Her is a serene, Japanese-influenced private studio in Ubud, Bali, crafted entirely from a ceased ancient tree found on the banks of the Bengawan Solo River.
Trained in Australia, Blanco Studio founder and architect Conchita Blanco’s portfolio is underpinned by Indonesian craftsmanship and ancient building practices. Conchita teamed up with her husband Avalon Carpenter, founder of Balinese woodwork atelier Kalpa Taru to pay tribute to Japan’s ‘calmness and completeness’ in this unique studio, where almost every element is custom-designed and lovingly made by hand.
Traditional sliding shoji paper doors screen the tea room.
Akin to centuries-old Japanese houses, or ‘Minkas’, Her sits on stilts and comprises an office, tea room, bathroom and a Japanese garden designed by Sebas Mesdag. Stepping stones lead to the floating, stand-alone studio, where a solid-timber door foreshadows the predominant use of timber throughout the space.
Conchita and Avalon meticulously studied traditional joinery and structures from Japan and Indonesia to engage in a thoughtful dialogue between materials and spaces. Aside from the tea room with its traditional sliding shoji paper doors, the rest of the openings are deliberately left without window coverings, encouraging a constant connection to the outdoors. The result is a composed reflection of Japanese philosophy balanced with Balinese artistry and deep sentiment.
Almost everything in Her was custom-designed by Conchita and handmade by her husband Avalon Carpenter from an ancient tree found on the banks of Java’s Bengawan Solo River.
The studio is compartmentalised through glass sliding doors, allowing for maximum flexibility throughout the space.
Husband-and-wife team Avalon Carpenter and Conchita Blanco.
