When most architects encounter a steep hillside, they see obstacles and engineering headaches. But architect Alexis Dornier saw something entirely different when he encountered one of the most challenging plots in Lombok's Tampah Hills development. His innovative Villa Boë now stands as proof that difficult terrain can become a design advantage when approached with creativity and vision.
The 1,151-square-meter home sits on ground that drops away at angles steep enough to make most builders reconsider their plans. Instead of fighting against the natural slope, Dornier embraced it completely, designing a house that appears to climb the hillside as if it had always belonged there. The result is a residence that defies conventional architectural thinking about what a house should look like.
Villa Boë abandons traditional concepts of unified facades and single rooflines. Instead, the home breaks into separate volumes that stack up the incline, with each section carefully angled to capture different views of the Indonesian coastline. The design is organized around circular geometry and radiating lines – a concept that might sound complex in theory but feels completely intuitive when experienced in person.
The choice of materials tells the story of place without forcing the narrative. Local teak wood wraps around overhangs, providing both shade and cultural connection, while pale stone and crisp white walls help keep interior temperatures comfortable under the intense tropical sun. This restrained but warm palette allows the dramatic natural setting to take center stage rather than competing with architectural flourishes.
One of the most striking features is the swimming pool, which cuts across multiple levels following the hillside's natural contours instead of imposing a rigid rectangular shape. This organic approach to the pool design exemplifies the project's overall philosophy of working with rather than against the site's natural characteristics.
Daily life in Villa Boë unfolds vertically, creating what feels like a vertical village spread across terraces. The garage tucks discretely into the base of the hill, while communal living spaces spread across the middle terraces where family and guests naturally gather. Two bedroom wings occupy the upper levels, each offering privacy while maintaining connection to the overall composition. At the very top, a circular yoga platform serves as the crown of the entire design.
Each level of the home offers distinctly different experiences and views. Lower levels provide intimate garden views and sheltered outdoor spaces, while upper terraces open to sweeping ocean panoramas that stretch to the horizon. This vertical organization means residents move through dramatically different spatial experiences throughout their daily routines.
What makes Villa Boë truly successful isn't just Dornier's clever approach to site planning – it's his deep understanding that effective tropical architecture should feel effortless. The spaces breathe naturally with the landscape, capturing cooling breezes and framing spectacular views without resorting to obvious architectural gestures or showmanship.
The design demonstrates careful observation of how people actually live in Indonesia's climate and culture. Teak overhangs provide essential shade during the hottest parts of the day, white walls reflect heat rather than absorbing it, and the vertical layout takes advantage of cooling breezes at different elevations. The stepped pool system also helps moderate temperatures across the various terraces.
Completed in 2024, Villa Boë represents something increasingly rare in contemporary architecture. The project manages to be thoroughly modern without being flashy or attention-seeking, while remaining deeply rooted in its place without falling into nostalgic pastiche. This balance between innovation and appropriateness makes the house feel both of its time and timeless.
The circular geometry that organizes the design isn't merely an aesthetic choice – it serves important functional purposes. The concentric circles and radial divisions help orient each room toward specific views while working harmoniously with the natural hilltop contours. This geometric framework ensures that every space captures either ocean vistas, mountain views, or intimate garden glimpses, maximizing the site's spectacular potential.
Villa Boë succeeds precisely because it respects both its dramatic setting and the people who will call it home. In an era filled with buildings that demand attention through bold gestures and unusual forms, this house earns recognition by knowing when to step back and allow Lombok's mountains and coastline to take center stage. The architecture serves as a thoughtful frame for the natural drama rather than competing with it.
The project stands as a compelling example of how site constraints can become design opportunities when approached with skill and sensitivity. Rather than seeing the steep terrain as a limitation, Dornier transformed it into the very essence of the home's character and appeal.
