing architecture was never […]

Advertisement

Bobby Mañosa’s Iconic ‘Bobi Toys’ Become Sculptures in ‘Tanaw’ 

Not many people know this, but during the Martial Law era, National Artist for Architecture Bobby Mañosa was also a toy designer. He had an iconic line of toys, called “Bobi Toys,” that he sold in Makati during the 1970s and 1980s, which he discontinued as his own kids grew older. His toys have not […]

‘Dialogo’: Two Artists Collaborative and Find Middle Ground in New Exhibit

Cloud Grey Gallery put together two esteemed artists, Manuel Ocampo and Ronald Ventura, for Dialogo. As a gallery located at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Cloud Grey has a more forward-thinking approach to contemporary art movements at the time. “They’re provocations,” the gallery declared as they described their approach, “invitations to see the familiar transformed.” For […]

‘Ivarluski x Bitagcol’ Opens New Pop-Up at Power Plant Mall

Ivarluski x Bitagcol, a pop-up store at Power Plant Mall, showcases the new collaborative fashion line from the two Filipino designers, as they seek to expand their design horizons and update their aesthetic hallmarks for the present day.   The collaboration came about as the two designers, Ivarluski Aseron and Jo Ann Bitagcol, discussed their attraction […]

Advertisement

Komiket and the Evolution of Art Markets over the Decade

As the country’s local arts community grows steadily beyond the confines of galleries and museums, art markets have become a booming market for young artists and old artists alike. A variety of crafts, whether it’s fabric works or paintings or prints or whatnot, have become the new way of showcasing new, personal styles for a […]