Set within the lush landscape of Ubud, Bali, Pablo Luna Studio has completed Juna Ubud Restaurant, an architectural project that merges climate-responsive design with craft, material intelligence and contemporary bamboo construction.
At its heart is a circular structure that organises social and dining spaces around a central opening, framing views of the surrounding rice fields and beyond. The geometry allows daylight and cross-ventilation to permeate the interior without reliance on mechanical cooling systems, directly responding to the region’s tropical heat. The stepped roof design further supports passive cooling by venting warm air toward the centre while directing rainwater inward, where it is managed sustainably on site, creating a circular water-harvesting system suited to the area’s high rainfall.
The primary structure is crafted from locally sourced bamboo, articulated through a series of arches and a defining A-frame that lends both strength and fluidity to the enclosure, while enhancing resilience in an earthquake-prone territory. A skylight clad in SolarTuff panels sits on a discreet steel frame that complements the bamboo structure, while ulin wood shingles, executed by local artisans, add rich texture to the roof.
Passive design strategies, including the open layout, ventilated roof gap, inner courtyard planting and a central pond work together to moderate heat and enhance thermal comfort. Water is supplied from a deep well and distributed by gravity, reducing overall energy demand. Through its thoughtful integration of vernacular wisdom and contemporary design, Juna demonstrates how architecture can respond to climate, context and culture with clarity and elegance.
