2026 ASIA'S BEST CONCEPTUAL ARCHITECTURE DESIGN - PATH OF NATURE, PAYANGAN VILLA
Project Name: Path of Nature, Payangan Villa
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Company: Upper Room Collaborative Studio
Designer: Darren Pirono and Jefferson Frans Tan
Owner: Private Owner
Path of Nature, Payangan Villa is a conceptual hospitality retreat set within the lush valleys of Ubud, Bali, where architecture is shaped by the natural flow of rivers, terrain, and vegetation. The project explores a design approach that minimizes disruption by integrating built form seamlessly into the landscape.
The villa is composed of two intersecting curved volumes organized around a central point, symbolizing the convergence of nature and human habitation. One volume accommodates open-plan living spaces and private bedrooms positioned to capture contrasting views of water and greenery, while the other is dedicated to outdoor experiences, including landscaped gardens and a swimming pool that extends visually into the surrounding valley.
Curved pathways, circular planning, and carefully preserved vegetation ensure that existing trees and native ecosystems remain intact. Skylights and open spatial transitions enhance natural light, ventilation, and the presence of greenery within interior spaces.
By merging architecture, landscape, and movement into a unified spatial system, the project proposes a tranquil, immersive living experience that reflects the ecological and cultural richness of Bali.
