When the creators of Costa Rican retreat Tierramor wanted to build a wellness space that would harmonise with the natural surroundings, they turned to Bali-based architects and engineers Ibuku, known for their beautiful, solid and sustainable bamboo structures.
Ibuku was founded in 2010 by Elora Hardy – daughter of John and Cynthia Hardy, founders of the Green School in Bali, Indonesia. Since then, the firm has designed and built bamboo hotels, event spaces, schools and homes in Bali, the Philippines and the US.
Tierramor, its latest endeavour, is a research and retreat centre with 20 guest casitas set amongst 800 acres of reforested land in the mountains of Nosara, a yoga hub in northwest Costa Rica. It’s 2025 addition, the Maloca wellness space, will host retreats, wellness classes and gatherings.
Here, architect Lucas Schlüter talks Spa Business through the unique project.
How would you sum up the Maloca project?
It’s a multi-functional dome-shaped space for yoga, meditation and ceremonial gatherings.
Its unique bamboo structure seamlessly integrates traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge bamboo engineering, resulting in a design that’s both structurally innovative and deeply rooted in local building traditions.
It’s a reinterpretation of Costa Rica’s traditional religious structures
At the heart of this project lies a strong commitment to sustainability. Bamboo is not only the primary structural component but also a symbol of resilience and ecological harmony. The construction process emphasises low-impact techniques, ensuring minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment while maximising durability and natural beauty.
What makes it a fitting wellness space?
Maloca Dome is envisioned as an organic extension of the landscape, acting in perfect symbiosis with the natural world and the human body.
It’s been placed at the top of a hill as a monolithic shape that blends into its surroundings, highlighting the beautiful tree behind it as the main focal point of the site.
The interior features an open, adaptable floorplan allowing for dynamic spatial transformations – accommodating intimate gatherings of 10 as effortlessly as vibrant, ecstatic dance sessions with 100 participants. Thoughtfully positioned openings and architectural elements interact with views, showcasing the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
How did you approach this project?
We first focused on the views, the vegetation, the airflow and the atmosphere created by the light at different times of the day. From there, we drew inspiration from Costa Rica’s traditional ‘cosmic house’ cone-shaped buildings, reinterpreting the religious structures for a modern wellness space.
We focused on the views, vegetation, airflow and light
What challenges did you face?
The site is exposed to high wind speeds that we’re not used to in Indonesia, meaning it was important to cross-brace the building while maintaining an open, flexible space. A calm, round yoga floor was designed free of columns, allowing uninterrupted views over the hillside and creating a serene space for practice.
Working with local carpenters presented another challenge. Initially unfamiliar with bamboo, they quickly adapted, transferring their woodworking expertise to master and gain confidence in its possibilities.
Can you talk about the materials used?
We design for nature with nature. This means that our material choices directly affect the building’s shape and vice versa.
Local guadua angustifolia bamboo was the primary material, chosen for its sustainability, structural strength and lightness.
We also incorporated the iconic red soil from Tierramor’s hills into the flooring and walls, which helps guests to feel grounded and creates a deep connection to the site’s natural surroundings.
To strengthen the monolithic shape of the roof with its undulating edge, we choose to use local wood shingles that visually blend into the surrounding nature and give the building a calm, gentle appearance.
Why is bamboo suited to this project?
It was the perfect choice for Maloca since it balances the lightness of the building’s appearance with the strength required to put it in place. Bamboo also aligns with Tierramor’s vision of creating a sustainable community closely connected to nature and its heritage.
What did you learn from working on this project?
Adaptability was key. Understanding the design principles we use in Indonesia and translating them into a very different cultural context led to the creation of new forms and inspirations.
