The Sacred and The Profane: Restoring Cultural Resilience in Bali

To understand Bali as perceived through the locals’ lenses, a thorough study on two fundamental traditional philosophies has been undertaken for this thesis. The Tri Angga philosophy manifests in the island’s topography and dictates the order and hierarchy of every element in both natural and built environments. And the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, which is embodied in the locals’ rituals and way of life to create harmony and balance within their everyday lives. The wisdom of this philosophy is also foundational to subak, the ancient water irrigation system that is treasured as the island’s heritage. 

In the present day, the global pandemic has brought great hardships to the Balinese. Change is on everyone’s mind, and a growing number of people are re-evaluating their sole reliance on the tourism sector. The pandemic has also given Bali a chance to reset its course. In its current state, there is an opportunity to interrogate the status quo that has been the norm for the last century in Bali. Is there an alternative model for tourism that is sustainable and resilient for both the industry and locals while also reflecting the traditional cultural value? 

The project sees the potential of the existing subaks to become the backbone of a regenerative tourism model – to support the locals’ livelihood through agriculture and tourism while also preserving the cultural heritage. As a response, the project will adopt the foundational Tri Angga concept that establishes the tripartite hierarchy within the landscape — consequently identifying three parts to construct a journey. 

Each stop is the embodiment of the three aspects of Tri Hita Kirana philosophy: 'Palemahan—Nature', 'Pawongan—Community', 'Parahyangan—Spiritual', which also reflect the progression from the profane to the sacred. Furthermore, the provision of these spaces places visibility and importance on the integrated subak rituals, which ensure the regeneration of its whole system.