A childhood connection to Bali shaped this tropical home near Ubud

Architect Livina Cali's childhood memories of Bali fueled the design of Rumah Subak, a tropical home near Ubud. Cali, who grew up in Surabaya, Java, and lived in Singapore for 17 years, frequently visited Bali as a child. Her father's work trips to the island brought back stories, souvenirs, and snacks, fostering a deep connection.

A photograph of her family amidst lush greenery at the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace, a place she later built her home, highlights this enduring link. Tampaksiring, known for the sacred Tirta Empul springs, provides a serene backdrop for the residence. The home's entrance, across a water garden, creates a gentle transition into its open living areas.

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Growing up, Bali always felt familiar. My father travelled there frequently for work and would return with stories, souvenirs and local snacks. As a family, we also made several road trips to Bali.

Drawing on her experience at architectural firms, Cali cultivated a sensitivity to tropical design. At Rumah Subak, indoor and outdoor spaces merge, framing the landscape and allowing natural light to play across the home's materials. This integration creates a sense of openness to the tropical environment while maintaining privacy and shelter.

The house is named Rumah Subak, meaning "house" in Bahasa Indonesia, after the traditional irrigation system vital to the surrounding rice fields. This system, dating back to the ninth century, is tied to the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, emphasizing harmony among the spiritual, human, and natural realms. The home's design, bordered by rice fields and a forested ravine, directly reflects this ethos and its scenic surroundings.

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The property sits within a working subak landscape and, according to Livina, opposite a plaque marking the area’s connection to Bali’s UNESCO-listed cultural landscape.