This German-born architectural designer spent more than 10 years designing homes in Bali

Like a spaceship landing in the middle of the jungle, a striking figure eight-shaped building perches on a slope amid verdant greenery in Bali. This double loop-shaped house, completed in 2023, is the latest masterpiece by architectural designer Alexis Dornier.

Called The Loop, Dornier’s wanted to create two interconnected spirals that evoke the continuous flow of nature.

“We started to look for diagrams that could represent a very dynamic shape and form,” said Dornier, who has worked on multiple homes in Bali. He decided on the figure eight as it “symbolises continuity and eternity”.

The distinctive structure stems from two spiral staircases that form the defining feature of the house. “They started building both of the spiral stairs up at the same time and when the last bits and pieces came together to form that connection, that was a real highlight,” said Dornier of this moment of architectural magic.

The layout within the house mirrors the daily rhythm of life. One would sleep, wake up, have breakfast, work out and then hang out by the pool – all these steps are manifested through the building's shape, Dornier elaborated.

“We not only have the figure eight on a two-dimensional plane, but we actually have it in three dimensions so you can walk along the entire roof that then leads into the living room,” he continued. “This house tends to be more of a sculpture in which you can live in.”

Descending through the spirals reveals more hidden sanctuaries beneath its canopy. This includes a space to practice meditation and yoga, two capacious bedrooms and a ‘man-cave’ for the music-loving homeowner. The interior design of the house is kept neutral and features locally sourced materials like wood and stone. To add another layer of discovery, the space has also been strategically designed so that each room offers sweeping views of the jungle and valley beyond.

“The magic of the place is already there, we have to just frame it,” said Dornier, who was born in Germany. He studied architecture at the Berlin University of the Arts before relocating to New York City for work.

In 2013, he moved to Bali to help a friend with a project and was captivated by the way of life on this beautiful Indonesian island. “I got to this part of the world and was very surprised by what it is like to live in a very different context – the atmosphere, the vibe, the people and the opportunities,” he said.

So, at the age of 32, he began establishing a design practice in Bali by doing consulting work for local building and architectural projects. Since then, he has worked on 26 residential projects in Bali.

“I consider myself a very lucky person as I have found how I want to contribute to this amazing environment that motivates me,” he said. “Whenever my mind gets too narrowly focused on things, I try to just look around and see how people do it – how they flow through their traditions, their love for family, their love for traditional clothing, what they emphasise on, their rituals, and their perceptions about happiness. It is not just about having a fast-paced lifestyle.”

Dornier takes pleasure in revisiting old projects to see how the properties have evolved and grown into their environments over time. One of his favourites is The Bond, a five-bedroom house completed in 2020. It boasts two living spaces, a spa as well as an infinity pool that offers unparalleled views of its lush surroundings.

“We were seeking to make something that makes the most minimal contribution to the silhouette of the landscape. The other day I was walking and looking at the house from the rice field and it was almost not visible. It was very much camouflaged in the jungle; when you are in the house, you have essentially immersed yourself into the forest,” he observed.

The cross-shaped structure was chosen to represent the intersection of lives where people meet one another. This creates an atmosphere, almost like a magnetic sort of event is happening, Dornier elaborated. The philosophy of this specific structure is a vessel to create spaces that nurture bonding experiences where people can have memories that they can take away, he continued.

Another property that holds close to his heart is The Origami, a five-bedroom house – his first residential project in Bali. As the name implies, the roof has intricate folds, giving it the appearance of a Japanese origami structure.

Dornier said: “This project marks a personal highlight for me because I have always loved the pure aesthetics of shelters featuring flowing, flamboyant roofs. This whole house is essentially a big canopy for being under the rain and under the sun, but you feel protected under the folded umbrella-like structure.”

Even in this debut Balinese project, his admiration for local culture can be seen throughout the property. The living room is essentially designed as a pavilion where the other components of the building are plugged into and connected with, Dornier said. He went on to explain how this house draws on the local culture of fostering community.

A decade of living in Bali later, his affinity for the Island of Gods is showing no signs of waning. He said: “The aspects I love most about Bali is the culture of the people here. I see them very much rooted and focused on their land and in tradition, yet at the same time they are so open to foreigners. It is amazing, I love that about this place.”