Island Designer: Peter Muller 1927–2023 

Balidiscovery.com has learned of the death of renowned Australian architect Peter Muller, on 17 February 2023, at the age of 95.

Peter Neil Muller was born in Adelaide, South Australia. He was an internationally acclaimed architect known for his prolific portfolio of private residences, commercial properties, and boutique resorts in Australia, Bali, Lombok, the U.S.A., Tahiti, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Egypt, and France.

Peter Muller and Aman Resorts Founder Adrian Zech

After attending St. Peter’s College in South Australia, he earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Adelaide. He completed a Fellowship in Architecture from the South Australian School of Mines and Industries in 1948. He won a Board of Architectural Education and Royal Australian Institute of Architects Traveling Scholarship in 1947. He was also the recipient of a Fulbright Traveling Scholarship. He was awarded a Graduate Tuition Scholarship in the U.S.A. at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Master of Architecture degree. Later, he was accepted as an Associate of the Royal British Institute of Architects.

Peter married three times. His third wife, Helen Hayes (1998-2001), preceded him in death. Muller married his second wife, Carole Mason in 1964, who he divorced in 1991. Muller later rejoined his second wife, Carole Mason, an anthropologist, credited with influencing the many Balinese cultural elements he incorporated in his signature Bali resorts.

Muller championed the principle of a “harmonious union between building and sites,” repeatedly demonstrated in the many projects he designed worldwide. His resorts and private residences in Asia are examples of a responsible approach to resort architecture. The unique designs Muller brought to the Amandari in Ubud and Oberoi in Seminyak were “game changers” – impacting almost all subsequent boutique resort projects. Both properties have won numerous awards for architectural excellence.

Notable Peter Muller’s projects in Indonesia:

  • Matahari Hotel, Sanur Beach, Bali (1970)
  • Peter Muller House, Campuan, Bali (1972)
  • Kayu Aya Hotel, Semiyak, Bali (1973)
  • The Bali Oberoi (Continuation of Kayu Aya Hotel Project – 1977-2001)
  • Amandari Villa (13 luxury estates – 1994)
  • Antap West Bali Luxury Housing Estate (1995-1998)
  • The Oberoi Ubud, Bali (1995-1998)
  • The Oberoi Bedugul (1995-1998)
  • Canyon Ranch Health Complex, West Bali (1995-1998
  • The Oberoi Lombok (1997)

Peter Muller was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2015.

Related Links

Peter Muller Website

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