As the name implies, Deep Roots Penida (DRNP) is located in Nusa Penida – an island in the southeast of Bali Island and separated by the Badung Strait. DRNP is a dive resort, which includes a dive center, restaurant, villa compound, and yoga shala. The four facilities are arranged in a flowy and soulful arrangement on a 7,840 square meters area. Therefore, guests who come here can also enjoy every corner of the site comfortably.

The DRNP is divided into three zones: public, semi-private, and private. The public zone is placed on the southernmost side, the highest contour. Then the semi-private and private zones are in the middle, also the north of the site as well. A tropical landscape connects the three zones. However, who would have thought that the DRNP site was a dry empty land, with lots of rocks, and dry trees? After conducting a topographical study, Arkana Architects reduced cut and filled as much as possible. Collaborating with Bali Landscape Company, we designed an artificial river that also functions as a wastewater garden.

A wastewater garden (WWG), is a concept for processing and reusing liquid waste that is ecologically productive. This system utilizes nature as a solution to environmental problems, especially those related
to liquid waste. WWG uses plants, microbes, sunlight, and gravity to turn wastewater into beautiful gardens and reusable water. The combination of lush trees with artificial river flow has made the community’s stigma against the arid Penida.

In line with the landscape, the DRNP architecture also applies tropical-modern concepts to each building mass. The restaurant and the entrance area are designed in a simple yet eye-catching form. The client even added a mural on one of the walls so that the impression of fun can be present here. Then, the roof itself uses an asphalt roof combined with solar panels. The use of solar panels can also be used as a source of electric power by maximizing the absorption of sunlight. From here, guests can enjoy the beauty of Mount Agung. Similar to a restaurant, the dive center area located behind it also has the same type of building. Yet, the dive center is designed to be smaller than the restaurant.

Both are directly integrated with a shared swimming pool of 136 sqm area with a shape that has many curves. Uniquely, this swimming pool is designed as a pool for diving practice. So, it has three meters depth, following safety standards to avoid the risk of injury when someone jumps into the water.

In contrast, the 10 villa compounds which are spread out linearly are designed with predominantly white color. Even though, the combination still makes a unity. The combination between white color and exposed wood makes this compound villa feel tropical and modern at the same time. The light and bright atmosphere are present here. The timber used also has its reasons. This is a camphor wood and bengkirai decking which is easy to get in Bali, so we can minimize the shipping costs.

This wood can also be seen in the yoga shala located at the north end. The yoga shala needs a quiet atmosphere, so this zone is perfect. Besides that, they also have the best view from a restaurant, Mount
Agung.

In the end, instead of just relishing in the natural view, there are also interesting visual and spatial elements to explore. An integration between tropical vibes and modern concepts is poured into this resort as well.