Balai Hignaw

The story

Who says you need a plane ticket to experience a little bit of Bali?

For the owners of Balai Hignaw, the idea was to turn their property in Bataan into something worth escaping to. A private tropical resort where families and friends could leave their usual routines behind, enjoy some well-deserved downtime, and perhaps stay for another night.

And we wanted to make sure there was something for everyone.

At the center of the experience is a swimming pool, accompanied by a separate pool for the little ones. Around it, guests can move between relaxing cabanas, a poolside bar, an open pavilion, and spaces for outdoor dining and grilling. When the sun goes down, the bonfire area offers another reason to stay outside just a little longer.

Inside the main structure, comfortable bedrooms and shared living spaces provide a place to recharge between activities. There's even a billiards area for those who prefer a little friendly competition over another dip in the pool.

Architecturally, we took inspiration from the relaxed atmosphere of Bali's tropical retreats, combining contemporary forms with warm finishes and thoughtfully detailed screens.

One of the building's defining features is its horizontal exterior louvers. Made from metal with a wood-like finish, these elements wrap around the upper-floor balcony, giving the façade a distinctive layered appearance. Inside, a patterned partition made from real wood brings that same design character into the stairwell, adding warmth and texture to the space.

Together, these details create a tropical atmosphere without losing the clean, contemporary character of the architecture.

From the overall site planning to the architectural details and interiors, Crisostomo Architects developed the design for what has since become a completed and operating private resort.

After all, a memorable getaway isn't just about having a beautiful place to stay. It's about having plenty of reasons to enjoy every moment you're there.

And at Balai Hignaw, there's always something to do, or absolutely nothing, if that's the plan.