Architecture in the West Coast

The west coast is one of the best places to go if you are interested in exploring architecture in Sri Lanka, as it is home to several masterpieces designed by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s iconic architect who has been dubbed ‘the father of Asian architecture’.

Bawa had a great appreciation of natural elements – the tropical sun, oceans, lush greenery and flowing water – and incorporated them in his designs, striving to create a seamless transition between the outside environment and the building. He challenged the concept that ‘indoors’ and ‘outdoors’ must be opposing, and blended them together using elements such as shaded walkways, wide indoor courtyards and open verandas. This innovative architectural style came to be known as tropical modernism.

Bawa also had an insatiable passion for the island’s varying natural landscapes and used beautiful vistas as the focal points around which he created his works. He also had a deep understanding of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and drew ideas for his designs from the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa as well as later colonial influences from Europe.

Visit Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa’s country home, a Renaissance-inspired tropical garden and plantation house just 30 minutes inland from Bentota’s golden beaches. Originally an abandoned rubber plantation, Bawa spent 50 years transforming it into his private tropical paradise, using the land as a place to experiment with landscape architecture. Bevis Bawa, Geoffrey’s older brother, also designed some beautiful gardens that are well worth exploring, called Brief Gardens.

As well as seeing Lunuganga, travelers can stay in one of the hotels he designed, many of which are on the west coast – Heritance Ahungalla, Club Villa and The Villa Bentota are all enchanting examples of Geoffrey Bawa’s prowess as an architect.