BaleBio by Cave Urban

The BaleBio Pavilion at Mertasari Beach in Sanur, Bali, reimagines the iconic Bale Banjar—the open-sided community halls that anchor every Balinese village. Traditionally used for ceremonies, music, and public gatherings, the Bale Banjar is a symbol of social cohesion and cultural continuity. Cave Urban translated this familiar form into a lightweight, elevated pavilion, blending bamboo and recycled materials with regenerative design principles. The pavilion retains the openness and communal spirit of its traditional precedent while demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainable architecture.

Design and Architectural Concept

Part of Bauhaus Earth’s ReBuilt Project, BaleBio embodies the investigation into “transformation pathways towards a regenerative built environment,” a global initiative spanning Berlin, Bhutan, South Africa, and Bali. The pavilion merges local craftsmanship with urban construction techniques, exploring bio-based materials and low-impact building strategies. Its form consists of three curved laminated-bamboo vaults spanning four meters each, rising 8.5 meters above a podium constructed from recycled temple stone. The arched roof also draws inspiration from the Lumbung (rice-barn) and Balinese coastal boat-building traditions, creating a fluid structure that bridges inland and maritime vernaculars.

Material Language and Sustainability

The pavilion’s material palette is entirely sourced and remade within Indonesia, forming a circular, regenerative system:

• Laminated Bamboo: Dendrocalamus asper from Flores, processed locally in Bali.

• Paras Stone: Off-cuts from temple-carving workshops, reused in gabion walls forming the podium.

• Plupuh Panels: Hand-split bamboo panels for roofing, reflecting long-standing Balinese craft traditions.

• Reclaimed Ironwood (Ulin): Hardwood recovered from disused structures, used for podium edges.

• Clay Roof Tiles and Lime Plaster: Recycled finishes providing thermal regulation and grounding the interior.

• Recycled Plastic Sheets: Pressed into durable signage and informational panels.

This combination of materials fuses vernacular techniques with engineered precision, creating a pavilion that is structurally resilient, environmentally responsible, and deeply rooted in local culture.

Collaborative Making

The BaleBio Pavilion was realized through collaboration among Cave Urban, Bauhaus Earth, Bamboo Village Trust, Atelier One, Eco Mantra, Kota Kita, Indobamboo, University of Warmadewa students, and local craftspeople. Prefabricated components were delivered and assembled on site, demonstrating rapid, low-impact construction methods reminiscent of mass timber systems. Prior to construction, local architects were consulted to ensure alignment with three guiding principles: use natural materials, minimize environmental impact, and serve the community. The site was consecrated through Meruak rituals at both ground-breaking and completion, highlighting the pavilion’s cultural significance.

Functionality and Community Engagement

Beyond its architectural innovation, BaleBio functions as a living pavilion for community engagement. Its open layout supports workshops, multi-stakeholder dialogues, and cultural gatherings, creating a space that fosters social connection and collective learning. The elevated design preserves the openness of the traditional Bale Banjar, while the prefabricated bolted system ensures long-term stability in tropical conditions. Visitors experience a harmonious interplay of light, shadow, and spatial transparency, enhancing interaction with the surrounding environment.

Regenerative Impact

BaleBio serves as both a prototype and catalyst for regenerative architecture in Indonesia. A Life Cycle Assessment conducted by Eco Mantra found the pavilion reduces its Stage A carbon footprint by 110% compared to conventional construction practices, avoiding over 53 tonnes of CO₂ emissions—the equivalent of planting more than 2,400 trees. Its bio-based, traceable materials actively absorb carbon, while the pavilion’s design for disassembly ensures reuse at the end of its lifecycle, extending its circular logic. By combining cultural heritage, community engagement, and carbon-negative construction, BaleBio exemplifies how architecture can support both social and environmental regeneration.

Photography: Bas Princen