Introducing the Newest Addition in SHL Asia
After managing to get through the unpredictable year of 2020, SHL Asia strives to come back stronger than before. We have been clearing our vision to achieve higher goals in 2021. Aside from having a complete revolution within the company, SHL Asia is having new additions of divisions and principals. Previously, there are only three divisions and principals in SHL Asia which are architecture, landscape and artwork. This year, SHL Asia is partnered up with other consultants to establish interior and lighting division as well as welcoming the first ever, two women principals into landscape and interior division. We are proudly celebrating women power in the newest milestone of SHL Asia.
Currently, there are 2 principals for the landscape division. The first one is Anang Rahman, which we have introduced and thoroughly covered on the 7th Issue of Design by Style. On late December of 2020, we have appointed the new principal of landscape design, Atriawardhani and effective starting on January 2021. She has quite a long history with SHL Asia, it was started with her internship program during her senior year in the university and applied for an architect not long after she finished. Atria was graduated from Landscape Architecture study of Udayana University. She is and always been passionate with all things plants as she constantly showcases knowledge and skills both in the studio and out in the field.
Coming up with new divisions for SHL Asia was definitely a big step for us. With past experiences as well as many possible opportunities, however, we made the decision through careful considerations. SHL Asia intends to create design that is integrated from one element to another. The correlation between architecture, landscape, interior, lighting and artwork needs to be synergized. Not only they can complement each other but also beautifully tied up together. SHL Asia’s interior division is trusted under the interior design principal, Citra Reninta. We decided to affiliate with an interior designer partner to truly deliver expertise. She has classy taste of design and offers variety of styles on her portfolio. We admire her works very much and feel honored to be able to work together.
We believe in the people. The new principals have proven to show high work ethic while demonstrate professionalism even in this men-dominated industry. With the addition of two strong women in the front line, SHL Asia is a diverse institution that accommodates true ethic and skills. Moving forward, 2021 is a new year, new culture and new goal. We feel greatly optimistic about it and so thrilled to deliver timeless design for valuable people.
Cheers,
SHL Asia Team
SHL Asia Reflects on 2020
The end of the year is near. Looking back at what happened this year, we have reflected and came to realize how much things have changed from inside and out. It changed on we think and manage things. When the pandemic struck earlier this year, everyone was at lost, including us. There was no warning nor announcement to prepare us for what has to come.
Initially, people were not sure about what was going to happen, especially Balinese people where the island is hugely supported by the tourism sector. After the travel warning was out, the economy just went downhill. Restaurants were out of business, hotels were closing down, malls and stores are closed. As a consultant that focuses on hospitality design, SHL Asia is more or less affected by the situation since many of our clients come from hospitality sector that are greatly impacted.
Fortunately, we are surrounded by respected clients, partners and loyal friends that continuously support us through these hard times. When we surround ourselves with positivity, we can see the silver linings in every condition. We see things in a more positive way thus affect our attitude in facing certain things and attract what our mind is thinking. Hence we managed to get through this year.
Throughout the year, we have designed various projects for both landscape and architecture. The same goes with construction project that are still going forward even with slower pace. More on that, with everything that is going in, here are some things that we are grateful about and worth celebrating this year.
2020 remarks a decade SHL Asia being in the industry. We were established in 2010 and ten years later here we are. Like a human being, SHL Asia has matured each year aiming for the better self than before, to deliver better service and design and to give back to the community. To celebrate this glorious event, together with a hospitality photographer, we are planning something really exciting in 2021, something big and never done before. (Follow us and stay updated!). Fast forward to the last quarter of the year, we got the opportunity to be featured on Lumion Indonesia’s official website and Youtube channel. We are honored yet humbled to be able to contribute and share our design to bigger audience.
Aside from that, every year the architecture community regularly holds several design exhibitions and seminars. With the pandemic going on, big gatherings like such were not being held like normal. Just like many other activities, almost all of them have turned into an online event to avoid big crowds. Seminars turned into webinars on zoom and formal exhibition turned into Instagram panel exhibition. It did not feel the same but it obviously worked
We are astonished on how people adapt to certain condition and manage to make it work. When things like this happen, the only thing we can do to survive is to keep moving forward and adapt. We surround ourselves with good people and good vibes and overall being grateful about little things we have taken for granted. For 2021, we wish to be kinder and a better SHL Asia for everyone. So long 2020…
Cheers,
SHL Asia Team
The Rising Popularity of Concrete on Bali Architecture Map
Concrete in Bali
Here in Bali, the Balinese red bricks characteristic is slowly shifted to other different materials, such as concrete. Although concrete is not common in traditional Balinese buildings but it has made its way to Ujung Water Palace (Taman Ujung) in Karangasem where it was used its renovation after Mount Agung eruption. The palace was originally built by the King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik and it is a privately owned by Karangasem Royal.
In modern architecture of Bali, concrete is usually left in its exposed state in order to create a raw, industrial statement. Using concrete to form simple but striking volumes of different shapes and sizes is a common approach, often designed to create architecture that contrasts with nature, yet feels grounded within its context.
Tropical Brutalism Architecture
Concrete is now becoming more popular in the island. One of the reasons is due for its reflective nature. Concrete reflects heat as opposed to absorbing it, making it suitable in this tropical climate of Bali. More commercial buildings, art spaces even private houses are now implementing raw concrete finish and often adorn with tropical softscape. This concept is also known with the term of “Tropical Brutalism.”
Some of the most interesting architecture today lies in the architects’ ability to find a connectivity of buildings and nature by combining it with other materials like wood, glass and steel for that twist of design. Concrete and wood is particularly popular pair in Bali. Combining woodwork adds warmth and ease to a massive concrete building impression. It also picks up more texture and pattern to the concrete backdrop.
Nicolas Schuybroek X SHL Asia
The concept is implemented for a private residence in Tabanan area, a collaboration on-going project between an international architect, Nicholas Schuybroek, as the principal architect and SHL Asia as the local architect. Nicholas’s architecture style is heavily influenced by minimalism and simplicity. His projects often use concrete material, including the one in Bali. SHL Asia will add more tropical feel to overall design through the simplistic tropical garden. Although the design looks modern and minimalistic, the details are exquisite. It may seem cool from its exterior, but the interior and furniture give warmth throughout the house creating a sense of balance.
With the endless possibility that concrete can offer, it is no wonder that it gotten more and more popular in the architectural map across the country especially in this island. The challenge for architects will be to ensure that such innovation would not replace or overshadow the vernacular architecture of Bali, rather it can be combined and integrated with such harmony creating an extraordinary contemporary design.
Cheers,
SHL Asia Team
