Geoffrey Bawa Colombo home - Number 11 is open to the public for guided tours by appointments.
Visitors to Number 11 is greeted by acid etched translucent sun god glass panel designed by artist Laki Senanayke, while the sunburst batik in the side wall is by Ena de Silva. A small waiting space beyond the cars is graced by an elegant Dutch period sofa and a metal banded chair designed for Kandalama hotel and is lit from the above by a discreet rooflight.
Here are the two cars that were Geoffrey Bawa's pride and joy, a 1934 "Drophead Coupe" Rolls Royce and 1953 Mercedes 300 Coupe attract attention of visitors. The long corridor leading to the main house is light up by series of light wells and here any one is struck by an unbearable lightness - white floor, white walls, white ceiling - and a sense of mystery and anticipation.
The pool court of water at the end of long corridor is framed by a row of Chettinad columns. To the left a pair of doors are copies of doors painted by Donald Friend - the originals are now in the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A tera cotta horse head sits between two of the Chettnad columns and nudges the visitors to the right through the former front door of the original bungalow leading to the open sitting area which functioned as the heart of the house. Here Geoffrey Bawa would sit with the morning newspapers or entertain his friends, listen to their gossip and share with them a gin and tonic. Most of the furniture in this space started life as a prototype for new designs in one or other of his hotels.At the cross roads of the house on left, a pair of doors open into Geoffrey Bawa's bedroom and inner sanctum, its bed framed by an 18th century somana from South India, a gift from Ena de Silva.
Make a visit to architect's home to explore the the design of this architectural marvel and his collection of arts and artifacts ..... Call on (94) 11 2589212 for appointments.
Visiting LUNUGANGA GARDEN, Geoffrey Bawa's Country Estate near Bentota..... Call on (94) 0344 287051 or 0344 287056
