alexis dornier embeds circular residence in bali’s forested slopes
Villa Omah Prana by Alexis Dornier unfolds as a circular retreat that feels absorbed into the landscape of Payangan’s forested slopes, just north of Ubud, Bali. The 475-square-meter residence adopts a compound-like arrangement organized around a lush internal courtyard. Its low, continuous timber roofline and radial plan echo local vernacular geometries.
The project sits like a ring placed over the terrain, with the broad, funnel-like roof forming a shaded perimeter walkway and an introverted core. The shingle texture and earthy tonality of the roof make the building blend with its tropical context, while the inner void admits daylight and natural ventilation.
all images by KIE
curving interiors and crescent pool shape Villa Omah Prana
For the interior of Villa Omah Prana, Alexis Dornier picks herringbone brickwork and deep-toned timber ceilings sitting atop curving circulation routes that mirror the form of the building. Sliding openings allow entrance to the garden, while the central planted disk becomes a meditative anchor, echoing Bali’s traditional compounds, reinterpreted through the German architect’s design. Moments of transparency toward the valley merge the sheltered interior with the expansive forest canopy.
Along the outer arc, a crescent-shaped infinity pool slips between the edge of the villa and the descending landscape, framing the view while preserving the circular geometry. The roof, courtyard, and pool generate a sense of retreat, a house that bends with the land and gathers its volumes under one unifying roof.
the circular residence sits low against the forested hillside
the shingled roof forms a continuous ring
timber ceilings curve with the building’s form
the planted courtyard forms a green void at the center of the plan
