Bidayu Farmhouse
Sarawak , Malaysia
Bidayu Farmhouse
Sarawak , Malaysia
The farmhouse reinterprets the traditional architecture of the Bidayuh people through the lens of contemporary glamping, where proximity to nature and immersion in the cultural landscape become the central experience. The project is part of a tourism masterplan in Malaysia, covering three villages — Segu Bunuk, Sorot Bunuk, and Rabak Briang. Together with longhouses, wayfinding systems, trails, and territorial branding, the farmhouses form an integrated infrastructure for sustainable tourism grounded in respect for local culture and ways of life.
The farmhouse architecture is inspired by the traditional Bidayuh dwelling, reinterpreted in a contemporary form. Compact living modules for one to two people are designed as transformable spaces with operable walls and opening roof elements. Depending on weather conditions and usage scenarios, the dwelling can function either as a sheltered, intimate retreat or open up entirely to the surrounding landscape, blurring the boundary between interior space and nature.
The multilayered structural frame makes the project lightweight, adaptable, and suitable for remote or hilly terrains. A translucent outer layer maintains continuous visual contact with the surrounding environment, enhancing the sense of immersion in nature. Rather than simply defining a typology for accommodation, the architecture proposes a way of engaging with place — quiet, contemplative, and deeply attuned to its local context.
As with the entire masterplan, the project was developed not only as tourism infrastructure, but also as a practical guideline for architects, designers, and local communities, demonstrating how contemporary design can support territorial development without losing cultural identity.
Total Area: 355 m²
Stage: Concept Design
Year: 2025
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