Temple Talk - Collective design & build project in Bali

Architects Huzefah Haroon, Francisco Susmel and artist Elise Hoebeke reflect on the process of collectively designing and building a temple at centre for culture and learning, Samong Haven in Bali.

This conversation took place as part of PRAKSIS's 26th residency, "Bricking It", a month spent learning, discussing, designing and building around brick as a sustainable medium. The residency was held in 2024 on-site at Samong Haven in Bali, and organsied with Andy Rahman and Don Lawrence. 

This is part of a series of five conversations between participants.  Three of the episodes focus on the design and construction of key structures: a kitchen and grill area, a toilet facility, and a house temple. These discussions delve into both the practicalities of building with brick and the collaborative spirit that guided each project’s development. Complementing these are two audio episodes for which residents respond to the prompt: “What comes to mind when you think about brick?” Through this introduction exercise, they explore their associations with the material—ranging from its texture and history to its symbolic and cultural significance—setting the tone for the communal dialogue that followed.