The Bawa Factor

I've just had a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka and I am still brimming with enthusiasm about the place. If you are interested in modern Asian architecture, this is definitely the place to visit. Long before modern minimalism became popular in Asia, Sri Lanka had its own movement growing under the influence of the late (and gifted) Geoffrey Bawa.

Bawa started by transplanting European designs but later developed his own version of tropical minimalism. He experimented with creating bold geometric structures using local natural materials. But don't mistake the Bawa look for Balinese exoticism. I don't think Mr Bawa had a lot of patience little decorative things other than what nature has to offer. What I love most about the Bawa style is the signature courtyards - wide and airy in the shadows of tranquil frangipani trees. 

Here are some photos of the newly built Era Beach Hotel in Thalpe. I think the designers stayed true to quite a number of Bawa elements. 

By the way, this is what Era Beach is most famous for - the weather-hardened stick fishermen.