SEKOLAH INTERNATIONAL - MONTESSORI BALI
Anna Maria Indrio Aps
Client: YAYASAN PENDIDIKAN CIU BALI (I MADE WIRANATHA)
Montessori Bali is conceived as an oasis of peace and architectural clarity amid the rapid, unplanned development of Canggu in South Bali. In an area where former rice fields are increasingly replaced by generic buildings with little regard for context or planning, the new school stands in sharp contrast. Its site is a remarkable plot shaped by a steep slope descending toward a natural stream, and upon entering the grounds, visitors immediately sense a connection to the spirit of Bali, far removed from the surrounding urban visual noise. Architecture Rooted in the Balinese Spirit Responding to the character of Balinese building traditions, the school is designed as a “village” of learning pavilions that merges modernity with tradition, drawing on the Balinese pavilion typology and its origins in the tropical climate. The main roofscape is subtly angled toward a central outdoor space, creating a social area for the children and a unified architectural language with a distinctive appearance. Natural stone, wood, and carefully proportioned steps form a material palette that grounds the project in Balinese tradition. Stone also lines surfaces inside the classrooms, framing a sense of harmony that supports children’s well-being. A continuous cornice visually anchors the taller structures, enhancing their human scale. In a visually overstimulating environment beyond the plot, the school offers a calm and coherent campus that supports focus, learning, and joy, clearly reflecting the unique Montessori pedagogical method. The School Village and the Montessori Educational Vision The layout interprets the school’s pedagogical foundations through sequences of well-ordered spaces that foster autonomy, exploration, and beauty. The masterplan is organized with three classrooms working together as part of the Montessori teaching method. Each unit includes a large covered teaching area overlooking the garden. Every classroom is a unique space, well organized around small groups and educational activities, in full compliance with the Montessori approach. This method supports children’s learning in groups of three age ranges, spanning from infants to middle school, and operates entirely without rigid, didactic teaching schemes. “The beauty and authenticity of the materials used, combined with a harmonious arrangement of the rooms, are essential elements in shaping a child's consciousness and personality. We have created a kind of ‘school citadel’ that allows children to move freely and safely, using the open areas between the buildings for different functions, ranging from play to study.” The Library: A Cultural Anchor At the heart of the school village lies the library and multipurpose building. In Bali’s humid climate, maintaining books is challenging, yet the library remains a central cultural element on the campus—not only for the children but also for the broader Bali community. Its two-storey structure accommodates both traditional books and digital reading systems, while high gables allow soft light to fill the space, evoking the atmosphere of classic library architecture.