LOMBOK, INDONESIA – When Invest Islands, Lombok’s leading real estate investment company, started planning its development Gran Melia Lombokthe new five-star resort on the south coast of the island, he set out to create a resort so extraordinary that it would elevate Lombok’s travel and hospitality industry to new heights.

In pursuit of this goal, the company’s co-founders, Kevin Deisser and Jack Brown, discovered breathtaking seaside and hillside terrain at Torok Bay, a sheltered, crescent-shaped stretch of sand overlooking the Indian Ocean and framed by emerald headlands and rolling rice paddies. This beautiful setting provided a beautiful blank canvas on which to produce an architectural work of art.

For the main architect of the project, charlie hearn, director of Bali-based Inspiral Architecture & Design Studios, the impact of Gran Meliá Lombok‘s location was instantaneous. Gazing at this coastal scene for the first time, he was immediately struck by the blissful serenity of the area and the endless vistas.

“The first thing I felt was that it was a “millionaire’s point of view”. It was absolutely spectacular with layers of different colors disappearing into the distance. It was very special,Hearn revealed.

This exquisite natural landscape inspired the design of Gran Meliá Lombok. Hearn and his team at Inspiral felt responsible for creating a resort that blended seamlessly into the environment. The lines of the landscape are reflected in the flowing form of the villas and resort buildings, which roll and curve with the contours of the hills. Natural materials such as bamboo, reclaimed wood and different types of stone have been adopted throughout, with 75% of building materials sourced from Lombok and nothing imported from outside Indonesia.

Local influences from Lombok also played an important role in the design philosophy. Inspiral strove to deliver a project that looked and felt completely authentic, while being highly distinctive.

“The master plan was to create a series of individual villages, rather than buildings being carbon copies of each other. Different parts of Indonesia have their own unique architectural styles, so we have tried to incorporate elements from these. Not so much in terms of the appearance of the buildings themselves – we didn’t want to create a pastiche – but more in terms of the craftsmanship techniques, details and finishes,” Hearn explained.

As a result, clients and investors can choose from a collection of beautiful hillside duplexes and one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, all fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, luxurious interiors and private swimming pools. Distinctive concepts include the KAYMA Moroccan tented suites, the minimalist AURORA villas, the Bauhaus-style LA RESIDENZA residences and the company’s eco-luxury INSPIRAL villas, all of which are nestled among palm trees and frame “millionaire views” from panoramic windows and outdoor living areas. .

As with every project co-created by Invest Islands and Inspiral, Gran Meliá Lombok will have a low carbon footprint. In addition to using sustainable building materials, the design will harness sunlight and sea breezes to help heat and cool the property, and rainwater will be harvested throughout the complex. By using this approach, Hearn said he wanted to “set a benchmark” for Lombok’s development.

“We want to set the standard and help improve the quality of development on the island. Lombok will have more tourism and development in the coming years, so it is important to do this in a way that is sustainable and respectful of the local culture and environment. This is one of the reasons I love working with Invest Islands; they create foundations, build schools, carry out many environmental projects and reinvest a lot in their communities. I think it’s fantastic,” Hearn concluded.

“It is always wonderful to work with Inspiral as they share our vision of creating exceptional properties sensitive to their destinations. This is exactly what we aspire to and it is great to see this architectural philosophy come to life at the Gran Meliá Lombok Blending the best elements of Indonesian heritage with 21st century modernity, our owners and guests will enjoy luxury and serenity in a truly unique setting on the south coast of Lombok. said Jack Brown, co-founder of Invest Islands.

Gran Meliá Lombok has already been named “Best Upcoming Hotel Development” in Indonesia and “Best Hotel Development” in Asia at the PropertyGuru Property Awards. Currently under construction, the station should open its doors at the end of 2024.