The North Bali International Airport

Abstract

In 2012, Indonesia government confirmed the intention of developing a new international airport on the northern part of Bali. Building an airport is believed to be a stepping stone in improving the infrastructure and economic sectors of the area. On the other hand, building an airport on the untouched land, such as northern Bali, could negatively transform its natural, social, and cultural values.

With the stunning unspoiled landscape and indigenous culture of Bali, the North Bali Airport is facing a big challenge on how to make a reasonable compromise that is minimise the negative and maximise positive of economic, environmental, social, and cultural impacts. Through an ecologically, socially, and culturally careful design, the impact on the land and the people can largely soften.

One way to do it is to reintroduce the Tri Hita Kirana and bamboo as the local building material. Bamboo has prominent advantages ignored by most contemporary architects. This project aims to treat bamboo as a magnificent material which possesses the ability of constructing extraordinary architectural forms. Some parts of the airport will be hand-made from the hands of locals; as a result, it will strengthen the sense of belonging towards their airport.

Finally, the North Bali Airport will answer everyone’s doubt. It will develop Bali in all aspects -economic, environmental, social, and cultural sectors. In addition, the North Bali Airport will have a distinct genius loci, a great advantage compared to the other placeless airports over the world.