Architecture News

In a groundbreaking collaboration, OMA and Potato Head have unveiled the Good Times General Store in Bali, a pioneering retail concept that transcends traditional shopping. Situated within the vibrant Desa Potato Head in Seminyak, Indonesia, this innovative space functions not merely as a store but as a dynamic craft hub. It seamlessly integrates locally made Indonesian products, contemporary fashion, bespoke furniture, and interactive workshops, inviting visitors to delve into the entire lifecycle of objects—from their origins and materials to their creation and eventual repurposing. This initiative fundamentally redefines the consumer experience, shifting focus from simple acquisition to a deeper understanding and appreciation of craftsmanship and sustainability.

The architectural design of the Good Times General Store mirrors its philosophical underpinnings. Developed by OMA in partnership with Ade Herkarisma, Potato Head's Group Head of Architecture and Development, the building itself is a testament to Balinese construction heritage and circular design principles. It features a traditional alang-alang thatch facade, rammed-earth walls crafted from local clay, salvaged timber, and terrazzo flooring embedded with recycled bamboo offcuts. The interior is thoughtfully organized by fragmented earthen blocks, which subtly delineate different functional zones while maintaining a fluid, interconnected feel. This approach results in a richly tactile environment where the inherent beauty and story of the materials are celebrated, eliminating the need for superficial embellishments.

The interior layout, conceived by OMA, is structured into five interconnected bays, each illustrating a distinct phase in an object's journey. This spatial arrangement masterfully blends retail, artisanal production, and material experimentation. The initial bay presents a curated selection of artisan souvenirs, literature, music, and lifestyle items from independent creators. The subsequent bay highlights Potato Head's own clothing and travel collections, drawing inspiration from Bali's unique culture. The third bay is dedicated to Max Lamb's 'Wasted' collection, which ingeniously transforms discarded plastics and other waste into functional furniture and homeware. These sections collectively showcase a spectrum of design philosophies, from time-honored Indonesian craftsmanship to cutting-edge material reuse innovations.

The final two bays shift the visitor's focus from finished goods to the intricate processes behind them. One bay houses a fully operational natural dye studio, where pigments are extracted from plants and food waste sourced from Desa Potato Head. Here, guests are encouraged to engage in hands-on activities like dyeing, painting, and pattern-making. Adjacent to this, a workshop space is anchored by a striking wall of shredded HDPE plastic, collected from various sources across Bali and Java. This area is dedicated to plastic molding and material experimentation, with future plans to expand the program to include ateliers for weaving, upcycling, and sewing by 2027, further enriching the immersive experience.

Beyond its retail offerings, the Good Times General Store is deeply integrated with Potato Head's extensive sustainability infrastructure. This includes the Waste Lab, a facility dedicated to researching and repurposing discarded materials, and the 'Follow the Waste Tour,' which educates visitors on resource flow within the resort. The building's architecture itself serves as a living example of sustainable design, demonstrating how locally sourced and reclaimed materials can shape contemporary spaces. Ronald Akili, founder of Potato Head, emphasizes that retail can be more than a mere transaction; it's an opportunity to understand the origins, creation, and potential future of every object. This project marks a continuation of OMA's long-standing collaboration with Potato Head, which has previously yielded spaces like the hotel and Klymax Discotheque within Desa. However, this latest endeavor pivots from hospitality and entertainment to fostering a conscious relationship between individuals and their consumption habits. By uniting craft, recycling, and public engagement within a single architectural framework, the Good Times General Store offers a transformative shopping experience, where visitors might depart not just with a unique item, but with a newfound skill or a deeper appreciation for waste reduction. The true value lies not in the shopping bag, but in the enriched understanding and connection forged.

Le Rosey, a renowned Swiss boarding school, has recently unveiled a series of revitalized learning environments, marking a significant departure from conventional educational settings. These newly designed rooms evoke a sense of childhood wonder, contrasting sharply with the often uninspired and uniform classrooms prevalent in many educational institutions. The school's commitment to progressive learning methods, already a hallmark of its philosophy, is further underscored by this architectural transformation.

This ambitious initiative is centered within Le Rosey's 'Impact Space,' a dedicated area conceived to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, encourage collaborative learning, and inspire students to make impactful contributions globally. Collaborating with Snøhetta and Barth, the school has meticulously crafted six distinct spaces, each designed with a unique pedagogical focus. These immersive environments, characterized by their individual personalities, invite students to engage in exploration, introspection, and dialogue through carefully selected color palettes, textures, and furniture arrangements. The 'Knowledge Room,' for instance, draws inspiration from a forest, promoting self-directed discovery with its tree-like columns, integrated bookshelves, and seating. The 'Actis Virtus Room' reinterprets the Harkness method, facilitating discussion and equal participation around a large oval table with a distinctive overhead structure. Other innovative spaces include the 'Rooted in Peace Room,' a tranquil area inspired by Japanese tea houses for contemplation; the 'Reflection Room,' featuring mirrored surfaces to encourage deeper perception; the 'Curiosity Room,' which utilizes a dynamic S-shaped curtain system for flexible privacy; and the 'Unafraid to Be Room,' an intimate amphitheater designed for public speaking practice.

Bringing these visionary concepts to fruition presented considerable architectural and engineering challenges, particularly given the irregular structural layouts of the original spaces. Barth played a crucial role in manufacturing and installing the custom joinery, working closely with Snøhetta to overcome technical hurdles and realize the intricate designs. Each room demanded bespoke solutions, such as creating visually light yet structurally robust surfaces in the Knowledge Room, designing suspended chairs for the Actis Virtus Room, and orchestrating complex technical coordination to support heavy fabric from minimal attachment points in the Curiosity Room. The most demanding aspect was the 'Unafraid to Be Room,' where the goal was to create a seamless, immersive orange landscape, requiring invisible material transitions and concealed construction elements. Through this collaborative effort, a continuous and flowing surface was achieved, demonstrating how innovative design and lateral thinking were integral to transforming abstract ideas into tangible, inspiring educational spaces. This project transcends the traditional classroom model, creating environments that are not merely spaces for learning but catalysts for shaping the creative minds of future generations.

This innovative approach to educational architecture exemplifies a forward-thinking vision where learning environments are dynamic, inspiring, and tailored to cultivate essential skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. By moving beyond conventional designs, Le Rosey demonstrates a commitment to fostering a generation of learners who are not only knowledgeable but also equipped to contribute positively and meaningfully to the world around them.