Ketut Siandana

Biography

In 1990, Ketut Siandana, an exclusive designer for Waka Resorts and several young architects joined to form one design called Kori d’Arch. After five years, Ketut Siandana formed a new design company called Sian’D’Sain, which still stands today. The success achieved by Sian’D’Sain led them to collaborate with national and international architects such as Peter Muller, Fredrick Taffln, Alan Gilbert, Ang Wee Teeck and Hidemi Inoue. This architect and entrepreneur, born in Denpasar, Bali, in 1964, graduated from the Department of Udayana Architecture in 1997.

Architectural Career

Ketut Siandana’s work primarily focuses on resort typology. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Silver Medal at the Tri Hita Karana Award in 2000 and the Bronze Medal in 2001 for his piece “Waka Gangga.” His work “Waka di Ume” has also been recognised with multiple honours: the Bronze Medal at the Tri Hita Karana Award in 2003, the Gold Medal in 2007, and the Green Hotel Award from the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam in 2010.

Media publications have also highlighted Ketut Siandana’s design specialisation, particularly in print media within the hospitality industry. Notable publications include Relax Magazine, Hello Bali, Honeymoon Travel, Crea, Tanto, Brutus, and Doman. Additionally, his work has been featured in several books, including Bali Hideaways, Hip Hotel: Escape, Hip Hotel: Budget by Herbert Ypma, Romantic Hideaways in Asian Resorts, and Ultimate Resorts & Spas by Akihiko Seki.

A Conversation with Ketut Siandana

In 2024 we met Ketut Siandana after he recently completed a project together with the village community involved with the restoration of a temple in Karangasem, Pura Luhur Sari Bukit Cemeng. Throughout our conversation Ketut Siandana shared some personal reflections that were enlightening as a result of this community project.

In architecture, whenever you finish, it is never satisfying. There is always a feeling of why it is just this much, not more. Some works of architecture are often commercial. Through the business aspect, they have commercial satisfaction. Sometimes, we feel personal gratification because our clients get satisfaction through the commercial benefits of our design.

Crossroads

But after my age now, after my 60’s, there is a bit of fed up, we are a bit tired of working on commercial projects, housing,.. if it is just a project there is a bit of boredom.. it is no longer that attractive to do that work. Sometimes, it still needs to be done for life, staff, children.. that .. this is where I am at the moment. A little bit at the crossroads.

An Unexpected Twist… a New Chapter.

It was during this time that Ketut Siandana had an unexpected request made of him. Community members connected to a Temple in Karangasem came to ask for his assistance in completing a restoration of their temple. Throughout not a simple journey, in hindsight, it seems his wish was answered. Ketut Siandana seems to have arrived at a new starting point. He is still doing his work, however, as though starting again from the beginning. A time of rediscovery and learning. Though through architecture but in ways he never expected.

Here in Sawidji, one of the most enriching gifts we receive each day is to be in the company of many individuals, generous in spirit. Not only sharing their knowledge and creativity but opening up so much of themselves. Letting us in that we can glimpse into the personally profound moments. In that instance, unseen distances are bridged, guiding us through natural empathy and inspiration. The bounty continues as it gifts us with still more knowledge, leading to a better understanding of the world we live in.

Ketut Siandana Related

In addition to Ketut Siandana’s projects and sharing of his personal experiences, we look forward to the beginning of a new initiative. Initiated by Popo Danes, Ketut Siandana is one of the founding patrons of Baosaka.com. An initiative in partnership with Sawidji. Baos means to ‘discuss’, and ‘saka‘ is a pillar. A platform to bring together architecture and other creatives and celebrate our interconnectivity. The relevance of architecture and its role in shaping environment, culture and the future. Keep posted for the launch of baosaka.com.