In 2020, entrepreneur and visionary Sergey Solonin founded Nuanu — a unique creative city on the coast of Bali where education is not just part of the infrastructure, but its very foundation. Drawing on his personal values, global experience, and deep respect for Balinese culture, Solonin has created an ecosystem where every element — from schools to art spaces — becomes a catalyst for individual and collective growth. EdDesign Mag asked Sergey Solonin why creativity is more than just art, how Nuanu’s educational initiatives are transforming local communities, and why learning here never truly ends.
Sergey Solonin, founder of Nuanu Creative City
Nuanu is a 44 hectare creative city, embodying a commitment to harmonious living. It unites a community of creators, leaders, and change makers and is empowered to foster a culture of positive change.
Main facts about Nuanu:
Nuanu in Balinese language means “in process”: it is constantly evolving and developing. Another concept that has been an inspiration for the Creative City is Tri Hita Karana – a traditional local philosophy for life. The literal translation is roughly the “three causes of well-being”. Balinese understand it as a harmony amongst people, nature and divine, the God. Finding the balance and harmony is the key. Nuanu Creative City interprets Tri Hita Karana as a harmony between art, nature and technology. Education is also a part of these three pillars.
70% of Nuanu will always remain green in terms of the construction. The development focuses on sustainable living, preserving a significant portion of the natural landscape and promoting eco-friendly practices.
Nuanu is not a linear project with strict guidelines. All collaborative projects are independent in terms of their marketing and operational models.
Nuanu as a city could be compared to the 15-minute city concept, in which most necessities and services can be easily reached by a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or electric vehicle ride. Movement in Nuanu is very child- and family-friendly.
— As a Nuanu founder, how do your own experiences and values influence the educational vision of Nuanu?
— In a past life I worked in finance and technology, but I was also an investor in a couple of universities focused on creativity. Education really has been a lifelong passion of mine and it stems from a deep conviction that it forms the bedrock of any vibrant creative community.
Photo: Nuanu Creative City
When I founded Nuanu in 2020, it was imperative that education be a core component of the concept which is why alongside arts and culture, lifestyle and living, health and wellbeing, and the environment, it is one of the five pillars that make up our Creative City.
Within Nuanu, we have a number of spaces dedicated to learning, but the crown jewel of our educational infrastructure is the ProEd Global School. In fact it was the very first project we launched at Nuanu. ProEd hosts 140 students from the reception towards Year 9. School expands the classes as students move on.
Another project we have instigated at Nuanu that I am particularly proud of is Kids Academy, a free arts and culture school designed to empower local children through social and environmental initiatives to help preserve Balinese artisan practices such as pottery making and rattan basket weaving. This academy is especially designed for the local community in the nearby Beraban and Pandak Gede villages not only to foster connection and creative education, but also build their entrepreneurial mindset at an early age.
Photo: Nuanu
When you walk through our city, you’ll notice how we’ve woven learning spaces throughout – from formal classrooms to dynamic outdoor areas, art installations featuring pieces created by our students at Art Village, and cultural venues. Everything in our creative city can be treated as a tool to educate and enlighten everyone of all ages.
— How did you choose the curriculum, was it a personal choice or have you chosen a particular model from a practical point of view?
— At ProEd Global School, we’ve carefully designed a curriculum that combines globally respected educational models to meet the diverse needs of our students. The Cambridge Curriculum forms the foundation, offering rigorous academic standards and international recognition, ensuring students are equipped with a world-class education.
Photo: EdDesign Mag
Alongside this, we’ve integrated the ASDAN Towards Independence curriculum, which focuses on life skills and caters to students with learning disabilities. This dual approach ensures that every student, regardless of their background or abilities, has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.
On a personal note, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of Spiral Dynamics, a model that explores the evolution of human consciousness and value systems. As someone who co-authored a book on the subject, I see it as an invaluable tool for understanding cultural transformation and managing diversity. Its principles resonate deeply with Nuanu’s mission, especially in creating a community that brings together individuals from Bali and beyond. Spiral Dynamics allows us to design systems and spaces that nurture personal growth, collaboration, and adaptability — key values in a multicultural environment like Nuanu.
Sustainability Concept of Nuanu:
Nuanu doesn’t claim to be a completely sustainable project, but has strict environmental policies and research based programs:
- No fuel based vehicles are allowed around the territory;
- No large tree cutting policy. Young trees are relocated to a specific place;
- Within a reforestation program more than 20,000 trees have been planted
- Waste management program to recycle from 70% to 90% of solid waste produced by the development and projects;
- The Nature Department is the biggest department in Nuanu and has several labs: the Biota team does research around insects and breeding programs like dragonfly and butterfly breeding programs as due to rice farming and heavy use of pesticides a lot of the native species of butterflies have declined. The Orchid Lab has more than 500 species of orchids.
— How do you think Nuanu’s educational initiatives will impact the surrounding region and communities?
— By blending international excellence with local wisdom through institutions like ProEd Global and Kids Academy, it will create a new generation of creative leaders deeply rooted in cultural authenticity. The purpose of free art education programs and scholarships is to democratise access to world-class creative education, elevating local talent and fostering economic mobility.
Moreover, The Timpal Hub (a Nuanu Social Fund project, free digital literacy education for the children) and our innovative learning spaces will serve as catalysts for creative industry growth, establishing Nuanu as a globally recognized hub for creative education and entrepreneurship with deep respect and appreciation for local arts and culture. This ecosystem will attract international creative professionals, leading to knowledge transfer and collaborative opportunities that benefit local communities.
— What excites you the most about the future of education within Nuanu?
— We’re crafting an ecosystem where learning transcends traditional boundaries. Every corner of our city – from our ProEd Global School to our cultural venues and outdoor spaces — is designed to spark curiosity and foster growth.
When I envision creativity within Nuanu, I see it as far more than artistic expression. To us, creativity means the ability to think innovatively, solve complex problems, and forge meaningful connections between different ways of thinking. It’s about how a student might apply ancient Balinese wisdom to modern sustainability challenges, or how a tech entrepreneur might collaborate with local artisans to preserve cultural heritage through digital means.
Photo: Aurora Media Park and Magic Garden
This creativity is woven into the very fabric of our city’s development. You’ll see it in our eco-conscious circular-themed architecture and integration of the Golden Ratio throughout the site that serves as both a learning tool and a testament to sustainable innovation. You’ll experience it in our interactive learning spaces such as Magic Garden (an immersive space to learn more about Bali’s native flora and fauna) and Aurora Media Park – Bali’s first outdoor multimedia park which puts an emphasis on nature, art and technology.
ProEd Global School’s Nuanu campus is designed as a comfortable transparent village, where each class is a specific structure, and creates a natural and adaptable environment for students. The campus is a part of the larger Nuanu project, whose architectural vision is led by Rustam Kerimov, who serves as the Chief Architect and Head of Development and is set on a 44-hectare property between rivers and near the ocean.
The architecture emphasizes open, flowing spaces, connecting indoor and outdoor learning environments. The use of materials like canvas, wood, and bamboo creates an earthy, very local-like aesthetic, reflecting the school’s commitment to Bali’s cultural heritage. The school uses eco-friendly weatherproof glamping tents as classrooms alternative. These tents minimize the environmental footprint and modular design allows flexibility for future growth: school builds additional classes as students move towards the next year.
Outdoor spaces like the garden, playgrounds, and sports fields blend into the school topography, fostering a sense of environmental awareness.
— How do you ensure that the educational initiatives at Nuanu stay innovative and relevant?
— At Nuanu, we ensure our educational initiatives remain innovative and relevant by fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We engage with global thought leaders, educators, and technologists to integrate cutting-edge methodologies and technologies into our programs. Regular feedback loops with visitors allow us to adapt our offerings to their evolving needs, ensuring that our education system remains dynamic and impactful.
Photo: Nuanu Creative City
Our focus on multidisciplinary learning means that education at Nuanu goes beyond traditional boundaries. We blend arts, science, wellness, and sustainability to create unique, immersive learning experiences.
To encourage lifelong learning, Nuanu provides a variety of accessible opportunities tailored to all ages and interests. From hands-on activities like craft-making and culinary classes to advanced seminars on AI and renewable energy, there’s something for everyone.
April 2025
