Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

The Birth of Tropical Modernism: A Pilgrimage to Architect Geoffrey Bawa’s Country Estate in Sri Lanka

Search

The Birth of Tropical Modernism: A Pilgrimage to Architect Geoffrey Bawa’s Country Estate in Sri Lanka

August 3, 2018

Born in 1919 in what was then British Ceylon—now the island nation of Sri Lanka—Geoffrey Bawa was a lawyer, who, after a dramatic career pivot, went on to become his country’s most celebrated architect. His influential style (see, for instance, Amanresorts and the best of Ralph Lauren) is gracious, minimalist, extraordinarily considered, and all about modern indoor-outdoor living, mossy patina included. And it remains fresh-looking 15 years after Bawa’s demise in 2003.

When we were discussing houses to illustrate our tropical modernism theme this week, we could think of no better example than Lunuganga, Bawa’s own lakeside estate, which, over the course of 50 years, he treated as his creative lab (it was an abandoned British rubber plantation when he took over; working on its garden is what led him to enroll in architecture school in London when he was 34). He became an equally gifted landscape designer and his attention to every element in his quarters, from tree branches to table lamps, led to the creation of his sultry but clean-lined version of design that’s one with the elements.

Spread over approximately 15 acres, Bawa’s weekend place is planted not only with frangipani trees, water gardens, rice paddies, and Greek sculptures, but with a range of living quarters, all with sitting areas, courtyards, verandas, and vistas positioned to take in the lake and garden views. It’s now run by the Geoffrey Bawa Trust and is open to visitors; it also operates as a six-suite guesthouse that ranks as the best Airbnb listing we’ve ever come across. Join us for a look at this magical retreat captured by two architectural photographers, Dominic Sansoni, a family friend of Bawa’s, and Sebastian Posingis, who shot David Robson’s 2016 monograph, In Search of Bawa.

located two hours south of colombo, the capital, where bawa lived during the we 17
Above: Located two hours south of Colombo, the capital, where Bawa lived during the week, the property was initially a Dutch cinnamon estate and later a rubber farm. Bawa shored up the original house and preserved its terracotta-tiled roof.

Photographer Dominic Sansoni tells us that Bawa’s friend Ray Wijewardene, an inventor, pilot, and authority on tropical farming, once arrived at Lunuganga by light aircraft: “He was aiming for the lawn but landed on the roof by mistake. Looking down, he said, ‘I’m terribly sorry, Geoffrey.'” Photograph by Dominic Sansoni.

bawa is said to have continually tweaked all of the details at lunuganga— 18
Above: Bawa is said to have continually tweaked all of the details at Lunuganga—going so far as to apply weights to tree limbs to improve the views. In the main house, he made the original back entrance the front. Its grand black-and-white double doors open to a lush courtyard. Photograph by Dominic Sansoni.
bawa took a pan cultural approach to design and adeptly mingled the old and wit 19
Above: Bawa took a pan-cultural approach to design and adeptly mingled the old and with the new. In the main living room, potted palms tower over colonial antiques and modernist designs, including Poul Henningsen’s 1958 PH Artichoke Lamp. (Bawa was not a fan of air-conditioning: For something like his wooden ceiling fan, go to 10 Easy Pieces.) Photograph by Sebastian Posingis.
the estate sits on the shore of dedduwa lake. bawa described his retreat as &am 20
Above: The estate sits on the shore of Dedduwa Lake. Bawa described his retreat as “a place of continued varied sensations.” Photograph by Sebastian Posingis.
painted sliding doors open to an airy space with a mezzanine known as the sande 21
Above: Painted sliding doors open to an airy space with a mezzanine known as the Sandela Pavilion. Bawa biographer David Robson explained to us that Bawa built the structure from salvaged parts in 1982 while he had two vast projects under way—Sri Lanka’s parliament building and Ruhuna University. “Sandela was intended to serve as an office for GB when he brought assistants down to work over weekends.”

“I don’t suppose that the assistants ever did more than hover behind GB whilst he sketched,” adds Robson. “In fact, the Sandela’s main purpose seems to have been to put GB in a position of control. His chair sits at the meeting of two important axes: He could see anyone who arrived at the foot of the South Terrace stairs and he had a lovely view out toward the lake, but he could also look down from the window and see anyone who arrived at the main gate. There’s a nice story: Some official Japanese visitors came and said of the Sandela, ‘Very beautiful Mr. Bawa! So ancient! How old? GB replied, ‘Oh, about six weeks.'” Photograph by Dominic Sansoni.

there are six suites spread across the property; this one, the gallery room, is 22
Above: There are six suites spread across the property; this one, the Gallery Room, is an art gallery with a canopied bed in the middle of it. The bedrooms are preserved as they were in Bawa’s day and are open to overnight guests. Photograph by Sebastian Posingis.
the gallery has a strikingly contemporary looking concrete bathroom with a claw 23
Above: The Gallery has a strikingly contemporary-looking concrete bathroom with a clawfoot tub situated under the rafters. Note the concrete counter with integrated sink. Admiring the skirting? See New Old Trend: 10 Fresh Examples of Sink Skirts and Counter Curtains. Photograph by Sebastian Posingis.
lunuganga geoffrey bawa the eastern terrace the galleries dominic sansoni photo 6
Above: The Gallery was also designed for the contemplation of nature. The teak chair is on wheels to make it easy to move from indoors to out. Photograph by Dominic Sansoni.
bawa built the glass room, another guest suite, in the \1980s using salvaged ol 25
Above: Bawa built the Glass Room, another guest suite, in the 1980s using salvaged old windows, in front of which he positioned a graceful antique bench that had belonged to his parents.

In Bawa’s obituary that appeared in The Guardian in 2003, David Robson credited him with “the development of an architecture that was a blend of both modern and traditional, of east and west, of formal and picturesque, that broke down the barriers between inside and outside, between building and landscape, and that offered a blueprint for new ways to live and work in a tropical city.” Photograph by Sebastian Posingis.

the water garden. &#8\2\20;this is not a garden of colorful flowers, neat b 26
Above: The water garden. “This is not a garden of colorful flowers, neat borders, and gurgling fountains,” commented The Archi Blog, “it is a civilized wilderness.” Photograph by Sebastian Posingis.

To see more and for information on visits, go to the Geoffrey Bawa Trust. Also go to our photographers’ joint site, Three Blind Men Photography. And stay tuned: David Robson’s latest book, Bawa Staircases, is out in spring 2019.

For another alluring Sri Lankan destination, take a look at Sunshine Stories Surf Camp.

(Visited 4,406 times, 5 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Geoffrey Bawa?

Geoffrey Bawa is a Sri Lankan architect who is known for pioneering the Tropical Modernism movement in architecture and design.

What is Lunuganga Country Estate?

Lunuganga Country Estate is a property in Sri Lanka that was purchased by Geoffrey Bawa in 1947. He transformed it into his personal residence and experimental design laboratory.

What is Tropical Modernism?

Tropical Modernism is an architectural movement that combines modernist design principles with traditional tropical vernacular architecture. It emphasizes sustainability, local materials, and a connection to the surrounding natural environment.

Can visitors tour Lunuganga Country Estate?

Yes, visitors can tour Lunuganga Country Estate by appointment. There are guided tours available that offer insight into Geoffrey Bawa's life and design philosophy.

What are some notable features of Lunuganga Country Estate?

Lunuganga Country Estate features a variety of gardens, water features, pavilions, and sculptures that are integrated into the natural landscape. It also includes several residential buildings that showcase Bawa's innovative design ideas, such as the Round House and the Glass House.

What is the best way to get to Lunuganga Country Estate?

Lunuganga Country Estate is located in Bentota, Sri Lanka, which is about a 2-hour drive from Colombo. Visitors can also take a train to the nearby Aluthgama station and then hire a taxi or tuk-tuk to take them to the property.

Product summary  

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0