Personalized Residence at Kalalgoda, Sri Lanka

Despite being on a narrow plot where the front of the land faces the entrance road while the rear faces an endless serene paddy field, the house is designed for its tropical context to achieve ideal north-south orientation. The house captures natural ventilation from the paddy field to create a comfortable and cool atmosphere within. The free-flowing and minimalistic dwelling fulfils the desire of the client to connect with nature by sculpting views towards the paddy field. The framed view of the paddy field upon entry, along with the use of cool earthy colours that reflect the greenery of nature, help blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. This creates an overall tranquil experience and a feel that nature is brought into the inner spaces. The public spaces of this two-storied house open into the partially open to sky central double-height space, which features a reflective pond, an exposed brick wall and two modest ‘Dan’ trees. The subtle variations in texture and material finishes varying from reused railway sleepers to exposed brick act in harmony to create a charming ambience, enhanced by the play of light and shadow on the brick wall throughout the day. The vertical timber screen positioned along the access road facing windows on the first floor ensures both privacy and natural ventilation. The careful incorporation of existing trees and terraces in upper levels create interesting spaces adorned with tree canopies, allowing the residents to enjoy the delights of relaxation.