Tucked away in the lush green landscapes of Kecamatan Megamendung, Indonesia, Kencana Valley is a contemporary wedding venue that highlights a poetic interplay between architecture, nature, and tradition. K-Thengono Design Studio was tasked with designing the Kencana Valley wedding compound, comprising a modest chapel, a family villa, a bridal villa, a service building, and a bridge.
The chapel’s design approach draws inspiration from the distinctive curved rooflines of Sundanese architecture, native to the Bogor region where the compound is located. Its organic-shaped roof, crafted from glulam arches and clad in meranti and sirap ulin wood, frames picturesque views of Mount Pangrango, creating an idyllic backdrop for wedding ceremonies.
Inside, natural light filters through the delicate wooden framework, casting soft patterns across the floor and highlighting the intricate details of the structure. The transparency and openness of the design helps to create a spiritual connection with the outdoors. Further, the sense of openness enhances the ceremonial experience, making every wedding held here feel like a seamless extension of the valley itself.
According to the architects, the venue reimagines the wedding experience by integrating modern architecture with the natural beauty of its surroundings. Embracing the lush green landscapes of Kecamatan Megamendung, every structure within the compound echoes the rich heritage of Sundanese craftsmanship while embracing the refined simplicity of modern architecture.
Reflecting the traditional architecture, the 3-bedroom family villa was elevated above the ground, adapting to the site’s hilly terrain and preserving the land’s natural features. The wooden beams, made of locally sourced aliwowos wood known for their strength, have been strategically arranged using handcrafted joints in a grid pattern of 3.5-by-3.5 meters and left exposed as part of the interiors.
Entering the villa, guests are welcomed by a glass-walled living area, offering expansive views of the surroundings. Meanwhile, woven rattan panels shield the bedroom and service area for privacy. Adorned with nyatoh wood panels for walls and floors, the villa’s interiors also feature andesite accents and a pool lined with natural stone from Sukabumi. Custom-made carved teak cabinets, brass bathroom fittings, and other wooden details add a luxurious touch to the villa’s natural aesthetic.
According to the architects, the material palette inside the villa continues the dialogue between nature and luxury. Nyatoh wood, used for walls and flooring, brings an earthy richness, while custom-carved teak cabinets and brass bathroom fixtures subtly elevate the space. Overall, these details ensure that while the villa remains deeply rooted in vernacular design, it also exudes quiet sophistication.
The bridal villa mirrors the family villa in design but on a smaller scale. Positioned to overlook the rice fields and the mountain, this single-storey structure provides a private retreat for the bride and groom just steps from the chapel. Incorporating natural timber, rattan, and large expanses of glass, the design of the bridal villa ensures that every moment spent here feels immersive and tranquil.
Linking the compound to the main street is a bridge framed by bamboo arches that mirror the curved design of traditional Sundanese baskets, serving as a functional pathway and a scenic photo backdrop. Not only is the bridge a symbolic gesture that connects the venue to mother nature, its repetitive bamboo ribs create a rhythmic visual sequence, offering a picturesque passageway that frames the valley’s natural beauty.
All in all, this project allowed K-Thengono Design Studio to explore various wood types and construction techniques, highlighting a thoughtful integration of vernacular architecture and local materials with modern design practices. Not only has the studio enriched the wedding experience with their thoughtful design but they have also created a lasting connection between architecture, nature, and tradition, setting a new standard for contemporary wedding venues in Indonesia.
