Samma Studio – Frequently Asked Questions 2026

We provide full architecture and interior design services — from concept and design development to technical drawings and construction assessment. 

We don’t handle styling or furnishing for move-in-ready setups. That part is usually done by an interior stylist or decorator.

Yes, absolutely. Some clients already have the structure done and want us to design the interiors — layout, materials, furniture, and styling. That’s something we love doing.

We start by understanding your needs, lifestyle, and vision. Then we translate that into concept design, develop the details, and finalize the technical drawings. Once construction begins, we guide and supervise to make sure everything is built as designed.

For interior design, the process from start to finish. typically takes around 3–4 months.

For architecture, it’s longer due to the design development stage — usually around 6–8 months.

As the project scope is always customized to your needs, we’ll provide a clear timeline after the first consultation.

Yes. Most of our work is in Bali, but we’ve also handled projects in other cities and overseas. The process is flexible — we can handle coordination remotely when needed.

Homeowners, business owners, boutique hospitality brands — anyone who values thoughtful design and wants to create spaces that feel lived in, not just looked at.

Send us your brief — a few lines about your project, site location, and what you’re trying to create. We’ll schedule an initial discussion to understand your needs before preparing a proposal.

No, we don’t charge for our initial consultation. However, to make the discussion more focused, it would be better if you have secured your land (owned or leased), an initial programming, and a clear construction budget. This will help us to understand if we are aligned in vision, approach, and expectation, before moving forward together. 

Our design fee is customized based on factors such as project location, complexity, and scope. As each project presents unique demands in terms of timeline and budget, we tailor our fees accordingly to best accommodate your project's specific needs.

Our services cover the full design journey:

Each stage is billed progressively, based on the agreed scope and complexity of your project.

Our fees are tailored to each project. The first stage — Concept Design — begins with a 40% payment. The next 40% is due at the Design Development stage, and the final 20% at the Technical Drawings stage. This structure follows the natural rhythm of the design process, with each step tied to clear milestones and deliverables.

We collaborate closely with trusted contractors. You can bring your own builder, or we can recommend one that suits your project. Either way, we stay involved during construction to ensure design quality and alignment.

Building in Bali isn’t cheap these days. For our design standard, construction typically ranges around IDR 18–20 million per sqm, depending on the site condition, materials, and level of detailing.

We’ll always design within a realistic range. What matters is clarity from the start — your budget guides our material choices and detailing so expectations and outcomes align.

During construction, we provide Construction Assessment — a separate service from the design fee. This includes periodic site visits and coordination with the contractor and consultants to ensure the design is built according to plan. The service can be charged monthly or as a lump sum, depending on the project’s duration and scope. We don’t manage construction directly, but we stay closely involved to maintain design integrity and quality throughout the process.

A residential villa typically takes around 12–18 months to complete.

For commercial projects, the timeline depends on the scale, complexity, and level of detailing. We can provide a more accurate estimate once the design and construction scope are defined.

Considering consulting with an architect before diving into your project is always a wise move. At Samma Studio, we prioritize tailoring our services to fit your specific needs, ensuring you receive optimal support from the outset of your project.

During our initial meeting, we offer a comprehensive one-off consultation, providing invaluable guidance across all facets of your project—from design considerations to navigating costs throughout the planning and construction phases. This brief yet insightful session equips you with the knowledge necessary to bring your vision to life efficiently.

Furthermore, if your project requires planning permission or permit drawings (PBG / SLF), engaging an architect is typically a prerequisite. With our expertise and personalized approach, we're here to streamline your journey towards realizing your architectural aspirations.

The success of your project hinges on the quality of your project brief. Here's what we need to know:

- What type of project are you envisioning? Describe it in detail—is it a rental villa, restaurant, or perhaps your dream home?

- What design style resonates with you? Whether it's contemporary, tropical, or industrial, share your preferences and any inspirational references you have.

- Who holds decision-making authority? Identify the key decision-maker responsible for approving designs, managing costs, and overseeing construction.

- What is your budget? Provide comprehensive details about your budget for both design and construction to guide our approach. Your budget serves as a crucial design parameter, influencing material choices and spatial considerations.

- What is your project timeline? Whether you anticipate completion in 3 months, 6 months, or a year, it's essential for us to gauge our capacity to meet your expectations.

- What are your overarching goals? Share your aspirations for the project—whether it's maximizing space, enhancing natural light, accommodating diverse uses, or achieving greater flexibility. Your vision guides our design process toward realizing your objectives.

Selecting the right architect or interior designer is pivotal to the success of your project. Here's how to make an informed decision:

- Seek out architects with relevant experience in your project type or those who share your vision and aspirations. Review their portfolio to gauge their expertise and track record.

- Prioritize communication and responsiveness. Contact their references to assess their ability to effectively communicate, adapt to changes, and manage budgets.

- Engage in conversations with your shortlisted firms. Describe your project in detail and inquire about their capacity to handle it. Explore their website, peruse their portfolio, or request visits to completed projects.

- Establish a personal connection. Building rapport with your architect is essential to ensure alignment and effective collaboration throughout the project. It's crucial to be on the same page and share a common vision with your chosen architect.

While our time is valuable, we typically offer the initial consultation at no charge. During this meeting, we delve into your project requirements and assess our capability to meet your needs. However, for more in-depth design advice or services beyond the initial discussion, fees may apply.

Our design fee is customized based on factors such as project location, complexity, and scope. As each project presents unique demands in terms of timeline and budget, we tailor our fees accordingly to best accommodate your project's specific needs.

For a detailed overview of our design process, we invite you to explore our Expertise page.

Our team comprises professionals from diverse backgrounds, including architects, interior designers, decorators, and landscape designers. Rest assured, we'll assign the most suitable individual for your project, ensuring you receive the optimal solution tailored to your needs.

Our standard practice is to deliver conceptual design and construction drawings within a timeframe of 3 weeks for each design draft. We acknowledge that project timelines can vary based on client requirements. However, please note that the initial 3-week period is non-negotiable, except for smaller projects under 100 sqm.

We're thrilled to hear about your interest! Simply provide us with details about your project brief via email at hello@sammastudio.com or through WhatsApp at +62 89 7700 2111. Remember, the more detailed information you provide, the better we can tailor our services to meet your needs.

It always makes sense to at least talk to an architect for advice before you get going.

Most architects will offer a full service for your projects, but we at Samma Studio always adjust our fee according to our client’s needs, so you can get the best out of your projects in the early stages.

We also offer a one-off consultation during our first meeting — and this can be really useful. We will give you guidance on all aspects that you need to consider — design, cost through planning and construction. In a short time, you can gain valuable insight to help you realize your project.

If you need a planning permission (permit drawing / IMB), it is likely that you will need an architect.

The ultimate success of your project depends on the quality of your project brief. We will need to know:

Look for architects with experience of your type of project, or one that shares your aspirations. Check how many similar projects they have built. Follow up their references to find out about how well they communicated, how responsive they were to changes, and how effective they were at managing the budget.

Speak to each firm on your shortlist, describe your project, and ask if they have the capacity to take it on. Visit their website. Ask to see a portfolio or work, or to visit finished buildings. Above all, get to know your architect. It is important to ensure that you’re in the same frequency with your architect.

We are not obliged to offer our time for free, but generally we don’t charge for an initial conversation. The first meeting usually is to discuss the project and our ability to deliver it. Anything more than this, like detailed design advice — you should expect to pay for.

How much is your design fee?

Our fee will vary depending on the location, complexity of the project, and the scope of works. Every project usually has different needs, timeline, and budget. So, we always alter our fee to suit the project needs.

Our design process starts from concept design, where we will discuss more about the looks and visual, the layout plan — to suit all the building needs & requirements, and all that. We usually discuss a lot with our clients during this stage, because we understand the designer and the client / user have to collaborate together to deliver the design vision. The final document for this stage is final concept design document. 

After conceptual design is approved, we will start preparing for the preliminary drawings document that will act as a guideline for the structure & MEP consultants to engineer the design. 

Once preliminary drawings are settled, we will start working on our Design Development stage. We usually collaborate with MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) & structural consultants on this stage to make sure the engineering is done right. 

After the construction drawings are finished, we will help you in finding the right contractor to tender for your project. We usually do a sit-down meeting with contractors to discuss the design — which is executable and what not, and what we can change regarding the material or design according to your budget. 

Then, after you appoint the right contractor, we will start our project supervision. We will visit your project every major timing, according to the contractor’s schedule. We will also help every time a problem occurs on site.

Our team is formed with people with different backgrounds: architects, interior designers, decorators, landscape designers, and so on. We will appoint the right person for your project — that can deliver the right solution for your project.

For conceptual design & construction drawings, we usually have a standard of 3 weeks to submit each design draft. We understand that some projects can take quicker time, and some slower time — depending on the needs of the client. However, the first 3 weeks are non-negotiable — unless for smaller projects (under 100 sqm).

You can tell us more about your project brief to our email: hello@sammastudio.com or WhatsApp at +628977002111. Remember, the more detail, the better.