IBUKU is a team of young designers, architects and engineers exploring groundbreaking ways of using bamboo to build homes, hotels, schools, and event spaces in Bali, Indonesia.

IBUKU’s goal is to provide spaces in which people can live in an authentic relationship with nature.

We are creating a new design vocabulary based on this one material and exploring the way sustainable architecture and design can redefine luxury. The materials we use, the people we work with, and the land we build on all inform our design process. The traditional skills of Balinese craftsmen, combined with our design ideas and modern engineering enable us to create original bamboo structures that meet the needs of a diverse clientele.

One of IBUKU Artwork.

We are creating a new design vocabulary based on this one material and exploring the way sustainable architecture and design can redefine luxury. The materials we use, the people we work with, and the land we build on all inform our design process. The traditional skills of Balinese craftsmen, combined with our design ideas and modern engineering enable us to create original bamboo structures that meet the needs of a diverse clientele.

IBUKU’s goal is to provide spaces in which people can live in an authentic relationship with nature.

We give our projects detailed care and attention from start to finish, including bespoke interior furnishings. Ibuku has built over 60 bamboo structures in Bali, Indonesia, and around the region.

The interior and structure of Riverbend at Bambu Indah that built by IBUKU.

Completed key projects include the Green School, Green Village, Sharma Springs, and Bambu Indah Hotel, which have appeared in international publications like Architectural Digest, Vogue and the Huffington Post. Upcoming projects are underway in West Africa, Lombok, and Bali.

IBUKU

Design Studio

We are 25 design professionals and have designed numerous mixed-media and international projects, exploring an ever-expanding palette of natural and sustainable materials.
We work collaboratively in creative and technical fields:
  • Architecture
  • Master Planning
  • Interior Design
  • Furniture and Product Design
  • Model Making
  • Bamboo Structure & Materials
  • Research
  • Concept Design
  • Exhibition Design
Elora Hardy portrait photo.

Elora Hardy

founder & director

Elora is the Founder and Director of IBUKU. Raised in Bali, Elora was inspired by the highly skilled local craftsmen as well as her parents’ talented jewelry designs. She spent 14 years of her young adult life in the United States, where she received a degree in fine arts and went on to New York City to design prints for Donna Karan that would walk the world’s runways.

In 2010, Elora left her successful career in the fashion world to carry on the incredible work of the design-build team that created the world-renowned Green School in Bali, founded by her father John Hardy. She reconnected with the culture and landscape that she loves and today continues to cultivate Balinese artisans alongside innovative designers and architects with the goal of making Bali a global center for sustainable design and bringing those designs to the rest of the world.

In 2010, Elora left her successful career in the fashion world to carry on the incredible work of the design-build team that created the world-renowned Green School in Bali, founded by her father John Hardy. She reconnected with the culture and landscape that she loves and today continues to cultivate Balinese artisans alongside innovative designers and architects with the goal of making Bali a global center for sustainable design and bringing those designs to the rest of the world.

Elora is the Founder and Director of IBUKU. Raised in Bali, Elora was inspired by the highly skilled local craftsmen as well as her parents’ talented jewelry designs. She spent 14 years of her young adult life in the United States, where she received a degree in fine arts and went on to New York City to design prints for Donna Karan that would walk the world’s runways.

Defit Wijaya

head of architecture

Senior Architect at IBUKU and a member of the team since 2008, Defit appreciates the exciting and dynamic environment of working at IBUKU and being able to fully explore and develop his personal green and sustainable design approach.

Indriana Sukma Hayuningtyas

interior design & furniture

Tyas is our Interior Design & Furniture Team Leader since 2013 and is proud to be bringing Indonesia’s name to the world with our unique bamboo building and furniture. She has a special respect and appreciation for the IBUKU craftsmen, especially when they create an entire piece of furniture just from a rough sketch!

Will Mansell

operations manager

With more than 30 years of history in Bali and Southeast Asia, Will has most recently headed a resort in remote Komodo island. Building and operating a hotel constructed mostly from bamboo inspired a love for the material and its possibilities. Joining IBUKU in late 2020 as Operations Manager, Will has overseen the workflow within the design studio, assisting in the coordination of projects and in broader operations.

Clientele

Four Seasons Resorts logo.
Green Village logo.
Green School Bali logo.
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve logo.
Fairmont Maldives logo.
Area 15 logo.
Como Hotels and Resorts logo.
Bambu Indah logo.
Mari Beach Club logo.
John Hardy logo.
Astound logo.
SCSY logo.

Design
Process

Work

Design preparation and Materials study, phase 0 of IBUKU Process Work.

Design Preparation & Materials Study

PHASE 0
DESIGN PREPARATION & MATERIALS STUDY

The initial stage of a project commences with close coordination between IBUKU, the Local Architect, and Project Manager whereby a detailed exchange of information is completed to understand items such as material availability, level of workmanship, local building techniques, local building codes, and many other items to be considered. This allows the project parameters to be set and clearly defined in order to be able to undertake IBUKU's scope of work and be able to hand this over to the Local Architect at completion.

The sketch of Master Plan and Concept design, phase 1 of IBUKU Process Work.

Master Planning and Concept Design

PHASE 1

CONCEPT / MASTERPLAN DESIGN

The overall scope and conceptual design of the project is determined and defined in detail including site analysis, form, scale and building component relationships. A range of design concepts and responses are explored to define the character of the project and an optimum realization of the project. Ideally, an initial site visit involving members of the IBUKU design team would gain further understanding of the project and site during this phase. Site surveys and soil tests provided by the client assists our team understand how to bring the best out of your location.

maskeliya

Schematic Design

PHASE 2
SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Schematic Design is the stage in which each of the buildings are further developed taking into consideration of the Design Brief, design possibilities, construction and logistics areas within the project. In order to commence Phase 2, IBUKU requires final approval of Stage 1 Concept/Masterplan Design.

The Schematic Design package includes hardline floorplans and elevation drawings that brings some refinement to the Concept Design package.

Design Development

PHASE 3
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

IBUKU proceeds by further developing the Schematic Design and will evolve the design by going into the details with emphasis placed on the technical, cost, and construction aspects. For this stage, we will also start to look at the logistical and implementation aspects of the project.

An example of Tender Documentation, phase 4 of IBUKU Process Work.

Tender Documentation

PHASE 4
TENDER DOCUMENTATION

IBUKU then proceeds into the details stage for Tender Documentation. For this stage, we will be firming up on the technical and logistics/implementation aspects of the project leading to the tender commencement of the project. The deliverables for this stage are a Tender Documentation Package that can be used for the tender process.

For projects based overseas, IBUKU must be guided by the client-appointed Local Architect in order to ensure that the design suits local building laws and regulations.

Service during construction, phase 5 of IBUKU Process Work.

Services During Construction

PHASE 5
SERVICES DURING CONSTRUCTION

Where possible, IBUKU endeavors to steer design intent through the construction phase, with members of our design studio specifically guiding the installation of bamboo elements. Periodic site visits (at the client's expense) allow this intent to be maintained through to final finishing.

Under the current restrictive travel climate, to deliver this phase on projects outside of Indonesia requires logistics that can often be insurmountable. As such, Service During Construction will be quoted but not invoiced until the arrangements can be assured.

MATERIALITY

Natural & Innovative

Though bamboo has traditionally been used throughout Asia in short-term structures, new treatment methods have given it a capacity for longer life. Our engineers, architects and designers have created a completely new vocabulary. Not only is bamboo good for the environment, it also helps the people living in that space connect to nature which then enhances quality of life.

Why we use bamboo as the primary material

IBUKU uses bamboo because of its strength, beauty, and flexibility, and also because with its 4-year growth cycle and carbon sequestration capacity it is the most environmentally conscientious building material conceivable. In a world of retro-fitting or re-designing traditional items and materials to be slightly less ‘bad’, we decided to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

Why we use bamboo as the primary material

IBUKU uses bamboo because of its strength, beauty, and flexibility, and also because with its 4-year growth cycle and carbon sequestration capacity it is the most environmentally conscientious building material conceivable. In a world of retro-fitting or re-designing traditional items and materials to be slightly less ‘bad’, we decided to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

Though bamboo has traditionally been used throughout Asia in short-term structures, new treatment methods have given it a capacity for longer life. Our engineers, architects and designers have created a completely new vocabulary. Not only is bamboo good for the environment, it also helps the people living in that space connect to nature which then enhances quality of life.

Black bamboo picture
“So why bamboo? Bamboo is the future. It is the most beautiful, versatile, tallest and strongest material that we could possibly choose. The rainforest is almost gone, plywood is mostly made from the rainforest and cement has a carbon load that is not going to help the future. That leaves bamboo and if children plant bamboo today in eight years they will have timber ready to go and they will get timber every year for the rest of their life to build anything they need.”
John Hardy, Green School co-founder

STRENGTH

Bamboo is natures version of carbon fiber with tension and compression capacity approximating that of steel.

RENEWABILITY

With very little attention, a bamboo shoot can become a structural column within three years, and that building could stand strong for a lifetime.

SUSTAINABILITY

With its three-year growth cycle and carbon sequestration it is a uniquely efficient and responsible resource. Even sustainable timber can’t begin to compare with bamboo as a conscientious building material.

LONG LIFE

Though bamboo has traditionally been used throughout Asia, new treatment methods have given it a longer lifespan. IBUKU’s bamboo, selectively harvested from local sources, is treated ecologically, then lab tested to confirm its durability and integrity.

Collaborators

White Atelier One Structural Engineers logo.
White Bamboo U logo.
CHIC Home Bali logo.
Earth Lines logo.
White Eco Mantra logo.
INBARWhite INBAR - International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation logo.
White Jorg Stamm Bamboo Construction logo.
Kengo Kuma & Associates logo.
White Lucila Aguilar Arquitectos logo.
Moso Bamboo logo.
Bamboo Pure logo.
Studio Nimmersatt logo.
Studio Jencquel logo.
Design by Weld logo.
Arquitectura Mixta logo.