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Journal LatestBuilding in Bali while living somewhere else

Notes from the site and the studio

Practical writing on building, finishing and powering a home in Bali, from the people who do the work every day.

Aerial view of pitched villa roofs around a courtyard pool in Bali
Journal entryBODE Group

Building in Bali while living somewhere else

Many Bali homes are planned from another time zone. Distance changes what an owner needs from a builder, and most of it comes down to information that arrives without being chased.

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Villa lounge in Bali opening onto a plunge pool through sliding glass wallsJournal entryBODE Group2 min read

Four practices, one point of accountability

Why BODE Group is organised as four separate practices that share their drawings and their responsibility, and what that means for the person who owns the house.

White two storey house in Bali with arched windows and a round timber doorArticleConstruction3 min read

PBG and SLF: the two permits behind a legal building

Indonesia replaced the old IMB building permit in 2021. Here is what PBG and SLF mean for a new house in Bali, and why they matter long after the builders leave.

ArticleSolar3 min read

What a Bali roof receives from the sun

Before anyone talks about panels or prices, it helps to know how much energy actually lands on a roof in Bali, and how much of it a building can use.

Built-in arched teak cabinets in a white living room in BaliArticleInterior3 min read

Materials that age well in tropical air

Humidity and salt air are hard on finishes. Choosing materials that weather gracefully is one of the quiet decisions that shapes how a Bali house looks in ten years.

Finished white townhouses with pitched gable roofs in BaliArticleProcurement3 min read

Comparing contractor quotes without comparing the wrong things

Two quotes for the same house can differ by a third and still both be honest. Here is how to tell what you are actually comparing.

Terraced houses under construction in Bali with bamboo scaffolding and workers on siteBlogConstruction2 min read

Building through the wet season

From roughly November to March, afternoon storms shape every site on the island. A good schedule works with the rain instead of pretending it will not come.

Bright villa kitchen in Bali with timber joinery and an island counterBlogInterior2 min read

Why the interior should be drawn before the walls go up

Many owners think of interior design as the last stage of a build. Starting it early is one of the cheapest ways to end up with a better house.

ArticleSolar2 min read

Batteries and the hours after sunset

Solar panels produce most of their energy around midday, while many homes use most of theirs in the evening. Batteries bridge that gap, at a cost worth understanding.

Design render of a Bali villa entrance with arched openings and tropical plantingArticleProcurement2 min read

How a contractor shortlist is made

When BODE Procurement recommends contractors for a project, the list is short on purpose. This is what happens before a name appears on it.

Aerial view of foundations and ground floor walls on a building site in BaliArticleConstruction2 min read

Reading a bill of quantities before you sign

A bill of quantities can look like an accountant's spreadsheet. Learning to read one is the best protection an owner has against surprises in the final invoice.