Tag: Sri Lanka

The integration of a singular house into a densely populated urban fabric is always a challenge, however, The ‘Wayside’ is an exceptional example of how one can achieve this, while becoming a unifying element that allows urban continuity in a positive way. The site is located on a by-lane in Atthidiya – a densely populated suburban situation – that required the design to take an introverted approach. The architect outlined a scheme to create a house with its own interior landscape. Consequently, the design established a unified relationship with a series of garden pockets that helped to improve the quality of urban living for the residents.

The inspiration for this home comes from the lofty horizontal landscape visible through the great green paddy fields. Perched at perhaps the most powerful piece of land at the foot of the rocky mountain of Andagala in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. The house is completely open to the paddy field, unfolding towards the horizon.

Architecture, not necessarily emerge spontaneously, instead can be evolved as a problem-solving process even for a small, personalized house. “The homestay”, was designed by connecting small scale, non-designed two existing units located in the same site at Ahangama, and now celebrate the serenity of living in collective personalized spaces under one roof.

As jarring as ‘regeneration’ may sound, that’s precisely what Architect Amila Liyanapathirana did so flawlessly when he was sought to build a boutique hotel in the cool climes of Kitulgala right on the edge of a rainforest. Moksha is a hotel built for repose and healthful living, of life embedded in nature. While it offers all the creature comforts in the likes of a star hotel in its interior, Moksha’s exterior structure and ambience blend themselves seamlessly into the natural landscape it is built into.

Located at the heart of the busy city of  Maharagama, facing the high level road, the new skyline is a highly commercial urban facility which harbours various cases of professionalism, such as studios, cafes, restaurants and also residential spaces. The constant economic and industrial development in the area such as the highway and the client’s various interests drove this project in to reality.

Located in a context with a slightly sloppy terrain in Anderson Road at Nedimala – Dehiwala, Sri Lanka; this abode was built on a 31 perch block of land fringing the haphazardly developed neighborhood. Portraying the language of tropical Modern Villa type, this design draws inspiration from the notion of simplicity that climaxes at the zenith of sophisticated complexity. The design is composed of pure geometry and lucid lines creating simple flowing spaces that are devoid of unnecessary ornamentation. The home has a simple U-shaped floor plan that optimizes privacy and also promotes ample influx of natural daylight and cross ventilation. An entertainment area perched atop the southern wing embodying the public realm is oriented towards the residential fabric, thus buffering all the private activities which are concentrated at the northern connecting wing. Moreover, the intermediate semi-private zone flanked by sun basked gardens, overlook a serene focal pool. Subtle play of contrasts creates a refreshing and a relaxing habitat. The simple robust form adhering to a subdued natural colour palette not only creates an overall monastic ambience by its muted whiteness during the day; but also acts as a house of fete and entertainment at night.

Architect Isurunath Bulankulame has created a villa that draws inspirations from the vernacular tradition of the locality as well as the natural beauty of the Landscape and historical significance of Kandy. Minimalistic in his approach with clean lines and simple framing of views he has captured what resonates in the context and maximised the land area to create initially a house that is now being used as a boutique villa/hotel.

Tea is authentic to Sri Lanka, yet experience in a proper tea lounge was lack in the City. This is a design and built project that was carried out by the F&S to introduce Sri Lankan tea lounge tradition in the city. The work done by the architect include total interior of the lounge with the services. The spaces were designed with the concept of the essence of ‘Tea Leaf’ inside the lounge.

The Client is a young couple with a tight budget, keen on making a home for themselves as a place to escape to and relax, away from their busy schedules. Located amidst a residential neighbourhood in Horahena, this residence is characterized by its curved formation that is derived from the site layout- a 6.56 perch plot with a cul-de-sac of the common access way defining the curved edge of the site.

The nearly three decades old, dilapidated, three-storied family house was renovated with extensions, giving it a modern architectural makeover. Floor layouts were altered to introduce spatial discipline, reduce the spatial clutter, optimize building services, and enhance the use of sunlight & natural ventilation. The 2,560 sqft footprint fitted into the 11.4 perches (3,100 sqft) land in a highly exclusive residential neighborhood doesn’t provide the luxury of space to accommodate open areas that bring natural light and ventilation into the house. The existing courtyard was enhanced while a rear garden & a new light well were introduced to light up and ventilate the house thereby infusing a semblance of spaciousness.

The Looper is a customisable luxury accommodation pod developed by Nomadic Resorts for the (eco) hospitality industry. This tensile membrane structure is designed for rapid construction of eco-resorts, wellness retreats and wilderness camps in isolated and/or environmentally sensitive sites. The first Loopers were commissioned by Wild Coast Tented Lodge (WCTL), a unique 36-tent safari camp located near Yala National Park in the south of Sri Lanka. The bespoke interior was designed by Bo Reudler Studio.

The Rock Bungalow was designed as a holiday retreat, for a family of four, living overseas.  This bungalow was designed under many restrictions. The client had numerous requirements as well as astrological concerns with regards to orientation and siting of certain spaces, which influenced the form and shape of the building. This made it difficult to use most of the bioclimatic design strategies but managed to incorporate various other ecologically sustainable strategies into the design. The astonishing features of the rocky area of the 2 hectares’ site, left looking like a barren land, after intruders had carted away some of the topsoil in an unauthorized manner, leaving a huge patch of area exposed with cut trenches.  The design attempted to heal the site, by sitting the building exactly in this particular location with the two remaining rock areas, which was considered as the most inspirational natural feature to navigate the design theme.

“Unbounded” spacious journey is a house designed for a young couple, within a limited land extent of 10.5 perch. The attempt of this design was to give maximum freedom and space. With the idea of getting rid of compacted spaces within a limited extent of land, ‘’ unbounded ‘’ was designed. At a time period where people’s focus mainly directs upon the appearance of the facades/ elevation, there was a need to convince how important it is to consider comfortability of the living spaces and about having the best atmosphere to spend one’s entire life.

Set in the outskirts of the suburb township of Horana, located in 47 Km from the capital city of Colombo, in a lush sloping plot of land overlooking paddy fields and greenery, the Atrium House, as per its namesake, is a unique, compact design which is centered over a sunlit atrium at the heart of the building. The central atrium of the house is where the living spaces and circulation converge, and its presence is further enhanced by the grand vista of the green landscape beyond, all which are attuned to the spatial presence of the atrium. Even as one enters the house, the tunnel-like entry foyer treats the visitor to a surprise atrium vista of the landscape. Such framing of views between what is within and without, combined with free flowing spaces is a recurring feature of the house, which leads to an increasingly pleasant experience of space.

The home is inspired from the detailing and composition of the Dutch Colonial architecture expressing a contemporary feeling. Orientating the building to exposes the most out to the captive Bolgoda Lake and placing it to preserve the large garden area the building takes you through a journey towards the lake through articulations of space, volume and light.