Bali: Sustainable Visions - Tapa dura

"Bali: Sustainable Visions ... explores how architects, entrepreneurs, and artists are constructing stylish homes, resorts, and schools that are sustainability minded."-- ArchitecturalDigest.com

Discover how visionary architects and designers are pioneering a new, environmentally sustainable style of tropical living. Justly famous for its artistic expressions, Balinese culture is also uniquely adapted to the natural conditions of this small volcanic island just a few degrees south of the equator. The subak system, maintained cooperatively for more than a millennium, channels fresh water from high in the mountains to the terraced rice fields below. And the vernacular architecture, made from renewable materials like wood and bamboo, is designed to accommodate the indoor-outdoor tropical lifestyle--and to withstand the extremes of tropical weather. Today, even as Bali's ecosystem is challenged by a continued influx of foreign tourists, a handful of inspired creators are rediscovering the island's long tradition of environmental sustainability. This gorgeous and eye-opening volume introduces us to their most innovative projects on Bali and other islands, including luxurious private homes built from traditional and reclaimed materials; the Suarga Resort, which boasts the world's largest bamboo-shingled roof; and the Green School, an international primary and secondary school where students learn to be stewards of the earth. Illustrated throughout with stunning new color photographs and animated by a deep ecological consciousness, Bali: Sustainable Visions is an essential book for everyone who cares about the future of architecture, design, and the natural environment.