RDP 47: Pablo Luna - He Spends 9 Months on a Site Before Drawing a Single Line

Pablo Luna is a Bali-based architect building in six countries simultaneously — and he refuses to draw a single line until he has spent between three and nine months studying the land. Founder of Pablo Luna Studio, Pablo works with bamboo and natural materials across Bali, Bhutan, Portugal, Mexico, and Uganda, designing wellness retreats, learning centres, and private residences that emerge from the ecology and culture of each place rather than being imposed on it. What separates his practice from conventional architecture is a rigorous pre-design phase he calls territorial studies — a systematic mapping of sun paths, wind corridors, tree canopies, animal habitats, ancestral land meanings, local material traditions, and community knowledge. Only once that investigation is complete does translation into design begin. In this conversation, Pablo walks through his full process — from land reading to material sourcing, from managing six projects across six cultures simultaneously to the discipline of stopping work at 5pm every day. Learn more and connect: 1\. Pablo Luna Studio website: https://www.pablolunastudio.com 2\. Pablo Luna Studio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pablolunastudio 3\. Email Pablo's team: connect@pablolunastudio.com Resources mentioned: 1\. Pablo Luna Studio — https://www.pablolunastudio.com 2\. Green School Bali (John and Cynthia Hardy) — https://www.greenschool.org 3\. Bambu Indah Hotel, Bali — https://www.bambuindah.com 4\. 12 Universal Laws of Nature by Matthieu Mehuys — https://www.12lawsofnature.com Take the next step in regenerative design with these resources: Discover more about regenerative design at Paulownia Landscape Architects: https://www.paulownia-la.com Dive into the 12 Universal Laws of Nature and unlock the secrets of harmonizing with our planet at https://www.12lawsofnature.com Fulfill your garden aspirations with expert guidance from the Garden of Your Dreams masterclass at https://www.gardenofyourdreams.com Ready to take actionable steps towards your dream garden? Book a complimentary 30-minute session with Matthieu for immediate results: https://calendly.com/garden-of-your-dreams