The project , a wellness retreat, comprising of 8 rooms and an additional 2 villas with a public component of a reception, restaurant, spa, meditation areas and a swimming pool.  A small built footprint on 4.6 acre site in the hot dry zone of central Sri Lanka in Habarana. Near  scenic Habarana tank , a biodiversity hot spot and proximal to cultural triangle of ancient cities and landscape monuments including Sigiriya. The place was envisaged as retreat where agrarian landscape, culture and biodiversity intersect. A space for contemplation, psychological wellness, a meditative and relaxing retreat for rejuvenation of the mind body and soul.  The site is edged by a paddy fields and a stream, had several large scrub jungle trees therefore preserving the existing trees, conserving and holding rain water at site and creating a culturally and regionally appropriate language for the design was the vision. 

Connected to the context: The project is rooted to the Buddhist monastic history of ruins and gardens of the region. Sunyata / Nothingness or a reductive minimalism so part of the monasteries and associated gardens intrinsic to Theravada Buddhism inspired the minimalism of the spaces. Reflected in the architecture, interior design and landscape. The built are simple structure inspired by the vernacular rest pavilions / ambalamas , that appear to float over the grasscape.  Spine of Movement/Mediation pathway:  A central raised pathway, a key feature of the design weaves through the existing trees (saving all of them ), acts as a connecting spine for the built spaces ( reception /lounge, the fine dining restaurant, spa) but also as a path of walking mediation.  This spine negotiates the landscape in a fluid way, lifted from the ground to avoid reptiles and detailed with carefully with brick. The sinuous brick spine of movement has a pervious sand surface are inspired by the walking pathways of Buddhist gardens. Detailed to appear to float over the natural grassland landscape, and weave around the trees. Pathway / Journey starts at a specially designed timber bridge over a gurgling stream and ending with the still mediation circle  beneath the trees canopies.  

A series of water harvesting ponds have built around the existing vegetation creating a fluid reflective edge to the public spaces. The fine dining restaurant appears like a floating lantern, the gable roof extends beyond the grid into the water, and the grid melds with the water. There wide eaves have been provided against the monsoonal rains. The public building includes a reception, fine dining which have been conceptualized as light pavilions, passively ventilated connecting the guest with the views of water, paddy and experience of the biodiversity on site. The project has two single room clusters with 4 units each, 2 individual villas that more private surrounded by constructed rain water wetlands. Each offer panoramic paddy/wilderness views.  

Details of Construction Materials:

Material palette of brick & timber are of great simplicity and are derived from the language of the ruins of the region. The flooring in the public areas comprise of a dark stone and in the rooms timber flooring.

The language of the roofs especially of the reception and fine dinin areas to provide deep shade yet totally open to the surrounding

Detailing of the bridge  ponds,and raised pathway to enable an experience of the seasonal qualities of the landscape.( dry and water filled, that moss covered seasonally) 

The rooms too deeply shaded have  balconies, decks, benches as handrails and specially designed and crafted timber windows that enable connections with the outdooers9. Custom designed and built furniture 

Special features: 

The architecture aims to be simple pavilions within the landscape. 

The meditative pathway is built around the existing trees and thus saving all the site trees. 

Rain water harvesting structures and monsoonal ponds have been built and are a part of this pathway experience, harvesting water and as overflow zones during floods but also providing a tranquil experience, augmenting biodiversity, apart from cooling the breezes that enter the built spaces.