Tropical Asian Style by 21 contributing writers, photography by Luca Invernizzi Tettoni

This is the first book to showcase contemporary residences throughout Southeast Asia from as far a field as Chiang Mai to Bali and from Kuala Lumpur to Java. Featured are dream houses in more than 20 different locations in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
 
Each home is designed to achieve perfect harmony with its tropical surroundings. Essential design elements of the homes are presented thematically, to show the various ways in which this harmony has been achieved – through the use of breezy verandas opening onto spacious living rooms, outdoor pavilions set amidst lush gardens, refreshing pools and elegantly decorated bedrooms with antique and ethnic furnishings.
 
Inspired by romantic visions of the East and close to the ground travel, scores of unique tropical homes have been built in exotic locations throughout Southeast Asia. They are found in places as disparate as Bali and Bandung, Phuket and Singapore. This volume takes an intimate look at more than 70 of the region’s finest contemporary residences, each representing a particular style and approach to elegant tropical living.
 
Though all the houses appearing in Tropical Asian Style are contemporary in design - incorporating  up-to-date   sanitation, electricity and high-tech kitchens - they share common features which transcend the mere fact of their tropical environment and modernity. This is because they are, to varying degrees, part of an ancient architectural tradition which reflects the history and culture of the whole region.
 
Also well-represented in the book, and an important hallmark of Southeast Asian homes, are superb objets d’art, handcrafted furnishings and handwoven fabrics and textiles from around the region. Silks, batik, terracotta tiles and lacquer ware from Thailand and Indonesia, stone garden sculptures from Bali and antique furniture from Java are only a few of the examples of the many beautiful items examined and illustrated in this book.
 
The home wares pictured are, in effect, a valuable compendium of what there is available with which to         furnish one’s home. A final section on tropical decorating gives helpful tips on selecting Asian fabrics, furniture and artifacts.
 
With an insightful text supplied by 21 distinguished authors, architects, designers and authorities on Asia’s culture heritage, Tropical Asian Style contains over 400 color photogrphs by world-renowned lensman Luca Invernizzi Tettoni.
 
The book is truly an inspiration and a sourcebook for anyone who has ever dreamed of building and owning a home in the tropics.
 
Tropical Asian Style by Periplus Editions 1999, ISBN 962-593-136-8, 224 pages.
 
Available for Rp 295,000 at Periplus Bookshops in the Bali Galleria and in the Matahari in Kuta, Warung Made in Seminyak, Ngurah Rai Airport (both the international and domestic terminals), Keris Gallery in Nusa Dua and in Gramedia Bookstores.
 
 
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