About Popo Danes
One of Indonesia’s most prominent architects, Popo Danes, is passionate about harmony between culture and art. However, through architecture, Popo Danes has found a powerful bridge for advocating sustainable development whilst inspiring others to remember that ‘a tree does not grow without its roots.’
Biography
Nyoman Popo Priyatna Danes, commonly known as Popo Danes, was born in Bali in 1964. He made significant contributions to the advancement of contemporary architecture in his homeland. After completing his architectural studies he participated in the Rotary Study Exchange program in the Netherlands between April and June 1992. In 1993, he founded his architecture firm, Popo Danes Architects.
I was often teased as the one child from the village. The only village kid of the four siblings. I was born in the village. But this is something that makes my journey complete. My understanding of the roots of our culture that is present in our family.
~P.D
The works of the two-time ASEAN Energy Award winner (in the category of Best Practice in Tropical Architecture) are known as some of the most striking in design, functionality, and environmental consciousness. Air conditioners take up the biggest energy consumption in a building, and Popo’s eco-friendly creations can ‘communicate’ with nature to lessen energy consumption through the overuse of air conditioners. Most of Popo’s architectural projects involve challenging landscapes from Indonesia to India and China to the Philippines.
“ Many projects I’ve been doing so far involve slanted soil, hilly surfaces, and everything else that is not flat. I can always take the easy job. For example in Bali, I get many offers to design a building on a flat surface. To build it, I have to get rid of a rice field. I will never build anything on a rice field. The rice field symbolises prosperity for the Balinese, and is home to the Goddess of Prosperity, Dewi Sri.” ~P.D
Awards and Achievements
Member
- Indonesian Institute of Architects, since 1992
- ASEAN Architect, since 2017
APPOINTED AS
- Head of Design Committee of Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), 2011-2018.
- Honorary Consul of the Republic of Tunisia for Bali, 2012 – present.
Awards
- Bali Governor Awards as 1st Winner for Architectural Design Competition, Bali Art Festival [1986]
- Indonesian Institute of Architects Awards as an Effort to Enrich Balinese Contemporary Architectural and Expression Heritage by Exhibition and The Publication of Architectural Work Books [2002]
- The ASEAN Energy Awards for ASEAN Energy Efficient Building, Best Practices Competition -Tropical Building Category: Natura Resort and Spa[2004] and Ubud Hanging Gardens [2008]
- Award from SOMFY as the best facade design in Asia : “BioClimatic Facade” for Natura Resort and Spa [2008]
- Indonesian construction Awards for Planning/Development category from Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Republic of Indonesia : Natura Resort and Spa [2003] and Ubud Hanging Gardens [2009]
- Indonesian Institute of Architect Awards, Best Practices Competition – Conservation Building Category: Baciro House [2002], Tandjung Bungkak House [2005] and Roemah Langko Restaurant [2018]
- Prix Versailles Continental Awards. Hotels Category: South Asia and Pacific Region for Lelewatu Resort Sumba [2020]
- Kohler Bold Design Awards | Travel : Resort | Architectural Award : Lelewatu Resort Sumba [2021]
Exhibitions
- “New Paradigm in Balinese Architecture”. Solo exhibition by Popo Danes Architect, Art Center, Denpasar. August 18-25, 2002.
- “Transformation”. A solo exhibition of architecture by Popo Danes, Denpasar. February 7-15, 2004.
- “Popo Danes”. Solo exhibition architecture by Popo Danes in collaboration with the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Bandung. May 10-14, 2004.
- “Design: Context and Process”. A solo exhibition of architecture by Popo Danes collaborated with the ITS, Surabaya. July 27-29, 2004.
2010 – Present
- “World Town Planning Day”. The architectural exhibition in order to celebrate the “World Town Planning Day” organized by PU. Werdhapura, Sanur – Bali. November 6-8, 2010.
- “Segar”. The architectural exhibition along with 56 architectural works that have not been published from the Association of Indonesian Architects at Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace, Jakarta. September 11-13, 2015
- “Indonesian Architects Week Seoul 2017”. An architectural exhibition organized by
- Indonesian Architects in collaboration with ARCASIA, IAI and Imaji. The event was held in order to celebrate the “International Union of Architects Congress in Seoul 2017” event. This exhibition has the theme “Volume | Mobility | Investment | Interaction | Environment “. September 2017
- “Bali Architecture Weeks 2019”. Crafting The Archipelago, An architectural exhibition organized by Popo Danes Architect and supported by Indonesian Architects Association. Bentara Budaya Bali, Denpasar – Bali. February 9th – 17th, 2019.
Publication
- Arsitektur Sinkretik” by Popo Danes [2001]
- “Bali Living in Two World, A Critical Self Portrait” by Popo Danes [2001]
- “New Regionalism in Bali Architecture” by Popo Danes [2011]
- “Popo Danes: Bali Inspired: Architecture for the Tropical World” | Rizzoli [2020]
Architecture of Sustainability and Identity
The design fundamentals of Popo Danes Architects are the use of traditional Balinese architectural styles and local materials, concern for ecological aspects, and spatial processing that adapts to the surrounding context. The project distribution is not only in Bali but also in other cities in Indonesia, and even in different countries.
“What modern architecture is still trying to achieve today has been implemented in the traditional Balinese architecture for centuries now, where the concepts of energy conservation and environmental preservation are amongst the fundamental elements in every design.”
~P.D
Popo Danes Architects
Some of their Bali-based projects are Natura Resort & Spa, Ombak Luwung Beachfront Estate, Ubud Hanging Gardens, Nandini Jungle Resort & Spa, Munduk Moding Plantation, The Shanti Resort & Residence, Villa Bayad, Holiday Inn Resort Baruna, L Hotel, Permata Ayung Estate, Fontana Hotel, Pandawa Cliff Estate, Tirta Shanti Villa, Kaba-Kaba Estate, Ubud Yoga Center, Natya Resort Ubud, Samsara Resort Ubud, Ngiring Ngewedang, Adiwana Suweta, Pandawa Residence and The Hava.
State Collaborations
Apart from hospitality projects, Popo Danes Architect also works on several public facilities projects which are a collaboration with the government. These include the development of Besakih Temple, Taman Balekambang: The Development of Javanese Cultural Park, Sanur Terminal Facility Development and G20 Monument.
Popo Danes National Projects
Several of their projects that spread in other cities are Baciro House (Yogyakarta), MGallery Nirup Island (Batam-Riau Island), Lelewatu Resort Sumba (West Sumba-NTT), Mapur Resort (Bintan Island), Westin Bandung (Bandung-West Java), Maua Labuan Bajo (Labuan Bajo-NTT), Cipaku Hills Sanctuary (Bandung-West Java) and Yenmioren Resort (Raja Ampat-Papua). The locations of their abroad projects include the Philippines, Thailand, India, Maldives, and Dubai, UAE.
Architectural Exhibitions
Several exhibitions have featured their works, such as ICONIC Architecture at the 61st FIABCI World Congress and World Town Planning Day at the Smart Green City Planning Conference, both in Bali, 2010, then Pameran Segar, Jakarta (2015), Jakarta Architecture Triennale, Jakarta (2015), Bridging The Gap and Promoting Global Partnership at the Bali Clean Energy Forum, Bali (2016), Indonesian Architects Week Seoul (IAWS) 2017 South Korea, Pameran Serasi, Bali (2018), and IAI Awards, Bandung (2018). Furthermore, the Lelewatu Resort project, West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, has been displayed at the London Exhibition (2017).
The Culture Cornerstone
When I designed my first house I had not come to know traditional architecture in Bali so the references I used were magazines and books from foreign architecture. I only started to know traditional architecture after university. It is a note of my journey. It is later that I started to learn how to connect those traditional aspects to modern designs. ~P.D
Continuing Heritage
In the second compound of our family home, we have a legacy of Wayangs. My great-grandfather was of two brothers. My great-grandfather’s brother liked the world of Wayang and became a Dalang. In this room, there is Wayang Wong with the iconic Twalen. Also, Wayang Kulit of which we have two sets. Every Tumpek Wayang day, we celebrate this quite seriously. We are grateful that our family can still maintain this heritage. These masks are already over 100 years old. ~P.D
Architecture of Natural Origins
Popo Danes may be known internationally as a renowned architect. One whose professional identity is intrinsically connected to Green Architecture, and all that relates to sustainable development. Design that translates not only structure for function but considers many complex layers within its execution. A consistency of principle, insofar as proven part of personal character. However, in his hometown, it is not so much these grand achievements. He is known as jovial, stubborn and down-to-earth. A strong supporter of art and culture. A bi-product of his community-conscious nature that is generous in its collaborative spirit.
A deep care for Nature, cherishing what the earth yields, and a vision committed to raising the community and the integrity of Bali’s heritage. These are the fruits of his cultural cornerstone. As an architect, he embodies his Balinese life philosophy. And has translated the roots of heritage to transition successfully into a contemporary structure.
Popo Danes Related Initiatives and Articles
Keep posted for the launch of a new program in collaboration with Ketut Siandana and Sawidji.
More about Architecture for Kids at Popo Danes Art Veranda, an annual program for children.
