Geoffrey Bawa was an iconic person in Sri Lankan architecture in 20^th Century and he has left his footprint of unique influential architecture era.  Sir Geoffrey Bawa was born on 23^rd of July 1919 in Colombo. His father Benjamin William Bawa who was a wealthy and successful Muslim Lawyer of Sri Lankan and European parentage. Bertha Marianne Nee Schrader is the mother of Geoffrey Bawa who was a mixed of German, Scottish and Sinhalese descent. The older brother of Geoffrey, Bevis Bawa became a renowned landscape architect.  Young Geoffrey did his initial studies of technology at Royal College, Colombo and then went to Catherine’s College in Cambridge, England in 1933 to study English and Law. After taking his BA in English Literature Triops , he studied law at the Middle Temple in London becoming a barrister.

He returned to Sri Lanka after the Second World War and after his mother’s death in 1946, he worked in a law firm in Colombo. However being a lawyer was not in his interest and was not his passion, he left Sri Lanka, went to United States and then to Europe. Geoffrey Bawa returned to Sri Lanka again in 1948. After his return he saw a beautiful abandoned estate which has a beautiful landscape, a garden which was full of Cinnamon and Rubber. Also he saw a beautiful estate Bungalow in the estate.  This place was lately called “Lunuganga Estate” and Lunuganga was the turning point of his life and was to become the mainspring for his architecture career. Architectural Tours in Sri Lanka

The work of Geoffrey Bawa was mainly influenced by “Tropical Modernism” style.  Tropical Modernism is a known architectural style for its wide and open space, connect with the nature, increased ventilation, and focus on local materials. Architectural Tours in Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Bawa’s work was mainly in Sri Lanka but he has done several projects in India, Fifi, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Mauritius. His works include hotels, government buildings, house, estate bungalows, schools, clubs and office Buildings. Among those creations, the most notable one is the Sri Lanka’s present Parliament Building which is located in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.

During your tour of Sri Lanka, we bring you to his finest creations of works. Also we customize a round tour where you can accommodate at themed hotels & villas designed by Geoffrey Bawa. Architectural Tours in Sri Lanka

• Lunuganga Garden and the Bawa house, Bentota (The first work of Geoffrey Bawa)
• Seema Malaka, Colombo
• Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla
• Heritance Ahungalla Hotel, Ahungalla
• Bishop’s College, Colombo
• Paradise Road Gallery Café, Colombo (The office of Geoffrey Bawa)
• Number 11 –Geoffrey Bawa House, Colombo
• Steel Corporation Office Building , Oruwela
• New Parliament Building, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte
• University of Ruhuna, Matara
• Lighthouse Hotel, Galle
• Blue Water Hotel, Wadduwa
• Jetwing Lagoon Hotel, Negombo (Geoffrey Bawa’s First resort Creation)
• Paradise the Villa Bentota , Bentota
• Avani Bentota Resort & Spa, Bentota
• Anantara Kalutara Resort, Kalutara
• Club Villa Bentota, Bentota
• The Last House, Tangalle (The Last work of Geoffrey Bawa)

Airport Pick up and Stay at Bawa’s first Resort

You will be greeted and welcome by our chauffeur guide from Colombo International Airport. He will transfer you to “Jetwing Lagoon” Luxury five star boutique hotel in Negombo which is just a 20 minutes drive from the Airport. Jetwing Lagoon hotel is one of first Geoffrey Bawa’s hotel projects. Architectural Tours in Sri Lanka

*You will have a relaxing and a luxurious first night at Jetwing Lagoon hotel, Negombo

8^th Wonder of the ancient World and two nights at Bawa’s terrific Kandalama Hotel

Our chauffeur guide will pick up you from Jetwing Lagoon Hotel after your breakfast and will transfer you to the country’s most popular cultural triangle site ‘Dambulla’. Explore the eighth wonder of the Ancient world “Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress” in Sigiriya. Architectural Tours in Sri Lanka

After the Sigiriya Lion Rock, you will be transferred to five star luxury hotel “Heritance Kandalama” Hotel for your second night. Heritance Kandalama is one of major & iconic hotel projects of Geoffrey Bawa. Architectural Tours in Sri Lanka

*Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla

Explore the medieval capital & Minneriya Safari experience

After your breakfast, you will be transferred to the second & the medieval capital of Ancient Sri Lanka “Polonnaruwa Ancient City”. Explore the ancient city & ruins which are belong to 11^th – 13^th Century. You will be amazed by the ancient engineering technology and the ancient architecture of Polonnaruwa Ancient City.

After the ancient tour, our chauffeur guide will bring you to the Minneriya National Park for a wild life experience. Do a private safari jeep tour of Minneriya National park.  Minneriya National park is one of the best places in the world to spot large herds of Asian Wild elephants.

*Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla

Two nights in the Hills and the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka – Kandy

Leave from Kandalama Hotel and you will be transferred to your next destination “Kandy”. Kandy is the second capital after Colombo and the last kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka. Also it’s the main city of the hill country which is surrounded by lush country side. En route to Kandy, our chauffeur guide will bring you to the most fascinating ancient Buddhist Temple of the country “Dambulla Cave Temple” complex.

Reach Kandy, visit the most venerable Buddhist temple in the Buddhist World “The Tooth Relic temple of Lord Buddha”.

Check into the five star boutique and an ancestral manor house which was built in 1804- “The Kandy House”. Have a relaxing evening at the Kandy house whilst experiencing the ancient Kandyan Style architecture and its features of the manor house.

*Overnight stay at The Kandy House Boutique Hotel, Kandy

Royal Botanical Garden and explore the Kandy City

Relax at the hotel in the morning. You will be picked up by the chauffeur guide in the evening ( time is flexible) to explore the city of Kandy. Visit the largest and the most scenic Botanical Garden of Sri Lanka “Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden” which was established in 1821. Have a nice walk whilst having a great experience of rare plants. After the botanical Garden, have a nice walk in the town center of Kandy, Visit Bahirawakanda Buddhist Temple which is located on top of a hill which has a breathtaking view of the entire Kandy city.

Overnight at The Kandy House Boutique Hotel, Kandy

Unwind at Bawa’s finest villa creation- Club Villa Bentota

You will be transferred to the popular tourist hotspot which is located on the southwest of Sri Lanka- Bentota. Check in to the “Club Villa Bentota” which one of finest creation of Geoffrey Bawa. Club villa will give you a luxurious elegant living styles along with the tranquility. Architectural Tours in Sri Lanka

*Relax & Overnight stay at Club Villa Bentota

Visit Bawa’s House and his first creation- Lunuganga Bawa House

Visit and explore the house of Geoffrey Bawa “Lunuganga Garden house”. Lunuganga was the first creation of Bawa as well as his private residence. Also this is the place that inspired Geoffrey Bawa to study architecture.  You will explore his entire property with a member of a Geoffrey Bawa Trust Project.

(The visiting times of his house is 09.30am, 11.30am, 02.00pm and 3.30pm from Monday to Sunday).

*Overnight stay at Club Villa Bentota

Stop at Lighthouse Hotel, Galle and Stay at Bawa’s final creation –The Last House.

Leave from Club Villa Bentota and travel to one of most scenic pristine beaches of Sri Lanka – Tangalle. En route, visit the Colonial Heritage City of Galle and stop at “Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel”. Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel is one of final projects of Geoffrey Bawa. You may enjoy a cup of tea or you can have a delicious lunch whilst enjoying the view of the Indian Ocean from the scenic restaurant at Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel.

After visiting Jetwing Lighthouse hotel, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the colonial city of Galle “Galle Dutch Fort”. Galle Dutch Fort represents the European architectures styles mixed with the local styles. This place was originally built by Portuguese 1588 and in 17^th Century Dutch took over this place from Portuguese. They fortified this place into a complete Dutch Fort in 1649.

Proceed to The Last House Tangalle after the Galle Dutch Fort. En route stop at “University of Ruhuna” which is one of major creations of Geoffrey Bawa.

Check in to The Last House, Tangalle. The Last House is the final creation of Geoffrey Bawa’s brand of architecture. This six bedroomed sea side luxury boutique hotel will give you a true phase of relaxing and peaceful stay.

*Overnight stay at The Last House, Tangalle

Unwind at the Last House and Pristine Mawella Beach

You will spend your last four days at The Last House whilst enjoying the Mawella Beach, the serenity of the surrounding and delicious tropical food.

Colombo City tour & visit Bawa’s House- Number 11

Leave from the last house Tangalle after your breakfast and travel to the Commercial capital of Sri Lanka- Colombo. Do the city tour of Colombo. First visit the Colombo house of Geoffrey Bawa “Number 11” which was created in 1960s.

After the visiting the Number 11 House, Spot the New Parliament Building of Sri Lanka which is the notable creation of Geoffrey Bawa. Visit BMICH Conference Hall, Independence Square Building, Lotus Theater, Lotus Pond, Town Hall of Colombo, Galle Face Green and visit Seema Malaka Buddhist Temple which one of a great creation of Geoffrey Bawa.

*You will stay at Jetwing Colombo Seven

Say Good bye until see you again

You will be picked up from Jetwing Colombo Seven Hotel and transferred to Colombo International Airport by our chauffeur guide for your flight back home.  Say good bye until see you again for another Sri Lankan adventure with us.