Let’s start with the most important thing for me. It’s not this collaboration, it’s not the photographs on here, it’s not the story.

It’s how this collaboration came about. That’s why I wrote this story here and not on my commercial site. Even tho we had the best time at Bandido Bali, I want this to be more than just a collaboration.

I was sitting at my favorite lunch spot when I got a DM on Instagram from Professor Bandido. I didn’t know who was behind this Instagram account. We just followed each other for the love and admiration of our photographs. Turns out we had a lot more in common, but more on that later.

He or she, I didn’t know at that time, reached out because of a collaboration with a place called Bandido. I haven’t heard of it until that day, but it was about to change all that I knew about architecture, design and unyielding believe in supporting the community & locals for a better Bali.

As spontaneous as I am, we met not even 20 minutes after the initial text. I had to ask for the name just to be sure who I am speaking with in case I had to tell someone who is waiting for me or who I’m looking for. “I’m Javi.” was the last message on my phone before we paid for lunch and drove off on our scooter.

Sam and me headed to Bandido Bali in Bingin, Uluwatu. We were greeted by a very lovely and kind yet reserved human being - Javi.

He told me that he built the place, that he showed us first, both as a shop and reception for his villas. It was an amazing room, with so many different things, from shirts, to art, to postcards to helmets - just pure design, artsy, culture, vibes.

As we were going around the shop we stopped at postcards. I saw so many beautiful photographs on them. Javi told us that these postcards are featuring photographers to showcase how they capture the culture and people of Bali. But the best part was not that he gives photographers a platform with this project, but that every single commission goes towards a charity project for the locals.

Maybe one of my photographs will be featured on a postcard someday - who knows. I have to take care what I wish for.

Because just recently I said to myself how much I would like to meet a likeminded person who is also into raw photography of balinese culture like me - I really did. Some days later I had the said message in my inbox.

But back to Bandido and Javi, who is the heart of the project.

Not even five minutes in and I could already tell Javi is one of the people that does everything with a lot of purpose, meaning and love. He was talking passionated about his projects, about architecture and about the locals. Javi is a prime example how you treat locals if you are doing business on their land.

Don’t believe me? Read the whole story and scroll through the photographs. You’ll find various occassions where Javi incorporated his landlord. In our Villa there was a big photograph of him fishing at Bingin Beach.

For me that’s how you do it. Lift people up. Respect them. Involve them. No matter how much money you have. You are still a guest. No matter how good your Bahasa is. You are still a guest.

The longer we talked to Javi, the more he fascinated me. His views on life resonated with mine. His love for photography, culture and the people. His love to detail.

Talking about details - as we were finished with the tour through his shop, he told us he wanted to show us one of the villas.

We headed to La Lourdes, one of the six villas. He told us that all the villas are named after the mother of him and the mothers of his friends. If you choose the name of your mom for the villa, it better be an amazing home and not be falling apart like most of the villas in Bali.

The moment we entered I could feel that this place was something magical. The love to detail - as you will see on the following visuals - the love for going against the odds - against the common.

La Lourdes is so much more than just a four bedroom villa with a gigantic pool, an open living room that could host a whole football squad, high quality handles, doors and sanitary in every little corner.

It’s a passion project - and for me, it’s exactly Javi.

Calming yet full of purpose and drive. Full of excitement for detail, art, craftsmanship and quality.

A prime example of throwing in everything you got into your passion. And to top things of Bandido Bali is even 2024 @Archdaily building of the year nominee.

The energy inspired me to take photographs that are raw, artsy and colorful - or monochrome - the opposite. Because at La Lourdes it doesn’t matter what you do, but how you do it.

With purpose, intention, the love for design and detail. The love for being that extra bit more invested into your heart project.

Enjoy the following visual story. Photographed, edited and written with the inspiration of Professor Bandido and La Lourdes.