Geoffrey Bawa’s buildings feel as if they emerge from the landscape rather than being built upon it: courtyards become gardens, rooms dissolve into terraces, and architecture merges with vegetation, light, or water. Once upon a time I traversed the island of Sri Lanka shooting a document film on the architect with Kraft Isono Films. It’s a journey many architects or architecture enthusiasts dream of. Here I outline a basic itinerary that we can plan for you, as well as benefiting from the extraordinary nature, landscape and wildlife on the isalnd. Bawa is also inextricably linked with the country of Sri Lanka. I was amazed during my own travels around the island, that most passersby on the street knew his name, no matter what kind of person. The journey below illustrates a studio away itinerary with private curator tours, following his work in hotels he designed, whilst visiting the houses, gardens and public buildings that show his distinct & diverse style.
Colombo - Number 11 & de Saram House -- Starting in Colombo, experience Bawa’s own Colombo residence and personal architectural work, Number 11. Originally four houses, the property was transformed into a sequence of rooms, courtyards, terraces and gardens. Have dinner at The Gallery Café, Bawa’s former office. Continue your stay in Colombo to see the de Saram House, an important early residential commission, before continuing to Sri Lanka’s Parliament complex at Kotte, his civic project set on an artificial island.
Kandalama - Kandalama Hotel -- My personal stay at the Heritance Kandalama was unforgettable. A grid-like exoskeleton, intentionally taken over by vegetation, defines this property whose style has been copied by many since. Its structure is at one with the rocks it was nestled into, overlooking a water reservoir that changes throughout the seasons.
Dambulla, Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa (Inspirational ancient sites) On your way to Kandalama, stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple. During your stay, rise early to climb to the top of Sigiriya – a place where Bawa’s fascination with the relationship between ancient Sri Lanka and architectural design becomes apparent. Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, exploring its temples, monasteries and reservoirs. Before making your way back south, stop through tea country for stunning views.
Lunuganga -- is Bawa’s country estate, whose definition goes beyond the confines of house or garden. A lifelong experiment in landscape and architecture, he worked on the design for decades, continually altering its gardens, pavilions, water features and views.
Tangalle -- The Last House was Bawa’s final residential project. Small, secluded and directly connected to the beach, its courtyards, water, tropical planting, framed views are a distillation of Bawa’s style, blurring the lines between interior and exterior.
Negombo, Blue Lagoon Hotel On the last night before heading home, stay at the Jetwing Negombo hotel near Colombo airport, to experience yet another of Bawa’s works designed in 1965