Image Credit : Bali Interiors
Project Overview
Blending the sleek elegance of the mid-century modern architecture and contemporary tongue-in-cheek attitude, Longtime pays homage to the cozy charm of a timeless vacation home, a place where the Don Drapers of the world would take their friends on holiday for a weekend of lazy dinners and mischief.
The venue is separated into different spaces, not unlike that of a holiday house. Out the front, a garden for voyeurs to smoke and enjoy a cocktail as they watch the madness of Canggu zip by. It is a place to see and be seen. Brimming with foliage in a buff beige backdrop, mid-century motifs adorn the rendered walls as vines creep through hourglass silhouetted breeze blocks.
Entering the main dining room, you are greeted by a commanding double-height vaulted ceiling, an almost cathedral-like atmosphere is accentuated by the existing load-bearing columns being clad in stucco-rendered surfaces and cove lighting highlights the exposed brick. In this space, dining, drinking, and hedonism are worshipped.
Vintage-inspired profiles, including hourglass silhouettes hidden within many of the details of the space, create an atmosphere that is specialized for Longtime but also timeless. As day drips into night, Longtime comes alive with the mood shifting with the tide. From the elegant to the mischievous, welcome to Longtime.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Project Lead and Creative Lead: Sophie Metcalfe
Interior Designer and Project Manager: Emily Florencia
Interior Designer: Sandra Saffira
Project Brief
Longtime - a love letter to cuisine from all corners of Asia, and the beauty of the perfect dinner party, stretching from al fresco aperitifs all the way to after-dinner cocktails and spinning tunes well into the wee hours. Longtime was to cater for all pleasure-seekers who are simply looking for good food with good company.
Our clients, Pablo and Jordie, came to us with a vision to turn their heritage building in the streets of Canggu, Bali, into a bustling bar and restaurant with an extended deck and private dining room. The brief we received? It was a beautiful long lunch spent talking about memories, sights, sounds, and things they loved about their travels throughout Asia - all waiting to be put together. But that’s where the magic lies. We set it down, let it grow, trusted the process, and watched it thrive. The result? A space that pulses with the same energy and connection that Jordie, Pablo, and their incredible team brought to every step of the journey.
The Brief itself unfolded as the design did, because a particular aesthetic wasn't desired, we were given the creative control to build the story. That's where the idea of the mid-century holiday home came about.
Project Need
We had a heritage building that we needed to honor but also expand upon, creating a whole new deck and private dining room. The walnut-stained battened ceiling follows and hides the mechanical services and existing steel frame of the original heritage building, forming a dramatic zig-zag that also aids the acoustics of the space. We worked with this frame to not only honor the heritage building but also retain the dramatic height of the space. The expanded deck and private dining room then adopted a flat roof line synonymous with mid-century architectural design.
The playfulness of the brand shines through with a custom mosaic at the beer taps, subtly showcasing the motif "here for a good time". The front bar has been carefully detailed to house the subwoofer underneath the DJ decks, greeting you as you enter it becomes clear that the soundscape of Longtime is just as important as the food and interior. The hourglass motif threaded throughout Longtime's joinery details becomes a hallmark of the space. A symbol of the passage of time, it sneaks into spaces like the custom balustrade, paneling, and even table legs of the space.
The Bali scene is highly competitive, bringing its own aesthetic to the international interior design space. With Longtime, we wanted to marry in the Melbourne aesthetic to bring something unique.
Design Challenge
Digital nomads, Balinese locals, Indonesian holidaymakers, and travelers from all sides of the globe come together on the busy streets of Berawa to explore good food, drinks, boutique shopping, and island life. Longtime needed to cater to a cross-section of all these clientele.
From the way we wanted an open kitchen, to the type of customers we wanted to attract, we were tasked to design a space that supported and challenged the ever-growing competitiveness in the Bali foodie scene, but with an air of that 'quiet sophistication' synonymous with Melbourne style restaurants.
The tropical climate, characterized by high humidity, intense heat, and frequent rainfall, significantly influences the material curation in the design. Materials selected must withstand moisture to prevent warping, mold, and deterioration, making durable, water-resistant options like treated wood, tiling, and synthetic composites ideal.
Longtime was to be a day-to-night venue, catering to sun-drenched lunches all the way to late-night cocktails. During the day, natural light floods the space through vintage arched windows. As evening approaches, the lighting design shifts to a more intimate, warm white light to support the dinner service. Designed in collaboration with local lighting designers Studio Nimmersatt, we opted for an RGB scheme that allows Longtimes personality to shine after dark. Longtime's playful side comes out with a more sensual and surprising palette adorning the walls, turning a deep shade of pink after dinner.
Sustainability
We sourced everything we possibly could locally. This allowed for more sustainable outcomes not only with Longtimes carbon footprint but also for supporting local Balinese trades. Custom tiles were made just down the road by bespoke tile company Philip Lakeman. All of the mid-century wall sconces were designed by Brandworks and made locally by lighting company Piement Rouge, who also supplied specialty table lamps. Even the feature artwork seen throughout was commissioned by Balinese artist, Rizz. The interior designers discovered his works as they were browsing 'The Medium' an art gallery just around the corner from the site, and due to Bali's tight creative scene, it just so happened that he was a close friend of our client.
Whilst we wanted a true mid-century feel, all of the timbers chosen were from local timbers and stained to match the Walnut / American Oak vision. The furniture and joinery were all manufactured in Java, just one island across.
Interior Design - International Hospitality
Open to all international projects this award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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