villa boë by alexis dornier unfolds vertically along indonesia's coast

alexis dornier builds with the hillside

Villa Boë, designed by Alexis Dornier, occupies a steep hillside plot in the Tampah Hills development on Lombok, Indonesia. Its position at one of the highest points of the site required a vertical approach to program and form, resulting in a house that merges into the terrain while retaining a strong architectural presence.

The project unfolds as a sequence of stacked volumes that follow the contours of the slope. Entry and garage spaces are located low on the site, with shared living areas stepping upward from there. Higher still, two separate sleeping wings branch off, each intended for a family. At the very top, a circular platform offers a dedicated place for yoga and contemplation, framing views of the ocean and the surrounding hills.

Villa Boë is located along a steep hillside in Lombok, Indonesia | images © KIE

villa boë follows the coastal slope

The floor plan is organized around concentric circles and radial divisions. This geometry establishes the orientation of each roof and defines the placement of volumes relative to one another. Instead of appearing as a simple stack, the house reads as a terraced extension of the hillside, its levels flowing upward as a continuous topography.

For the German architect, whose studios are based in Berlin and Bali, the goal was to let the building stand as a measured response to the vastness of the coastal site. The structure’s gestures are composed, designed to settle humbly into the hillside. The pool exemplifies this approach, as it is integrated into the living sequence rather than placed apart, it moves with the landscape through terraced levels and gradual transitions.

the house unfolds vertically with its entrance at the base

a house as a frame

Villa Boë employs a restrained set of materials suited to the climate. Teak wood lines ceilings and soffits, off-white walls keep the interiors bright, and white Palimanan stone anchors the floors. These elements establish a balance between durability, simplicity, and connection to place.

Some rooflines hint at the influence of iconic mid-century figures such as John Lautner, whose work emphasized shaping outlooks and embedding the architecture in its site. At Lombok, the roofs serve as frames for the surrounding landscape. This way, the house becomes a vantage point as much as a dwelling, built to celebrate the horizon beyond.

communal spaces are arranged on stepped levels above the entry