Palinda Kannangara designs an artists' retreat in Colombo

Courtyard with wooden bench, table and two white modern chairs

On the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Palinda Kannangara architects has designed an artists' retreat that is a layered series of interior and exterior courtyards. Photography: Sebastian Posingis

(Image credit: Sebastian Posingis)

By Harriet Thorpe

last updated 7 October 2022

Palinda Kannangara architects has designed a retreat for Sri Lankan artist JC Ratnayake and his wife, Thanuja, a printmaker. The dwelling, gallery and studio is comprised of a series of layered courtyards embedded into a sloping plot on the edge of the paddy fields of Pittugala, a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The architecture is reflective of the artists’ lifestyle; a space where they can work, store and exhibit their work, entertain as members of the community and relax with friends or alone, together with family. Ratnayake’s painting can be seen hanging in the open plan living space, that also becomes a gallery space for exhibitions.

Ratnayake grew up in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa amidst architectural ruins of the historical site, and here on the edge of the paddy fields, the wildness of nature encroaches in a reminiscent way. Alternating indoor and outdoor courtyards are landscaped with creeping paddy fringe species, such as the Alocasia, and other locally sourced plants, which landscape architect Varna Shashidhar sourced from Diyatha Uyana, a market in Colombo selling plants grown in the rural communities.

Pond filled with lilies and other plants — The rooftop garden, connected to the master bedroom by a bridge, has a pond filled with water lilies and freshwater fish. Photography: Sebastian Posingis

The studio space is positioned at the lowest level of the building, with views into the gardens and paddy fields beyond. Its high ceilings leave plenty of space for Ratnayake’s large scale paintings, as well as ample storage. Air flows freely through the whole retreat through voids in the exterior brickwork and the ground floor has no doors at all, shaded and sheltered by the courtyard gardens and the inclining terrain of the land. The whole design evokes a wabi sabi aesthetic, reflecting the values of the artists, with low maintenance surfaces of raw, exposed materials, that are tactile and pure – polished cut cement floors, unplastered brick walls, steps made of local rubble, and recycled timber of varying species.

While the ground floor is an open plan and social space for dialogues with other artists and members of the community, the upper floors, where there are three bedrooms, is an oasis of calm planned around a lily pond filled with freshwater fish. Upstairs the interiors are softer; there are sliding glass windows and the brickwork is plastered with an ochre-hued earth pigment, a reference to the colour of the Sri Lankan landscape and ancient Buddhist temples.

Architect and client collaborated closely across the design and construction processes; the artists managed the project themselves and worked with a local ‘Bass’ workman, commissioning handcrafted parts and saving on budget. Every element of the retreat seems to have its own story; the old bakers table was modified and adapted by the architects to become and expansive work top or dining table, while a cupboard made from reclaimed materials was painted by the 8-year-old daughter of the artists – making Ratnayake’s retreat a truly collaborative effort.

Rustic stairs and view of courtyard with large leaved green plants — A series of wide steps reminiscent of Sri Lankan monastic gardens connect the spaces and act as an overflow space for seating and socialising

Downstairs entrance to large wooden dining table and chairs — An old bakers table was modified and adapted by the architects to become and expansive work top or dining table for the artists

Inside view of living space with stained wooden furniture — Wild plants are always encroaching into the living and working spaces

Courtyard view with brick walls and green plants — The ground floor which features exposed brick walls is completely open to the courtyard gardens providing natural ventilation

Storage area between two sets of stiars — Storage for artwork is encompassed into the plan of the retreat

Stairs surrounded by brick walls and green plants in garden — The exterior brick walls are peppered with voids that allow the breeze from the surrounding paddy fields to filter through into the layered complex

Dark blue sofa, coffee table in living area — Upstairs the walls are plastered with an ochre-hued earth pigment, a reference to the colour of the Sri Lankan landscape and ancient Buddhist temples

Seating area looking out onto green courtyard garden — JC Ratnayake’s painting can be seen hanging in the open plan living space, that also becomes a gallery space for exhibitions

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Palinda Kannagara website (opens in new tab)

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Harriet Thorpe is a writer, journalist and editor covering architecture, design and culture, with particular interest in sustainability, 20th-century architecture and community. After studying History of Art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Journalism at City University in London, she developed her interest in architecture working at Wallpaper* magazine and today contributes to Wallpaper*, The World of Interiors and Icon magazine, amongst other titles. She is author of The Sustainable City (2022, Hoxton Mini Press), a book about sustainable architecture in London, and the Modern Cambridge Map (2023, Blue Crow Media), a map of 20th-century architecture in Cambridge, the city where she grew up.