While checking the Things-To-Do listings for Bentota on a recent vacation, Lunuganga grabbed my attention. The Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa – considered one of the most influential Asian architects of the century. The estate offers a guided walk of the estate & its garden. The steep entry fee didn’t deter us from enthusiastically including it into our itinerary.

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Bawa has recycled quite a bit of woodwork from older buildings in the area. Some of them left dilapidated as it were, and the rest refurbished to fit into the decor.  This one is in the Yellow Courtyard.

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A concrete slab table set in an open sit out.

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The Glass Room is one of the living rooms that is now rented for tourists. Bringing the outside in using glass is a common theme across many of the rooms at Lunuganga.

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A sit out in the main living area was my absolutely favourite spot in the estate. It opens up to the Western Terrace & offers some fantastic views (next 5 pictures below).

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Almost every sitting area has a view of a water body.

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Apparently this tree “structure” too was designed by Bawa. Two saplings were brought together & their branches shaped with gentle weights during the course of their growing years to give this shape. The shape has visual appeal & also served as peacock sitting areas.

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A lot many of these Ming vases dot the estate.

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Many interesting artefacts even within the living area makes every nook & corner an interesting place.

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Water & green are maximized in almost every view within the estate – makes for a very serene & peaceful setting.  

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A lot many of these statuettes scattered across the estate lend that quirkiness to the place.
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The Gate House at the foot of a hillock offers an impressive sight & also houses a residential suite.

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A view of the main living quarters overlooking a man made valley.

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There are spots around the estate where Bawa used to sit to soak in the environs. Each of these sitting spots has a bell that produces a unique sound. These bells were used by Bawa to summon his staff to where he was located in the estate.

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Apparently an Italian garden was Bawa’s inspiration to create Lunuganga Estate. The various statuettes & structures are reminiscent of this source of inspiration.

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Frangipanis are wonderfully spread across the estate.

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Check http://www.lunuganga.com/ for more information on the Lunuganga Estate.

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