Photos by Calvin Ng, courtesy of Borneo Nature Tours. One year after completing the renovation of the Main Lodge at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, here's what it looks like. To see what it looked like during renovation check out these earlier blog posts. BRL Renovation - Demolitions BRL Renovation - Update We gutted the old place and turned everything around and uplifted it. Two big themes in the design were to improve the feeling of connection to nature and to make the public areas more welcoming The bar is now in the heart...

By Ian Hall The row of dark brown circles on the timber in the photo above are where bolts used to hold together the structure of an industrial warehouse (below). Responsible specification of timber in building projects gives me a headache. Reclaimed timber seems to be one of the best options but it's hardly a solution to the mass market. What's more, it may cost more than freshly cut timber so why should architects specify it? Most of the timber that we used in the recent renovation of the Main Lodge building at Borneo...

Text and photos by Ian Hall I was up before dawn to watch the sun rise from the view point at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. I could see nothing on account of cloud and so I lay down on the bench and went to sleep for a while. I was woken up by an orang-utan rustling the branches above me. I ignored it and rolled over on my binoculars-rolled-up-in-my-hat pillow. Another rustle and debris showered the observation deck. ‘OK you bugger, I’m getting up’ I grumbled and went to check on the progress of the view. The reason...

By Ian Hall The Main Lodge renovation at Borneo Rainforest Lodge was completed a couple of months ago and I'll post some professional quality images in due course. Meanwhile we're just about done finishing off the remaining 4 Standard chalets and these will be back in use by the start of July. These renovations are based on two original designs which we have adapted to into four unique new room types. The design principles have stayed true to our original philosophy of creating cool and comfortable rooms without...

By Ian Hall Sarah Greenlees is Arkitrek’s 2nd volunteer and came to Sabah in November 2009 to help oversee the renovation of the main lodge building at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Her contribution was essential as the tight timescale and unpredictable nature of renovation work meant that an architect was required on site full time. Although the lodge was closed for the duration of the renovation work, luckily for Sarah not all the kitchen and restaurant staff were on holiday. Sumptuous meals on the balcony with contactor...