YSG Transforms Bali Residence Into Boutique Wellness Hotel
Australian studio YSG converts a private villa into a music-themed boutique hotel in Ubud.
1Adaptive Reuse Project
Australian studio YSG has converted a former private vacation residence into the Moon Gang Bali hotel. Located in the rice fields on the northern outskirts of Ubud, the property was previously a concrete bunker in severe disrepair. The renovation transformed the site into a modern boutique hotel featuring five interconnected suites.
2Musical and Cultural Focus
The hotel emphasizes Indonesian music and culture, featuring an all-day spa and a unique DIY DJ station. Guests can access a curated collection of Indonesian and Japanese city pop records selected by DJ Midnight Runners. This integration of music serves as a core experiential element for visitors staying at the property.
3Architectural Design Elements
Designers utilized bamboo, timber structures, and lava stone tiling to create a hybrid aesthetic. The spa area features sliding bamboo doors that depict lunar phases, adding cosmic references to the interior. These architectural choices reflect a blend of Indonesian and Japanese design influences throughout the hotel's common areas and private suites.
4Local Material Sourcing
YSG prioritized local materials due to the site's secluded location, which is only accessible by foot or motorbike. The project features furniture and decor from local studios, including stools made from recycled plastic bottle tops by Weedoo Plastics and handwoven lounge chairs by BYO Living, highlighting a commitment to sustainable, regional craftsmanship.
5Structural Remediation Efforts
The renovation required addressing significant water damage found in the original structure. The team replaced rotten wooden walls, portions of the roof, and concrete flooring. Additionally, they crushed terracotta tiles and breeze blocks to repurpose them as drainage material, ensuring the site could handle local environmental conditions after the extensive structural repairs.
6Cultural Symbolic Details
The pool area features a black-and-white checkered tile relief surrounding its edge. This design choice serves as a direct nod to the Saput Poleng cloths traditionally wrapped around holy objects in local Balinese customs. Such details aim to ground the modern, playful aesthetic within the specific cultural context of the island.
7Logistical Site Constraints
The hotel's remote location along a narrow alleyway presented significant logistical challenges for the construction team. Because heavy transport was impossible, YSG designed joinery to be assembled directly on-site. This approach allowed the studio to manage the difficult terrain while successfully adding a new second-storey bamboo suite with a skylight.
8Market Positioning Strategy
Targeting dreamers, misfits, and wanderers, the hotel offers an alternative to Bali's larger, traditional resorts. By focusing on intimate, design-led spaces and niche cultural experiences, YSG positions the property as a boutique destination. This project follows the studio's previous work in Sydney, where they converted warehouses into creative co-working spaces.
Original article: Dezeen — YSG Transforms Bali Residence Into Boutique Wellness Hotel