Circular bamboo roof harvests rainwater at Juna Ubud Restaurant

A circular bamboo roof designed to collect rainwater defines Juna Ubud Restaurant, a new dining destination in Bali by Pablo Luna Studio.

Positioned along Jalan Arjuna in Ubud, the elevated restaurant overlooks a river valley and rice fields to the west, using climate-responsive design and vernacular construction techniques to shape a contemporary bamboo structure.

GALLERY  

The project is organised around a circular plan that establishes a clear human scale within its built-up context.

At its centre is an open courtyard that introduces daylight and air into the dining space while creating what the architects describe as a moment of relief within the interior. Dining areas are arranged around this opening, with views directed both inward and outward toward the surrounding landscape.

Bamboo forms the primary structure, assembled through a combination of arches and an A-frame system that defines the enclosure. This structural logic supports a stepped roof profile that channels rainwater toward a central collection point. Rather than converging to a single apex, the roof gradually steps inward. This decision reduces overall height and prevents the interior from feeling enclosed while maintaining an efficient water management strategy.

At the centre of the roof, a skylight constructed from SolarTuff panels sits within a steel frame finished to visually integrate with the bamboo structure. The upper roof surface is clad in ulin wood shingles crafted by local artisans, reinforcing the project’s reliance on regional materials and craftsmanship.

Passive environmental strategies play a key role in the building’s performance. The open plan and ventilated roof gap encourage continuous airflow, allowing hot air to rise and escape naturally. The central courtyard improves daylight penetration and supports cross ventilation across the dining areas. A shallow pond, dense planting and carefully positioned air inlets further assist with cooling, reducing reliance on mechanical systems in Bali’s tropical climate.

Water infrastructure is also integrated into the design. A deep well supplies water that is stored in elevated tanks, allowing gravity-fed distribution throughout the building and reducing energy demand associated with pumping.

Through its structural clarity and climate-responsive planning, Pablo Luna Studio’s Juna Ubud Restaurant demonstrates how contemporary bamboo architecture can reinterpret vernacular knowledge while addressing sustainability, comfort and the experiential qualities of dining in the landscape.

Images by Pablo Luna Studio via Designboom

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