Nikoi & Cempedak

The inspiration to develop Nikoi & Cempedak into private island retreats had its roots in disenchantment with the standards of holiday accommodations on offer, within easy reach of Singapore. The choices were either flea-ridden shacks or opulently garish five-star hotels; cultural sensitivity, vernacular design and simple luxuries were seemingly unheard of. With that in mind, the concept of Nikoi came to life in 2007, quickly becoming a popular destination for Singapore residents and visitors from farther away. Many guests are regular returnees, making this idyllic island their preferred escape from busy city life.

From the outset, building and operating Nikoi & Cempedak along strict sustainable principles has been at the forefront of development plans for the islands. Not only were the resorts built entirely with local materials, labour and services but they are also operated by the local community. Cempedak Island – opened in 2017 – is the world’s first private island resort to be constructed entirely from bamboo. Through time, many important trades and skills have been transferred to the islands’ contractors and staff.

We designed and built the new websites for Nikoi & Cempedak, bringing the relaxed and personal island retreat experience to life in the browser. In addition to the default English language version of the site, we helped to bring a Japanese language version online, supporting the rapidly growing interest for the islands from this Asian nation.