Yolodi+Maria Architects was commissioned to design The Meru Sanur, alongside the renovation of Bali Beach Hotel and Bali Beach Convention Center, by Indonesia Natour (InJourney Hospitality). Gregorius Supie Yolodi and Maria Rosantina, founders of the architecture studio, were also appointed as design coordinators, managing the engineering and design teams for the project. Below is an excerpt from Indonesia Design’s chat with them about The Meru Sanur.
What was the brief from InJourney Hospitality for this project?
The grand vision for the project came from the former President Joko Widodo through the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir. Under the supervision and coordination of Minister Eric Thohir, led by the Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, Director of InJourney Dony Oskaria and Director of Hospitality of Indonesia Network (HIN)/InJourney Hospitality Christine Hutabarat, the project aimed to transform Sanur into a premier health and wellness tourism destination, to blend medical services with recreation.
The Sanur SEZ covers 41.26 hectares and includes facilities such as five-star hotels, an Ethno Medicinal Garden, an International Convention Centre with a capacity of 5,000 people, and other amenities supported by cutting-edge technology.
A key aspect of the project was to celebrate the historical significance of the Bali Beach Hotel, which was initiated by Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, in 1963 and renamed Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel in 1986. We translated this vision into a modern realisation, preserving and restoring the signature elements of the original design while ensuring the new structures harmonise with its architectural heritage.
The space between the porte-cochère and the lobby forms an impressive tunnel. What inspired this design?
Our goal was to create a welcoming area and lobby that reflect the elegance of a five-star hotel. We wanted to provide guests with a spatial experience that evokes emotion and sets the tone for their stay.
You used rough-surface marble for the walls and glossy marble slabs for the floor of the tunnel. Could you explain the reasoning behind this choice?
The materials for the new structures primarily consist of wood and stone. For the tunnel, we used dark stone with a rough texture to enhance its character and create visual depth. To make the space feel taller than it is, we applied marble with a textured finish to the walls and a dark stainless mirror to the ceiling for its reflective quality. The floor features dark, glossy marble, which complements the walls and adds a sense of continuity and sophistication.
The wooden roof construction detail is striking. Could you elaborate on its design?
To distinguish The Meru from the white heritage tower of the Bali Beach Hotel, we chose wood and stone as the primary materials. Local woods such as ironwood and merbau were used for the exterior, with additional local wood varieties for the interiors. We emphasised the natural beauty of the wood by incorporating detailed joint work, so as to enrich its character and adding an artisanal touch to the overall design.