Architecture in Bali – a brief history, with Dr. I Nyoman Gede Maha Putra

In speaking with artist and designer Breanne Johnson and architect Don Lawrence, Dr. I Nyoman Gede Maha Putra traces the development of architecture and culture in Bali, outlining the mechanisms and impact of colonization on the island, and offering his perspective on how the island should move forwards. 

This conversation took place as part of PRAKSIS's 26th residency, "Bricking It", a month spent learning, discussing, designing and building around brick as a sustainable medium. The questions were developed collectively between the residency participants. The residency was held in 2024 on-site at Samong Haven in Bali, and organsied with Andy Rahman and Don Lawrence. Find out more here: https://www.praksisoslo.org/residencieslist/r26-bricking-it

About Dr. I Nyoman Gede Maha Putra
Nyoman Gede Maha Putra lives in Bali and lectures in the Architecture Department of Universitas Warmadewa, where he is Senior Researcher at Warmadewa Research Centre. He focuses on architecture and urban design, with particular focus on issues of space formation and identity, and the traditional versus the modern within the history of architecture. His research has probed global tourism’s transformation of traditional settlements in Bali and identifies the need for public policy with a long-term vision to manage such transformations.