The competition was part of the Seaside Collective to design fifteen co-living spaces and the surrounding landscape within a plot on the island of Lombok. The design proposal had to incorporate local materials, sustainable strategies and links back to the community.

The concept of the Guyub, was embedded on the philosophy of connectivity. ‘Guyub’ in Bahasa has a special meaning, often simplified as ‘friendliness’ but it actually is derived from a deeper connection in ancient Javanese philosophy of living socially. It is a way of life, whereby you are connected with everyone in the community and a willingness to share a brotherly / sisterly bond with one another.

Another importance was taking precedent on the traditional buildings of Indonesia - most notably the ‘Omo Sebu’ with its elegant roof design and pitch and so the proposal was looking at how to marry the old with the new. The design took on this expression but with a modern twist, expressed the internal diagrid structure. The internal layout is designed so that all the doors are sliding, they can be opened up to give a complete open plan space or closed for privacy. The same can be said for the terrace space, blurring the inside / outside to keep that connection with landscape continuous.

Sustainable strategies of the project were critical as much as the design which included solar panels, natural reed filtered swimming pool, grey water tank, rain water collection and passive cooling. What was also considered is the materials that could be used, collaborating with local suppliers in Indonesia the correct sustainably certified local timber was selected with an option to use bamboo and recycled plastic rattan for the external wings.

​

​

​

​