Potato Head Studios mashes up public cultural space with private guest areas

OMA has taken the wraps off a beachfront hotel project in Bali that aims to break the Indonesian island’s predilection for “exclusive” resorts which separate guests from locals.

The Potato Head Studios project at Seminyak features an open ground floor for curated cultural events and other activities – as well as open access to the beach, with guest facilities in a structure above that is supported on pilotis.

OMA said the hotel scheme, a couple of kilometres north of the tourist magnet of Kuta, boasted second-floor roof gardens that evoked the raised courtyards of traditional Indonesian homes, while the open areas would be a “flexible stage” for a range of programmes.

Managing partner David Gianotten said the upper levels of the structure would be a “floating ring” featuring private guest rooms and other hotel functions, including exhibition space, a sunset bar and a sculpture park.

OMA's Potato Head Studio hotel complex in Bali

Source: Kevin Mak for OMA

OMA’s Potato Head Studio hotel complex in Bali

“The essence of Bali lies in interaction between different cultures,” he said.

“Our design for the Potato Head Studios offers both private guestrooms and facilities, and public spaces to encourage exchange between different kinds of users. It challenges the typical Balinese resort typology that highlights exclusivity.”

Inside OMA's Potato Head Studio hotel complex in Bali

Source: Kevin Mak for OMA

Inside OMA’s Potato Head Studio hotel complex in Bali