For the Balinese, everything has its correct place in the world, with the gods on high, malevolent spirits in the lowest regions, and mankind sandwiched between the two. This cosmological framework influences not only the domestic architecture of the Balinese but also their palaces and pavilions-and the myriad of temples which are scattered throughout the island. Rank and social status, the needs of the village and of the extended family, and the tropical climate also play a part.

This book is intended to provide the visitor to Bali with a step-by-step guide to the complexities of Balinese domestic and religious architecture. The Balinese belief system, rituals associated with building, building materials and construction techniques, and the intricate ornamentation of buildings are among the topics covered. Watercolor illustrations of panoramas, important sites, building types, design concepts, and construction techniques complement a concise, informative text and help to elucidate the meaning of many of the places that visitors will see during a stay on the island.