Designing a villa in Bali is exciting, and it can also feel opaque from the outside. Who does what? When do permits come in? When should the interior designer join? This guide walks through the villa design process step by step, the way we run it with our clients, so you know what to expect before the first line is drawn.
The process at a glance
| Stage | What happens | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Brief and site | Goals, budget, site visit, land checks | Before design starts |
| 2. Concept design | Layout options, massing, mood and 3D | About 3–4 months in total, from concept to coordinated drawings |
| 3. Design development | Plans, elevations, sections, exterior finishes | |
| 4. Coordination | Structure, MEP and other consultants | |
| 5. Permits | PBG submitted through SIMBG | Often 1–2 months, longer in sensitive zones |
| 6. Interior design | Starts during design development | Runs in parallel |
| 7. Construction | Contractor builds, design team follows | Depends on size and scope |
| 8. Fit-out and styling | Procurement, installation, handover, SLF | Final weeks of the build |
Timings are indicative ranges from Bali practice and published sources; every site and brief is different.
1. Brief and site: start with how you will live
Before plans, we talk about people. Is this a family home, a holiday base, a rental investment, or a mix? How many bedrooms, how do you entertain, what matters more: privacy or views, a big kitchen or a bigger pool? We also agree a realistic budget range early, because it shapes every decision that follows.
Then we visit the land. Orientation, sun path, prevailing breeze, neighbours, slope, existing trees and access all influence the design far more than any style reference. In parallel, confirm the legal basics with your notary or legal advisor: land title, the zoning and land-use conformity for the parcel, and setbacks. A beautiful concept on the wrong zoning is a costly detour.
2. Concept design: the big decisions
Concept design is where the villa takes shape: how the buildings sit on the site, how inside and outside connect, where the pool, living areas and bedrooms go, and how the spaces flow. We develop layout options, the overall massing, material and mood references, and 3D views so you can see the atmosphere, not just the plan.
This is the cheapest moment to change your mind. Moving a wall on paper costs an afternoon; moving it on site costs weeks.
3. Design development: from idea to drawings
Once the concept is approved, it becomes a precise set of architectural drawings: floor plans, elevations, sections, exterior finishes and a lighting positioning plan, supported by 3D modelling and perspectives. This is the package that consultants, permit reviewers and contractors work from.
4. Coordination with engineers and consultants
A villa is also structure, plumbing, electrical and drainage. Structural and MEP engineering are specialist scopes, usually carried out by engineers alongside the architect. Our role is to coordinate the design with them so the beams, ducts and services support the architecture instead of fighting it. Clear coordination at this stage prevents the classic site surprises: a beam through a ceiling detail, or a pipe where the cabinetry should go.
5. Permits: PBG before you build
In Indonesia, construction needs a building approval, the PBG (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung), applied for through the government’s SIMBG system. The submission typically combines land documents, the site plan, architectural drawings, building data, and structural and MEP documents from the engineers. For a complete, straightforward villa application, review commonly takes around one to two months, and can take longer in sensitive zones or if documents need revising.
After construction, the building needs an SLF (Sertifikat Laik Fungsi), which confirms it is fit for its approved use. Permit documentation and its submission are usually handled with a licensed consultant or your legal team; we provide and coordinate the architectural information they need.
6. Bring the interior in early
A common and costly mistake is starting the interior once the walls are up. By then, the positions of sockets, lighting points, plumbing, niches and built-in joinery are already fixed, and the interior has to work around them.
When architecture and interior are designed by the same team, they develop together: cabinetry is drawn with the walls, lighting is planned with the ceilings, and furniture layouts inform where every power point goes. It is one of the main reasons clients choose a studio that offers both. See how our villa interior design service works alongside architectural design.
7. Construction: keeping the design intent
With permits in place, your contractor builds from the drawings, usually under a project manager or site supervisor who manages quality, schedule and cost day to day. The design team should stay involved to answer questions, review samples and make sure what is built matches what was designed. Small decisions on site, a finish, a junction, a light position, add up to the difference between a good villa and a remarkable one.
8. Fit-out, styling and handover
The last stage is where the villa becomes a home: furniture, lighting, textiles, art and plants are sourced, produced, checked and installed. Through our procurement service we coordinate suppliers and artisans, quality control and logistics, then style every room before handover. Once the building is complete, the SLF confirms it is ready for use.
Five ways to keep your villa project on track
- Check the land before you design. Zoning, setbacks and title first; then the concept.
- Agree the budget range at the start. It is the most useful design constraint you can give.
- Freeze the layout before permits. Changes after submission cost time and fees.
- Start the interior during design development, not after construction.
- Keep one design voice through construction. Someone needs to protect the design intent on site.
Choosing the right partner is the first step. Our guide on how to choose an architect in Bali covers what to ask, and what to consider before designing your Bali villa interior helps you prepare the interior brief. To see the result of this process, explore Villa Rimba, Villa Kajano and Maison Naia, or tell us about your land and your plans.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to design a villa in Bali?
From concept to coordinated construction drawings, allow around three to four months for a typical villa. Larger or more complex projects, and briefs that change along the way, take longer. Permits and construction follow after that.
What is a PBG and do I need one to build a villa?
Yes. The PBG (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung) is Indonesia’s building approval and is required before construction starts. It is applied for through the SIMBG system with land documents and the architectural, structural and MEP drawings. After construction, the SLF certifies the building is fit for use.
When should I involve an interior designer?
During design development, before construction drawings are final. That is when lighting, power, plumbing positions and built-in joinery can still be planned around the interior instead of worked around later.
Can one studio design both the architecture and the interior?
Yes. Paz Studio offers architectural design, interior design, procurement and styling, so the villa can be designed as one coherent project from the first sketch to the final styled room. Structural and MEP engineering and permit submissions are specialist scopes carried out by engineers and permit consultants, coordinated with the design.