Copper and bamboo set the ambiance and soothing form of the Lumi Shala, the gathering, yoga and meditation centre of Alchemy Yoga Centre in Bali.
Designed by architecture firm Ibuku, the centre’s remarkable design features an intricate bamboo canopy protected by five overlapping roof petals made from natural materials, combined with artisanal and innovative systems intended to promote wellness.
“Encircled by earth-rendered walls that offer a buttress for yoga practices, it has a comforting sense of enclosure. Bamboo arches soar overhead landing on mounded foundations, a balance that reflects the human form, simultaneously grounding and extending,” says Elora Hardy, Founder and Creative Director of Ibuku.
Completed in March 2023, the roof petals that span 21 metres each were arranged in a way that allows natural light to wash through the interior, “bringing the focus inward while illuminating a space that best helps us embody the yoga practice.”
The complex arches were built using close to 28,000 metres of bamboo rods, while the roof is composed of more than 4,000 hand-cut copper shingles.
Project Architect Rita Santosa told Build “The roof shape of the Shala took inspiration from the movement of the body in yoga, the arcs reflect the reach of our limbs. The majestic scale can help us focus on our inner selves. The natural light is designed to reflect on the ceiling with a picturesque glow.”
Photography: Lumi Shala
