FEATURES • DESTINATIONS
Nurturing Tranquillity in
Bali’s Boom: The Unique
Essence of La Brisa
January 2025
Words & Photography by The Punch
La Brisa, a tropical retreat on the shores of Canggu, brings a distinctive charm to its story. It took more than 500 recycled wooden ships to build the actual venue. La Brisa directly translates to ‘the breeze’ in Spanish, evoking a soft and gentle wind. It captures the spirit of old European fisherman villages where every corner of this tropical sanctuary shares a story through diverse decor and a sense of nostalgia. Besides the appealing creation of the venue, it was also built with reclaimed materials, making it stand out on the fast-developing concrete scene on the island.
Jeremy Bleszynski, Culinary Director of LYD Group, shares the impact of these efforts, emphasizing that superior ingredients directly impact the entire dining experience. LYD Bali has a proven track record in creating successful hospitality and lifestyle concepts across Indonesia. This includes well-known venues like La Brisa, La Favela, and La Plancha, as well as LYD Organic, the group's permaculture farm, and Bokashi, an organic grocery store. Initiatives such as La Brisa Market are part of their broader efforts to support local farmers and small businesses.
Over the past few years, this market has evolved from selling LYD Organic produce to featuring over 100 vendors every Sunday morning, establishing itself as a unique destination and celebrating a strong sense of community.
THE FASCINATING COCONUT GROVE
In 2016, during the transformation of Bali’s Canggu-Seminyak area, the founders of La Brisa saw an opportunity in the island’s shift toward expansive concrete structures. They responded with a vision to build sustainably, taking on the challenge of reusing and recycling materials while also restoring nature to the area. They reintroduced hundreds of palm trees to counterbalance the new concrete jungle, creating a serene retreat from the overbuilding trend–something rarely witnessed along Bali’s bustling beaches. This mindful approach to design and execution beautifully aligns with the venue’s core values, reflecting a harmonious blend of durability and functionality.
RECLAIMED WOOD & ON-SITE MAINTENANCE
La Brisa’s dedication to best practices is exemplified by its thoughtful choice of reclaimed wood. Constructed from over 500 repurposed wooden ships, the venue embraces a continuous cycle of care and rejuvenation. Each timber is reused and reimagined, ensuring every piece serves its purpose multiple times. Additionally, the venue features a dedicated on-site wood maintenance station, designed to minimize waste and promote efficient sorting and management of materials. This commitment to preserving the character of the reclaimed wood not only enhances the venue's aesthetic but also upholds its environmental integrity.
TRANSFORMING WASTE: THE JOURNEY TOWARDS ZERO
La Brisa’s zero-waste philosophy is more than just the tip of the iceberg, it’s also a smart way to manage costs. Jeremy, inspired by his time at Potato Head, was eager to bring the same mindset to La Brisa. In October 2021, they began separating organic and non-organic waste–a practice that continues today. From there, the waste finds its way to Urban Compost or Green School, where it fuels school buses. By 2022, La Brisa had teamed up with the Jiwa Garden Community, transforming food waste into something useful. For Jeremy, waste management is more than a process–it’s a journey from collection to recycling and one that shows how community work can create a real impact.
Every product, whether organic or bar supplies, arrives encased in glass and plastic. Once used, these materials are sorted and directed to their most beneficial destinations.
However, the commitment doesn’t end with recycling. Instead of simply passing waste along, the goal is to repurpose and extend the life cycle of materials. For example, glass once used in the bar may be transformed into durable barware, reducing the need for new resources. Although some waste may inevitably slip through the cracks, the focus remains on managing and minimizing the environmental footprint.
As LYD continues to deepen partnerships with local suppliers and organizations like Sungai Watch, they refine their waste sorting and recycling processes, transforming waste into new products and amplifying their sustainability efforts.
FARM AND VENUE UNITED
In the mid-2010s, as demand for non-native produce in Bali surged, LYD Organic adapted by forming a partnership with farmers in Bedugul, a region known for its diverse crop-friendly climate. This collaboration blossomed into a sustainable system that now supplies LYD venues like La Brisa with fresh, organic produce, all while embracing permaculture and reducing pesticide use. For La Brisa, this connection brings more than just quality ingredients–it strengthens their commitment to sustainability.
La Brisa’s collaboration with LYD Organic follows the principles of organic farming, creating a closed-loop system. Food waste from the kitchen is collected by the LYD farm team and transformed into organic fertilizer. This process is a scrupulous one, requiring careful steps: from separation and decomposition to maturation and sifting, making sure every stage contributes to the farm’s approach–a cycle of growth and renewal, deeply rooted in respect for the land.
RESURGENCE AND REFLECTION
In the summer of 2021, La Brisa closed for nearly a month, reopening with a curfew but without letting any staff go. For Jeremy, this quiet period became a time to reconnect with his team, focusing on training, cleaning, and building stronger relationships. When La Brisa reopened, excitement was in the air. What began as a simple lunch package has now evolved into over 120 F&B specials, proof of the venue’s ongoing growth and development.
BUILDING BRIDGES FOR SUCCESS
In Bali, forging a profound connection with local communities is essential for any new or existing business. This involves engaging deeply with the village or district where one operates and cultivating relationships with suppliers, whether sourcing locally or importing.
At the heart of La Brisa’s operations, the cultivation of these essential bonds is approached with care and dedication, always striving for improvement. They empower locals by highlighting the financial advantages of minimizing single-use plastics and opting for natural materials, transforming the supply chain into a model of responsibility. This ongoing dialogue and proactive support guide partners toward improved practices, which are crucial for scaling a truly sustainable enterprise.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
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