What's Your Style: Tropical Modernism is Sustainable and Stylish
If you love the style of a modern Bali villa, your interior style is probably tropical modernism
Modernism in architecture is the single strongest movement in design to come from the 20th century. It is about the way buildings function as spaces for living, using new materials like concrete and steel and allowing them to create large, open plan living spaces.
The move towards what became known as ‘tropical modernism’ came about as the closed-in, concrete heavy modernist architecture moved into warmer climates, and needed to become more open and more focused on the use of natural materials.
One of the most famous founders of this architectural style is Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Manning Bawa. Bawa was perhaps the first to mix the simple lines of modernism with the cultural and practical concerns of where he was building.
Taking into account temperature and materials available, Bawa created the first tropical modernist building in late 1950s. His early works have a touch of colonialist architecture about them, but are more pared back in details and depend more on local insights into passive cooling, for example.
Tropical modernism which relies on the traditional techniques of indigenous architecture (for things like passive cooling and sustainable building) is having a resurgence due to the current green/sustainable mindset.
The style is perfectly suited to our region which is why you see so many examples of it in places like Bali.
One of the most famous founders of this architectural style is Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Manning Bawa. Bawa was perhaps the first to mix the simple lines of modernism with the cultural and practical concerns of where he was building.
Taking into account temperature and materials available, Bawa created the first tropical modernist building in late 1950s. His early works have a touch of colonialist architecture about them, but are more pared back in details and depend more on local insights into passive cooling, for example.
Tropical modernism which relies on the traditional techniques of indigenous architecture (for things like passive cooling and sustainable building) is having a resurgence due to the current green/sustainable mindset.
The style is perfectly suited to our region which is why you see so many examples of it in places like Bali.
Get tropical modernism right
There are a few key aspects to consider when going for this style:
Natural light
The most important is lots and lots of natural light, combined with as lush a garden or greenery as you can manage .
There are a few key aspects to consider when going for this style:
Natural light
The most important is lots and lots of natural light, combined with as lush a garden or greenery as you can manage .
Plants and water
In many instances, the surrounding plants and gardens are part of creating the passive cooling that is integral to the design.
In many instances, the surrounding plants and gardens are part of creating the passive cooling that is integral to the design.
The use of water is another important aspect; from koi ponds to water features, water is used to assist with the cooling of the space.
Timber, stone and bricks
Using natural materials like wood, bricks and stone, are also intrinsic to the style. These are combined with clean, natural finishes – like plaster walls for example.
Using natural materials like wood, bricks and stone, are also intrinsic to the style. These are combined with clean, natural finishes – like plaster walls for example.
The natural materials continue into the furniture, with timber being the most common.
Open plan and high ceilings
Open plan spaces, cross ventilation and the high ceilings are necessary.
Open plan spaces, cross ventilation and the high ceilings are necessary.
The style can easily be adapted for those in apartments.
Tip: By keeping all the furniture low to the ground and not cluttering up the walls, you can create a similar feeling of higher ceilings.
Tip: By keeping all the furniture low to the ground and not cluttering up the walls, you can create a similar feeling of higher ceilings.
Be inspired by Bali and beyond…
Balinese design has made a huge impact on the tropical modernist movement.
Why Is Bali so influential in tropical modernism?
Balinese design has made a huge impact on the tropical modernist movement.
Why Is Bali so influential in tropical modernism?
With master carvers and other talented artisans working in a hospitality-driven industry with many luxury resorts, you have an interior style that is both luxurious and natural.
Get the look: Seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
Get the look: Stone, concrete and timber for a stunning bathroom.
Get the look: In an apartment, mix white walls, medium-toned timber and plants.
Get the look: Make the most of your space by keeping the furniture low to the ground. Timber slats cover the windows but let light in at the same time.
Get the look: Streamlined timber treads.
Get the look: Bright tropical colour with timber and white walls.
Get the look: Open up to the outdoors as much as you can to keep the interior cool and well-ventilated.
Get the look: Open brick work and marble merges the utilitarian with the luxurious.
TELL US
If this is your style, show us photos of your tropical modern home in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
If this is your style, show us photos of your tropical modern home in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Essentially it is an architectural and interior design style based on what happens when modernism meets the tropical climate of not just Asia, but also southern United States and South America.