2025
LUMAH, derived from the Balinese word for "home," reimagines remote living and working as an immersive, off-grid experience embedded within nature. Elevated within a lightweight bamboo tetrahedral frame, the dwelling responds to the environmental challenges faced by Indonesia, a geography highly susceptible to seismic events and coastal flooding due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. LUMAH proposes a deployable, off-grid, remote cabin designed for adaptability and resilience.
LUMAH’s design adopts a “flex-not-fail” structural philosophy, centred on tetrahedral geometry for its substructure and frame, and bamboo—a naturally flexible material—for its external envelope. Departing from conventional orthogonal systems, the design leverages the inherent stability of the tetrahedron to create a structure that effectively distributes forces during seismic events. An elevated volume within the frame provides a resilient living unit during flooding and heavy rainfall.
Front elevation and top down view
Lower and upper level plans
Faceted openings frame curated views of the environment, while shifting daylight animates the interior throughout the day, transforming the space into a dynamic place for both rest and remote work. Designed for digital nomads, the dwelling positions remote work as experiential where productivity is balanced with immersion in nature, and daily routines are shaped by light, landscape, and autonomy.
The living unit is designed as an off-grid, self-sustaining habitat, independent of external infrastructure, through the use of ‘backpack’ support systems. Renewable eneregy is integrated by canopy solar panels and battery storage. Water and sanitation are managed through a closed-loop system, combining rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling for non-potable reuse, and a composting toilet that transforms waste into fertiliser. Sustenance and circularity are further supported by an integrated food composting module, reinforcing a regenerative approach to living.
Nestled within the rainforest canopy, the dwelling touches the ground lightly, its elevated, permeable structure minimising environmental impact while fully immersing occupants in the surrounding landscape.
Illustration of the kit-of-parts system, including the tetrahedral bamboo exoskeleton, prefabricated living pods, and integrated off-grid systems such as canopy-mounted solar panels.
London | Kuala Lumpur