
Projects & Passions
The common values of a relentless pursuit of an ever-more-sustainable circular economy, bridging communities and nurturing craftsmanship form the foundation for the Hardy family’s projects and passions What started with an inspiration from a centuries-old woven chain grew to a global jewelry brand which then led to multiple brands and businesses that continue to inspire generation to generation.
Green School
Bali in the 1980s represented green and sustainable living well before it became fashionable – John and Cynthia were ahead of their time in founding and building this iconic brand which they exited in 2007.
John and Cynthia founded Green School in 2008. John’s TED talk and tireless promotion at global events grew brand awareness to be even bigger than the John Hardy jewelry brand.
Celebrity endorsements from Richard Branson and Jane Goodall and massive attention from media and big names from Hollywood and Silicon Valley helped further the brand and the school’s mission.
John and Cynthia passed the operational baton in 2021 with a PE-back strategic partnership. John continues to serve as Global Brand Ambassador.
Elppin Jewelry
Elppin was founded by Carina Hardy in 2018. The jewelry line is inspired by women and their breasts.
Pieces are made in Bali by traditional artisans in their home workshops, and 10% from all sales go to causes which support women’s sexual health.
IBUKU
Elora Hardy founded IBUKU as a design studio to innovate natural materials, including bamboo, which facilitate connecting people with nature.
The IBUKU team works on projects globally designing homes and hotels and more.
Matriarchy Now
Founded by Chiara, Matriarchy serves as a vision for the future of women leaders, a demand for the end of patriarchy, and a statement of self possession and empowerment.
The movement came about as a reaction to a high school bullying incident based on the idea of turning a negative into a positive.
Bamboo U
Founded by Orin Hardy, Bamboo U is an education enterprise that grew out of the centre of the world’s bamboo building movement in Bali, Indonesia.
Near the campus of Green School Bali, Bamboo U offers both hands-on learning experiences in Bali as well as an online learning program developed during the COVID pandemic.
Elora Hardy and architects from IBUKU collaborate with Bamboo U in the course curriculum.
John Hardy
Bali in the 1980s represented green and sustainable living well before it became fashionable – John and Cynthia were ahead of their time in founding and building this iconic brand which they exited in 2007.
They built a village - not a factory – in rice fields with the design studio hovering above water flowing across communities.
EVERYTHING was about sustainability and the Brand Heritage was born.
Bambu Indah
This boutique hotel was launched by the Hardy family in 2005 when John and Cynthia transplanted eleven antique wooden houses from all around Indonesia to their homestead near Ubud in Bali.
The hotel’s unique blend of simple yet sophisticated luxury set in nature attracted guests from all over the globe with near full occupancy all year round.
The hotel, featured most recently in Conde Naste Traveller, is being prepared for a post-COVID re-opening in 2022.
Kul-Kul Farm
Founded by Orin and his wife Maria, the Kul Kul Farm is a permaculture farm located a skip away from the Green School in Bali.
The farm grows healthy, organic wholesome food and shares educational experiences in permaculture design,, gardening and earth friendly living through workshops and courses.
Green Village Bali
This eco-village in Bali was conceived by John Hardy at the time he and Cynthia founded Green School.
With twelve homes designed and built by Elora’s team at IBUKU, the village was completed in 2020 and now houses a community of like-minded people, many of whom have a direct connection with nearby Green School.
Green by John and Cynthia
Green by John and Cynthia is a platform for the Hardy parents to spread key messages related to sustainability, design and travel, each of which are key to core Hardy family values.
Through multiple social media platforms and a monthly newsletter which goes out to over 4,000 subscribers John and Cynthia stay networked, while supporting and building Hardy family brands
Tiang Hidup
Tiang Hidup is John's latest passion project, a disruptive hotel concept with equitable tourism at its heart.
Built with a minimal footprint in central Bali the hotel will be composed of 30 rooms built on land owned by farmers and operated on a revenue-sharing model.