After ten incredible years in our Bali HQ, it’s time for a new chapter. Our lease ends in December 2025, and the land has been sold. We’ve found a new site, double the size! This has been our opportunity to build our own office from the ground up, with sustainability at its core and a display of modern cultural values. It aligns perfectly with Discova’s B-Corp journey and, on a personal level, with my own passions for sustainability and my background as a carpenter.
Let me walk you through what we’re creating…
We initially aimed to go 100% off-grid, but local regulations in Indonesia require buildings to remain connected to the national electricity grid. So, we found the next best solution: 55% of our power will come from renewable energy.
We’re installing a battery system to store solar energy during the day and power the office overnight, with operations running 24/7 in Bali. On most days, we’ll run entirely off our own supply. The only challenge is Bali’s rainy season, but even then, we’ll be close.
The building will face east–west to maximise solar exposure throughout the day. We’ll install 60 panels on the roof, generating 37 kW per day.
A smart energy display in our reception area will show real-time data, how much energy we’re generating versus consuming, because transparency inspires action. It’s not just for us; it’s a conversation starter for suppliers and partners who visit. We hope to inspire them to start asking questions of their own offices and encourage them to follow our lead.
The system will pay for itself in just 2.5 years.
We’re building with locally produced steel, avoiding the heat-retaining properties of concrete. This reduces our air conditioning needs, one of the biggest energy costs in tropical climates.
Our roof will be partially covered in vines and greenery, creating natural insulation, while the carpark uses grass-filled pavers to reduce heat bounce.
Every light in our outdoor space will be powered by solar panels. It’s a design that looks good, feels good, and does good.
Bali’s rain is one of its greatest resources, so we’re reclaiming it. Our new system will collect and recycle rainwater for car washing, gardens, showers, and toilets, anything except drinking. With 123 people working in the building, this will make a real impact on our water footprint.
Our Green Team, a group of passionate plant lovers, will transform the interior into a living, breathing workspace. We want to improve indoor air quality and create a natural, calming environment. They’re researching the right species, growth cycles, and layouts. It’s a living design.
We’re building an underground composting system, large cylindrical chambers where food and garden waste break down naturally, thanks to maggots and microbes. We will quickly have rich compost for our gardens, and zero food waste sent to landfill.
Our plastics will be sent to “Seven Clean Seas”, who recycle them into roofing tiles used by local communities, including in Manggis, where our Kaura Eco Retreat is located.
We’re also partnering with a key supplier, “Blue Water Safaris”, to run eco-education snorkelling and beach clean-ups, turning guests into ocean advocates.
We’re introducing an on-site cafeteria that serves healthy, locally grown meals, including produce from our Kaura and farm in Manggis. These delicious new menus will be healthier, cheaper for staff, and drastically reduce single-use packaging from food deliveries.
Visitors will also enjoy locally roasted coffee and teas, and snacks made by our community partners, a small but powerful way to connect people to the places we work.
We’re preparing for a complete conversion to electric vehicles by 2030.
Right now, two of our 62 vehicles are full EVs, with another 20 hybrids. The new office will feature five charging stations, built in partnership with BYD, to power the next wave of our fleet. There aren’t many public chargers in Bali yet; we’re helping lead that change.
Inspired by our own, Sintya Dewi, who is a Global Shaper Ambassador, we’re opening our doors to the Global Shapers Denpasar Chapter, a youth-led initiative under the World Economic Forum. They’ll use our meeting and kitchen facilities free of charge, and we’ll host monthly pitch sessions where they can present ideas that align with our values. Our team will have an excellent opportunity to hang out with young, inspirational entrepreneurs to share ideas and co-create the next opportunity in travel. It’s our way of giving back, and of investing in Bali’s next generation of innovators.
This new office isn’t just for us; it’s a proof of concept. We want to show what’s possible and inspire a trend toward sustainable building models across Bali and beyond. Sustainability is our blueprint for growth. If our actions can spark others to rethink how they build, work, and live, we’ll have achieved something far greater than a new HQ.
This is how we stand out in the market: by living our values and proving that sustainability and business success go hand in hand.
… and hopefully inspiring you to do the same too!
Peter
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