CONCEPT DESCRIPTION

Traditional Balinese culture basis is both regenerative (exists within the cycles of the living world) and distributive (shares value equitably with stakeholders), a model fitting for the Harmony Project. 

The typical self-contained walled resort — a compound of villas, public spaces priced by view and size — is deconstructed with the Harmony Project Village format. Sleeping 2-4 people with multiple dining, socializing and in-room wellness options residences are interspersed among existing family compounds (perhaps a five minute walk distance). F&B is delivered to the dwellings, finished and served by attendants, thus wellbeing, F&B and life are experienced within the residence conforming to village life, not within rambling venues among strangers of the typical walled-resort format.

Purpose-built residences using indigenous materials/technology, designed following the traditional family compound (see below) with a small kitchen and assigned attendant (butler), who presumably lives near by perhaps in the same  village, are scattered within a working village. Within the Pinge village (see video composite at left), a common center (balaibangar) is established for additional dining option, arrival, library/gallery, etc. 

The sojourners walk/bike to the balaibangar to meet with the naturalists/teachers who lead safaris on the river, village, mountains, learning center, etc.  Ideally teachers  (guru) live in or near the village utilizing existing learning centers or venues.

There is no resort entry gate.  Unlike Amandari, a “traditional” village is not recreated, rather an existing one is encompassed, (partnered with) and integrated within the experience.  The village community is thoroughly engaged, farmers commissioned for produce. See farmer Made Anggir in the video profile example at left speaking to the Harmony Project model integrating the community economy, rather than replacing it . Investment is concentrated within the guest residence, not vast public and rambling spa complexes.  The aggregated footprint space is likely smaller than the resort compound.  Land cost is likely cheeper because contiguous real estate is not necessary.  In short, the Triple Top and Bottom Lines are enhanced — the village economy more integrated with little disturbance. 

The Balinese Resource for Life emanates from within an existing village and surrounding farmland, rivers and mountains shared with the inhabitants drawing on their culture and life style’s attributes and lessons.  

1. Central courtyard - Natah 

2. Family Shrine - Sanggah Kemulan 

3. North - main sleeping room of the head of the household (four wall enclosed)- Bale daja or meten 

4. West pavilion - Bale dangin or sikepat (Sometimes used ceremonies, such as weddings, or for day-bed).

5. East pavilion - Bale dauh or tiang sanga 

6. South pavilion - Bale delod or sekenam  (Sometimes used for the preparation of ceremony, and associated items such as canning or banter).

FAMILY COMPOUND

The family compound -- The Balinese house looks inward – the outside is simply a high wall. Inside there is a garden and a separate small building or bale for each activity – one for cooking, one for washing and the toilet, and separate buildings for each ‘bedroom’. In Bali’s mild tropical climate people live outside, so the ‘living room’ and ‘dining room’ will be open verandah areas, looking out into the garden. The whole complex is oriented on the kaja – kelod (towards the mountains–towards the sea) axis.

Analogous to the human body, compounds have a head (the family temple with its ancestral shrine), arms (the sleeping and living areas), legs and feet (the kitchen and rice-storage building), and even an anus (the garbage pit or pigsty). There may be an area outside the house compound where fruit trees are grown or a pig is kept.

BALIAN USADA, TRADITIONAL HEALER OF THE INTEGRATED CLINIC & INSTITUTE

The Integrated Clinic & Institute includes Balian Usada, a literate healer who acquired their skills by formalized study of classical texts about healing (the “usadas”) and specializes in the use of the ancient palm leaf manuscripts (from the lontar tree) containing treatises expounding medical, ritual and magical knowledge to give advise and treatment after eliciting symptoms from the client.  The Balian Usada go through a process of apprenticeship to prepare for consecration (“Mawinten”) by the community and the Hindu religion.  The Balian Usada specialize in the use of loloh (phytomedicine). Balian Gusti Mangku Samantra is profiled in the example video below..

GYANA VIHARA CULINARY INSTITUTUE

To engage the gastronomic arts, food permaculture, and moderate is consumption the Gyan Vihara Culinary Institute will be based in the Pinge Farm Village to take advantage of the farm and proximity to the Integrated Clinic, giving “farm to table” entirely fresh power and meaning.

FOOD CONCEPT

Harmony Project Bali brings the essence of indigenous cuisine from the mountains and lands of this pristine country to the forefront and blends them with modern, creative and unexpected finds from the various micro-climates throughout Bali. The result is a cuisine that connects with earth, recognizes seasons and ecology and caters to the subtle aspect of five elements, six tastes and seven dhatus (body tissues). It is a farm driven cuisine with global inspirations and aspirations that never stray from but ever build upon local and globally acknowledged traditions and ancient culture.

Food is sacred and plays a very important role in the lives of the Bhutanese people. As the principle classroom for the Gyan Vihara Culinary Institute we prepare and serve food with the purpose to “Delight, Sustain, Educate, Nourish and Heal”.

Mindfulness is at the core of our sourcing philosophy. We work with local farm, artisans and small producers to support their effort in preserving the ecology for present and future. Customized handmade clay pottery, stoneware and metal feature prominently in living and shared spaces. We hope to merge their interest and passion with ours; and celebrate the collective vision of “to be of service and enhancing wellbeing”.

Apothecary “the ancient medical wisdom based on recording of symptoms, prescriptions and directions for compounding the medicines” embraces a contemporary expression here where we develop authentic formulations under the guidance of our specialists from various systems of healing. We create our own medicine from the food, and the food from the medicine.