Bali Design was an integral part of tourism here and I, Jason, a Business Journalist at Bukit Vista, and in today’s feature for Bali Business Review’s exclusive insider interviews at Jia Festival 2025. At this forward-thinking design gathering, visionaries are reshaping the future of Bali’s built environment with a deep respect for local culture, nature, and a touch of architectural brilliance. Join me as we uncover how a design renaissance rooted in ancient philosophies, material innovation, and heartfelt collaboration aims to steer Bali toward a sustainable, vibrant future.
## Tri Hita Karana: The Foundational Philosophy of Harmony
One of the most profound takeaways from the Jia Festival 2025 is the recurring theme of **Tri Hita Karana**, Bali’s indigenous philosophy that champions balance among *people, nature, and the divine*. In an age of rapid and often disruptive development, this ancient principle offers a spiritual compass for design professionals seeking to build with intention rather than extraction.
Pablo Luna, an acclaimed architect featured in the festival, emphasized that building responsibly begins with asking the *right questions*: How does this project impact the land, the people, and the spiritual essence of the place? He encouraged a design approach that integrates into rather than disrupts local ecosystems:
>”Architects should act more like coordinators than commanders—listen to the community, observe the environment, and then design with authentic empathy.”
## Crafting Bali Design with Intent: From Bamboo to Chopsticks
If Tri Hita Karana guides the spirit of design, then sustainable materials fuel its body. **Orin Hardy** from Bamboo U spoke passionately about the **circular economy** and how rethinking “waste” can unlock beautiful possibilities. Take *ChopValue*, a design initiative transforming discarded chopsticks into dense, elegant furniture pieces. By employing pressure and precision, they’ve created tiles as strong as hardwood—turning overlooked materials into objects of beauty and function.
The balance of beauty and performance is key. Sustainable design is not merely eco-conscious but *economically viable* and emotionally resonant. As Orin pointed out, “If it’s beautiful and it works well, people will choose it naturally.” This shift, from consumption to thoughtful curation, is already taking flight in Bali’s creative scene.
## Collaboration Over Competition: The Jia Festival Ecosystem
The Jia Festival, founded by **Budiman Ong** and his team, is a glowing example of “*gotong royong*”—the Indonesian spirit of mutual cooperation. Born out of the creative resilience of the pandemic, Jia was never just a showcase of design. It became a living, breathing **ecosystem** where artists, artisans, architects, lighting designers, and product makers co-create, critique, and propel one another forward.
Budiman shared how Jia evolved from a collection of forty local brands to a platform attracting global attention. Yet its purpose remains clear: to provide a *cultural anchor* for responsible innovation that supports local economies, preserves traditional craftsmanship, and celebrates diversity through unity—*Bhinneka Tunggal Ika*.
## Curating Bali Design and Indonesian Identity on a Global Stage
Suzy Annetta, the festival’s curator, exemplifies cultural diplomacy in action. As a foreigner, she approached her curatorial role with humility, selecting works not just from acclaimed names like **Andra Matin** and **Danny Wicaksono**, but from a diverse community of Indonesian designers pushing the boundaries of sustainability and modern aesthetics. Her goal was more than showcasing architecture—it was about building bridges across generations, genders, and regions to reveal a unified narrative of *generational wisdom* that predates the modern “sustainability” label.
## Turning Trash into Treasure: Transforming Waste into Design
In one of the most powerful stories from the Jia Festival, **Gary Bencheghib** from Sungai Watch shared how river-cleanup initiatives are evolving into product design opportunities. By reclaiming plastic, glass, and waste, and turning them into functional furniture and installations, his team not only clears waterways but provides tangible proof that regeneration is possible when *creativity meets environmental urgency*.
>“We’re not just cleaning rivers—we’re creating a full-circle economy supported by design and driven by education,” Gary stated.
This aligns perfectly with the long-term goals of the Jia Festival: not only to inspire but also to incubate change that permeates classrooms, businesses, and communities.
## Spiritual Design, Economic Return
Bali has become a magnet for development, yet many projects fail to reflect the soul of the island. This gap was acknowledged by Bali Business Review co-founder **Jing Cho Yang**, who candidly reflected on mistakes made in early waves of Airbnb-fueled development. His message: financial success without cultural integrity is hollow.
What’s emerging instead is a model where **spiritual design and economic performance** are intertwined. In districts like Ubud, where ecological harmony guides development, properties not only generate better returns—they craft more meaningful guest experiences, creating economic value through *cultural sustainability*.
## A Return to Origins, A Future in Harmony
Perhaps the most poetic voice came from **Saskia**, a young Javanese creative at the festival, who introduced the concept of *urip iku urup*—to live is to shine your light for others. Rooted in Javanese philosophy, this idea mirrors the Balinese Tri Hita Karana, suggesting a broader **regional consciousness shift** back to spiritual, community-focused living.
Whether through AI-enhanced design, handcrafted lighting, or river-to-product waste interventions, one thing unites everyone at Jia: *intention*. The vision for Bali is no longer extraction but expression; not isolation but inclusion. From design studios to coastal villages, the message is resonating—responsible design rooted in local values is not only possible, it’s already happening.
## Conclusion: Designing for a Regenerative Future
The Jia Festival 2025 isn’t just a glimpse into cutting-edge art and architecture—it’s a social movement embedded in beauty, utility, and local wisdom. It shows the power of design to anchor culture, reimagine waste, and stir our collective desire to create with care. By embracing philosophies like Tri Hita Karana and leveraging the full power of collaborative ecosystems, Bali is poised for a design renaissance that is both economically resilient and spiritually regenerative.
If you’re planning to build in Bali, design with intention. If you’re visiting, seek out design spaces with depth. And if you’re part of this global community, Jia Festival invites you to **design not just for today—but for centuries to come.**
Jason, Business Journalist at Bukit Vista
🗒️ Read the transcript
Topic 1: Ancestral Roots and the Foundations of Bali Design
As I guided the conversation, the very first theme we explored was the importance of living in service to others, an idea that resonates deeply in authentic Bali design. Our talk centered on how one’s actions should serve a greater collective purpose. I asked my guests about ancestral veneration and the power of roots, both of which remain fundamental in Bali design thinking today. We all agreed that, especially here, achieving harmony means drawing inspiration from the spiritual and local wisdom that has shaped Bali design for generations—most notably seen through Tri Hita Karana, the harmonious union of God, humans, and nature.
Topic 2: Community, Ecosystem, and Collaboration in Bali Design
Discussing community participation, I highlighted how Bali design is increasingly about a shared ecosystem. Foreigners and locals alike must learn from those already part of the landscape, ensuring their Bali design efforts truly fit and enhance their environment. We reflected on the reality that the more deeply creators—both old and new—connect with every neighbor, animal, and even the land itself, the richer and more meaningful Bali design becomes.
Topic 3: Challenges of Unplanned Growth and Missteps in Bali Design
Reflecting on a decade in Bali, I candidly discussed how unintended consequences have set Bali design off-track. While early digital innovations helped democratize property markets, they also fostered shortcuts that undermined the substance and depth of real Bali design. I noted the need to shift from superficial approaches—embraced by so-called influencers—towards learning from those whose Bali design contributions are rooted in genuine expertise and local context.
Topic 4: Market Influence and Redefining Value in Bali Design
Through discussions with curators and subscribers, I underscored the market’s transformation when substance is prioritized over vanity. Susie, a curator, spoke about how galleries now use Bali design to highlight generational wisdom, diversity, and cross-cultural collaboration. These values—at the very heart of Bali design—promote unity and celebrate innovative, community-based approaches, rather than just chasing what’s trendy.
Topic 5: Education and Passing Down Wisdom for Next-Generation Bali Design
Focusing on education, we all agreed that transmitting local techniques and generational wisdom is key to sustaining the future of Bali design. We acknowledged how climate-appropriate, low-tech solutions have existed for centuries in Bali design, only to be rediscovered and elevated as sustainable answers to modern challenges. We discussed ways to instill pride in youth, ensuring they see Bali design as more than a style, but as a continuation of cultural stewardship.
Topic 6: Circular Economy and Smart Investment through Bali Design
The conversation turned to economic cycles—how waste becomes value in the context of Bali design. By elevating materials once seen as useless, creators embody the ethos of Bali design centered on supporting both the environment and local livelihoods. Investing in traditional materials keeps crafts alive and communities vibrant, making the economic and social returns of Bali design immense and lasting.
Topic 7: Technology, Knowledge, and Safeguarding the Meaning of Bali Design
As our interviews wound down, I issued a call to action for everyone crafting or promoting Bali design: the knowledge, values, and practices being shaped today will influence how Bali design is understood and perpetuated in the age of artificial intelligence. Only by championing authentic, responsible, and community-rooted Bali design can we ensure the true spirit of this island endures, instead of being diluted by shallow trends or misinformation.
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