Geoffrey Bawa

This is a definitive and comprehensive monograph on one of the 20th century's greatest architects, Geoffrey Bawa, whose influence has extended to garden and landscape design.

An updated book including the full range of Sri-Lankan born Geoffrey Bawa's architectural designs. It examines the Kandalama Hotel in Dambullah, the house on the Cinnamon Hill at Lunuganga, and his achievements in Sri Lanka and other parts of southern Asia. Personal in his approach, Bawa balances an appreciation of the western humanist tradition in architecture with local needs and lifestyles.

The story of two talented landscape designer brothers and their exquisite gardens set in the lush landscape of Sri Lanka The work of architect Geoffrey Bawa achieved a unique fusion of vernacular style and modern construction incorporating the lush tropical landscape of his native Sri Lanka. Although his architectural work and its influence have been well documented, less attention has been paid to his work on gardens. His most famous garden is the one he created for himself at his estate, Lunuganga, and it is rivaled by Brief, the lesser-known garden of his brother, Bevis. Evolving over several decades, these two gardens and their outbuildings and sculptures represent high points of tropical design, in which architecture and landscape are intertwined. Bawa: The Sri Lanka Gardens is the story of two brothers and their exquisite gardens. It begins with an overview of Sri Lanka’s rich horticultural tradition and the cultural background that inspired the Bawas’ sensitive treatment of architecture, and then records the familial relationship between Geoffrey and Bevis Bawa, and their distinctive individual differences and inspirations. David Robson takes the reader on a tour around Brief and Lunuganga through rich photo essays and revealing descriptions, while glorious images reveal the aesthetic considerations and architectural mastery of the gardens’ creators.

This book is all about giving the readers a peek view into the life of Geoffrey Bawa; Sri Lanka’s most famous architect… a book that reveals an insight into his work through his most famous projects accompanied by beautiful hand drawn illustrations. Alluring and simply authentic, these self-narrative illustrations are a result of a personal experience. This book will give readers an understanding of how successfully Geoffrey Bawa had inculcated spaces, vistas and landscape with that of the built environment bringing about a touch of Modern Tropism and fusing it together with the rich culture and traditions of Sri Lanka.

This book answers some important questions about Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's pre-eminent architect, and his legacy. A sizeable introduction to Bawa's world, life, education and work is reviewed by eminent Bawa scholar, David Robson. This precedes a site-by-site tour of 45 of his buildings scatterd throughout Sri Lanka, Many are considered "pilgrimage sites" by up-and-coming architects, designers and lay people interested in his extraordinary and enduring talent. Insightful texts, contemporary and archive photographs and a plethora of drawings illustrate the individual buildings that range from private dwellings to public buildings, schools and hotels. Each is representative of Bawa's pioneering work on tropical modernism. The book ends with a brief section on buildings that have been transformed, lost or are at risk for one reason or another

One of the most influential names in Sri Lankan architecture,Geoffrey Bawa is represented here through images of his houses,hotels, public buildings, and the famous complex at Lunuganga Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa was among the most influential figures in South Asia in the latter half of the twentieth century. In houses, hotels, public buildings, and perhaps his greatest achievement, his residential complex in Lunuganga, Bawa achieved the harmonious and pleasurable fusion of local building traditions with modern forms. His legacy lives on in current architectural practice and remains an important source of inspiration for generations of architects. Bawa was the principal force behind what is today known globally as “tropical modernism,” and examples of his ideas can be found in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Bali, and in resorts and residences throughout wider Asia.The book first presents a useful overview of Bawa and his contribution to contemporary architecture. The main section highlights the achievements of twenty-four contemporary architects, ranging from well-known practitioners such as Australian Kerry Hill to local talents such as Sri Lankan Anjalendran. The works they have created over the past ten years reveal the long-lasting significance of Bawa’s approach to building and the landscape.

Aimed at architecture students and professionals. Bawa Staircases offers the reader a primer of how staircases are often the most dynamic and theatrical spatial elements of a building or landscape. It is a compelling addition to the literature on Sri Lanka's preeminent architect, Geoffrey Bawa and showcases his numerous and varied architectural and landscape designs for residential, public works, gardens and hotel architecture, with particular reference to the staircases he created. Throughout, lush photography by Sebastian Posingis and insightful texts by David Robson are accompanied by contextual shots, plans and illustrations, all illustrating this absorbing island and the work of an architectural master.