Tag: Sri Lanka

When Cyclone Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka in recent days, it did not discriminate by district or topography. Coastal towns flooded, inland river basins overflowed and the central highlands saw landslides carve through settlements that had long occupied unstable terrain. While the cyclone was a natural event, the scale of devastation was not inevitable. It was shaped – amplified even – by architecture, planning and the long-standing relationship between built form and landscape.

Barista, Sri Lanka’s largest café chain, stands out as a recognizable name in the country’s coffee culture. This particular project is located alongside the bustling Colombo–Kandy main road and involved the renovation of an existing 3,000 sqft space, spanning both ground and first floors, into a well-planned café and restaurant with dedicated dining, kitchen, and service zones.

Once known primarily as a port city, Colombo has long been shaped by trade, colonial influence and its position along vital Indian Ocean routes. Over time, that maritime identity has given way to a new role as a commercial and financial center looking to establish itself within the region. This evolution is written into the city’s skyline, which in recent decades has begun to rise taller and bolder.

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to build a house or a building in Sri Lanka? Many people think it’s as simple as buying land, hiring a mason, and starting construction. But in reality, the journey is far more structured and when done right, it saves time, money, and endless frustration.

Tucked into the lush, unhurried suburbs of Maharagama, Star House rises as a gleaming silhouette of contemporary calm—a residence where architecture speaks in hushed tones of clarity, precision, and grace. Designed for a surgeon whose profession demands an exacting eye, the home is more than a reflection of its owner’s ethos—it is the architectural embodiment of it.

From ancient raised “pila” in traditional vernacular mud houses to “front porch” in colonial era Walawwa type homes, the verandah is a highly significant design feature seen in Sri Lankan houses- even amongst local contemporary architecture.

The site was located in Peliyagoda 10 km away from Colombo, frontage is facing to the Colombo – Negambo main road and Kelani River, is forming the rear boundary.

“The TRIANGLE,” designed to meet the needs of a contemporary family, is a modern and robust architectural design featuring simple geometric volumes that culminate in a minimalistic and highly functional home. This house is designed on a challenging, triangular-shaped, sloping plot of 12 Perches (303sq.m.) land. The existing sloping terrain is meticulously integrated into the design by incorporating a central courtyard and a connecting bridge to match the floor levels, resulting in a unique and site-specific design that harmonizes with its environment. The double-height volume and the Grand spiral staircase serve as the centerpiece of the common areas, enhancing the sense of space and providing a striking architectural feature.

The land is situated a kilometer distance from the heart of Jaffna. The land transferred generations to the client 30 years back. He migrated and lives in Australia for the last three decades. His wise to build a house in the native place as healing for bitter memories of the house destroyed in the civil war.

Nestled on a serene hill overlooking the iconic Kandy Lake and the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the tooth relic of the Buddha) in Sri Lanka, “The Trees” is a 27-room boutique hotel epitomizing tropical modernism and sophisticated minimalism.

SLINTEC Phase One located at The National Nanotechnology Park in Homagama Colombo, was one of the initial projects in 2012 that catalyzed the knowledge city concept that the area is now becoming. It paved way to many modern architecture in the context to rethinking and redefining architecture of past, to look into the future with open eyes. SLINTEC is the one of the leading research institute in Sri Lanka for Science and Technology under the Ministry of Technology.

Clay tile roofing has long been the hallmark of traditional Sri Lankan architecture. The familiar terracotta tiles, often hand-molded and kiln-fired, lend a warmth and texture that resonate deeply with the vernacular aesthetics. Their heavy mass and characteristic gaps between tiles allow for natural ventilation, creating a cooling buffer that is invaluable in the hot, humid lowlands and the misty country alike. The pitched roof with generous overhangs effectively sheds the heavy monsoon rains while protecting walls and openings. Yet, this beauty comes with structural demands – supporting clay tiles requires good timber or steel rafters, and their weight and fragility necessitate skilled installation and ongoing maintenance. Greenery invasion or occasional breakage in high-rain areas mean owners must be vigilante to preserve their roof. Despite these challenges, clay tiles remain unmatched for projects that seek to blend tradition, climate responsiveness and timeless aesthetics.

This personalised residence stands as a heartfelt tribute to a late mother’s enduring wish to keep family roots alive in Jaffna. The contemporary design of this home blends tradition and modernity, drawing inspiration from the textures, spatial idea, and symbolism of traditional Jaffna architecture. This residence distinguishes itself from the surrounding built fabric as a space that embodies memory, continuity, and cultural connection.

Carnage has had a steady rise in its popularity, driving an immense expansion within a very small period. Along with its rapid development, came the need to establish a spacious back-end office that carries the business from its design and sourcing stages to its final output of product and content. This was where the “The Silent Architect” was given the responsibility of revamping a property of 4 floors at Narahenpita to create an office suitable for their young and energetic crew.

Nestled within the mist-covered hills and vibrant greenery, Ahas Gawwa is a nature-integrated boutique hotel that rises like a miracle in the sky. The architectural vision is rooted in a deep sensitivity to context embracing the site’s natural contours, native vegetation, and expansive panoramic views.