Why this new Bali beach house is a design lover's utopia
by Melissa Hoyer
It's Seminyak's only beachfront villa and has been designed with sustainability in mind. Words by Melissa Hoyer, photos by Marko Randelovic.
A breathtaking private sanctuary in Bali by the name of NoKu Beach House is now open. The name NoKu is a cheeky take on Soho and comes from 'North of Kuta' in Seminyak, offering privacy and sweeping Indian Ocean views, as the only beach front villa in Seminyak.
Here, you'll find wellness activities – think massages, spa treatments and beach yoga – great locally sourced food offerings, enticing tropical drinks and beautifully curated accommodation.
It has taken two years to realise this dream space – but this is just the first in a series of bespoke NoKu-house projects to be design-directed by global award-winning interior design director Alex Zabotto-Bentley and his interior design and interior architecture team at AZBcreative.
NoKu Beach House is a six-bedroom statement of avant-garde zen design, with a cool and calm aesthetic. The result is a super-premium escape pad, designed without compromise. Asweeping resort space with six double bedrooms, two pools, extended gigantic living and dining areas, all showcasing a dedication to small-run makers, local craftsmen and the culture of regional villages.
"I was privileged to work with a client who trusted me to take their wishes and inspirations and turn them into something unique," says Alex.
In turn, the owner has described Alex's work as creating it's own design language; "Any one in any medium that does something that is truly their own, transcends the box … Alex Zabotto-Bentley has done just that."
Up-cycling and renewable resources were key in creating NoKu Beach House, and Alex's personal philosophy of follows the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, where ancient broken pottery is repaired with gold, creating a more beautiful object.
A case in point: the team sourced a 150 year old ironwood pier from Borneo, worn by the sea, which was going to be demolished, and converted into an incredible two level balé, with private siting areas and a custom-built bar.
Alex and his team also has a commitment to low-impact development, sustainable design practices and community empowerment through transparent supply chains, where growers, makers, producers and artisans are all supported within the project.
Alex says, "This is the future of development and design in Bali – the only way that it can be something which improves and strengthens the local community and culture."
With state-of-the art kitchens, two large swimming pools (one infinity, one plunge), event spaces for up to 300 people, 5 different dining areas and 25 staff including chef, concierge and driver, the NoKu Beach House is a very special destination villa. The aim was to create a luxurious experience with the relaxed atmosphere of this natural paradise.
Inside, the team blended modernism with a touch of brutalism and luxe nomad collectibles, from the pedestals crafted from 20 million year old petrified wood blocks to the Papua New Guinea drums re-purposed as side tables. The seamless blend of antique artifacts, rough-hewn textures and modern innovations evokes the rich cultural heritage of the region while remaining serene and timeless.
The designers re-purposed antique village drums into coffee tables, created hand woven silk fabric from villages in Kintamani, and hand carved teak panels into textured bed heads.
Natural light infuses the space, as unnecessary walls were removed, replaced with natural screens of hanging greenery and locally made eight metre long teak screens carved in geometric shapes, to add texture and dappled light. Throughout the house and gardens, there are around 30,000 plants, creating a unique green hideaway. Even by night, the lighting features set a relaxed mood.
The team installed new collection AZBcustom lighting designs from the 1960's brutalist Italian-inspired solid bronze fittings in the living and dining rooms, through to every single bedside lamp and outdoor lighting.
And, from the custom NoKu surfboards, tennis rackets and soccer balls to the plates and even the in-house radio station with curated playlists, there are many fun reminders of place scattered througout the beach house.
Stroll though the almost Jurassic gardens with a waterfall and towering palms and jungle blooms, or gaze out to sea from your room with organic dishes and endless chilled drinks – something even non-design-oriented guests will certainly appreciate too.
Melissa was a guest of NoKu Beach House.