Traditional Javanese joglos rescued from rural Indonesia and carefully restored in Bali, giving these remarkable timber buildings a new life for contemporary use.
Project Type
Heritage Restoration & Relocation
Completion
A second life for Javanese heritage.
Recognised by their soaring central roofs, substantial teak structures, and intricate hand-carved details, joglos are an important part of Java’s architectural heritage. As fewer remain in everyday use, many historic examples have been left standing in rural villages, making their preservation increasingly important.
Heritage Homes Japan has rescued and relocated a number of these buildings, carefully dismantling them in Java before transporting them to Bali for restoration. Rebuilt around their original teak structures and craftsmanship, the restored joglos now serve new purposes as private homes, hotel villas, shops, and spas, extending the life of buildings that might otherwise have been lost.
⸺ Sourcing
We locate heritage properties across Kyoto and rural Japan — machiya, kominka, and former temples whose architectural integrity makes them worth preserving. Each candidate is evaluated for structural soundness, historical character, and restoration potential.
⸺ Design
Our in-house architects assess the structure and develop a sensitive restoration plan. We map what to preserve, what to repair, and where modern systems can be integrated without disturbing the home's character.
⸺ Structural Restoration
Original timber frames, beams, and lattice work are stabilized and refinished by hand. We reinforce where needed using traditional joinery and contemporary techniques — always invisible, always reversible where possible.
⸺ Modern Systems
Plumbing, electrical, insulation, and climate control are introduced behind the scenes. Kitchens, bathrooms, and storage are reimagined for contemporary life, specified in materials that match the home's vocabulary.
⸺ Interior Detailing
Hand-applied plaster, custom joinery, hinoki ofuro, integrated lighting — every visible surface is considered. We source from the same workshops that have supplied Kyoto's machiya for generations.
⸺ Handover
The completed home is documented, photographed, and prepared for its next chapter. We support new owners through purchase, registration, and the early months of living in their restored property.
