Listening Before Building: Pablo Luna Studio

In a world where design often chases trends and grand gestures, Pablo Luna Studio offers something rare and essential: reverence. Pablo is one of those rare designers who builds like the first humans did — close to the earth, guided by intuition, and in deep dialogue with the materials. By Aishwarya Kulkarni

Pablo Luna Studio’s work with bamboo isn’t about novelty; it’s about listening. To the land. To the elements. To what already exists. He reminds us that architecture can still be sacred, such that architecture can be a spectacle that draws us in — and a space that holds us close. That we can build not for attention, but for connection. And in doing so, he shows us that the most radical thing a designer can do today is to slow down, be present, and build with care. And in doing so, he reminds us that to build is also to belong.

Aishwarya Kulkarni engages in an inspiring conversation with Pablo Luna, Founder of Pablo Luna Studio in Bali, as he speaks about his journey, process, philosophy, and the technical knowledge behind natural building practices.

SCALE: How did your journey with bamboo architecture begin? Was it something you always envisioned?

Pablo: Honestly, bamboo found me. After graduating from university in New York, my first job brought me to Bali, where I worked at a hotel called Bambu Indah. The owners were deeply invested in sustainability and natural building, and that experience opened my eyes. I learned that it was possible to live in harmony with the elements, which inspired me to think of architecture not as a profession, but as a way of life. I believe that every place has its own magic. If we learn to tune into what already exists in a space — its traditions, ecology, people — there’s incredible wisdom embedded in that, and once I embraced it, it was truly humbling and joyful. After a year and a half, I realized the journey was far from over – and that’s when I knew I had to keep going deeper.

SCALE: When did the Pablo Luna Studio take shape?

Pablo: It happened very organically. Initially, I never planned to have a studio. I was freelancing, working on one project at a time. Each project would take approximately one and a half years from concept to completion. That full immersion helped me understand not just design but also construction and interiors.

Eventually, one project led to another, and over time, I had a portfolio and began building a team. It wasn’t about scaling up—it was about taking the next natural step. That’s how the Pablo Luna Studio was formed.

SCALE: Your structures seem deeply inspired by nature. Would you call your process biomimicry?

Pablo: We don’t label it biomimicry. For us, the form is not the starting point. Our design begins with a deep study of the land. We conduct thorough land studies – measuring wind, rain, soil, trees, species, and understanding how local communities engage with the land. Only after understanding the dynamics of the place do we begin designing. Often, clients come with certain expectations, when the land and context might be telling us otherwise. That is why the end result often becomes something more aligned with the land’s energy.

Take, for instance, the Manta Yoga Shala at Nusa Penida. The structure is placed at a natural focal point of the land. The form, inspired by the manta ray, opens to the ocean while gently cocooning the back to protect yoga practitioners.

Privacy and openness were both equally important, accompanied with a sense of protection, which is essential for vulnerable yoga practices. These choices emerged from intuition and listening, not from a desire to mimic nature. 

SCALE: Does bamboo, with its structural limitations, limit your architectural expression?

Pablo: Not at all! Bamboo allows you to do everything—if you understand it. It has boundaries, yes, but we’ve never had a case where bamboo couldn’t deliver what we imagined.

We use techniques like Rup-Rup, where the bamboo is cut at intervals and bundled, allowing us to create strong, flexible arches. Straight columns are usually spaced 3 to 3.5 meters apart, and the arches can go up to six meters, or more, if supported by clever roof structures or integrated towers.

Beyond bundling, we use steel trusses where needed, and we also reinforce bamboo creatively. If we want a wider span, we may add roof beams, towers, or structural systems that distribute the load. We don’t blindly follow the rules, but bend them responsibly. Our roof surfaces often employ bamboo splits to create grid shells. These interlocking 2×4 cm splits are excellent for double curvatures and structural stability.

As for the roofing material, 95% of our projects use wooden shingles—either ironwood or teak. These tiles are thin, slightly flexible, and perfect for curvaceous roofs. They last over 25 years and weather beautifully. Thatch is another option here, but it requires a steep 45-degree slope for proper drainage and doesn’t lend itself well to curvy forms. Bamboo shingles exist too, but they last only about 5 years — not sustainable in the long run. Bamboo, in fact, needs to be protected from the sun, rain, and moisture. So wood tiles have become our go-to.

That said, the biggest area for innovation in our practice right now is roofing. We’re exploring new options like recycled plastic tiles.

To achieve our design vision, we experiment with, and mix different building materials too—steel for large spans, bolts and bamboo pins for joinery, even concrete in the foundation to ensure longevity. The goal is to respect the strengths of each material while honoring bamboo’s spirit. We’re also exploring innovations, like recycled plastic tiles, but there are concerns about emissions. The roofing system is where we feel the greatest potential for innovation right now.

SCALE: What materials work best with bamboo in joinery?

Pablo: We typically work with bamboo-to-bamboo using pins, or metal rods and bolts for strength. For the foundation, bamboo is set into concrete pedestals.

About 60-80 cm of bamboo goes into a poured concrete base, often connected with steel rods. Larger spans sometimes use metal poles for support. We also teach traditional joinery techniques in our masterclasses. There’s a whole vocabulary of bamboo construction that balances precision with craft.

Every material has strengths and weaknesses. We respect bamboo, but we also recognize when to introduce steel, wood, or other elements. The goal is not to hero-worship one material, but to create buildings in deep alignment with nature and purpose.

SCALE: Tell us about the Leaf Tiny Cabin—a personal favorite.

Pablo: The Leaf Tiny Cabin is a project that is very dear to my heart. It was built in Chile with a company called Technofast, which has Latin America’s most sustainable modular housing factory. I approached them with a design idea, and while they were doing standard rectangular units, I believed we could create something more poetic.

The Leaf Tiny Cabin is based on one elegant gesture. Within their constraints—24.5 sqm, modular, transportable—we designed a curving form using wood and steel. It brought spaciousness and emotion to a small space. The design came first from the body, from human experience, not complexity.

SCALE: What are your methods for protecting bamboo in humid climates like Bali?

Pablo: Bamboo must be harvested at the right age – 3.5 to 4.5 years. Then it undergoes a standard borax and boric acid treatment: 4.3% borax, 1% boric acid, and 96% water. This removes sugars that attract pests. For moisture, we focus on good ventilation, raised foundations, and termite barriers around the base. Bamboo, like any natural material, demands thoughtfulness in detail.

SCALE: How do you engage with local communities where you build?

Pablo: Engaging with the local community is central to our process. Every design begins with participatory dialogue. We speak to the community, ask what matters, and understand their traditions. In Bali, that includes asking permission from the ancestors of the land.

SCALE: With rushing urbanisation, do you think bamboo can play a role in urban housing?

Pablo: In Bali, yes. Bamboo is already part of life here—in ceremonies, in homes. Everyone knows how to work with it. So it’s not just a material—it’s cultural knowledge. But in any region, decisions must come from context and local craft, not from the material alone. Architecture must evolve like families evolve—adaptive, hands-on, and human.

SCALE: What is your mantra for life?

Pablo: We make mistakes. But every moment is a chance to reset—to let go of stories, to realign. That doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility. In fact, responsibility gives us freedom.

When we let go of limiting constructs, we meet life more openly. That’s true in architecture too—the land teaches us. When we listen deeply, architecture becomes a conversation, not an imposition. Before you design architecture, study everything that is not architecture. Understand the ecology, the neighbors, the long view. And then, something meaningful might emerge.

Main Image: Pablo Luna, the founder of Pablo Luna Studio.

All Images Courtesy Pablo Luna Studio