Residence for relaxation on Sri Lanka25 photos

Matale Holiday Retreat is a 160 square meter residence on Sri Lanka designed as a place of rest, and everything in it invites peaceful contemplation. The building, designed by Thisara Thanapathy Architects, stands at the center of a valley enclosed by a crescent of mountain ranges. The elongated linear structure does not dominate the landscape but seeks to be barely noticeable part of it. This light structure, resting on pillars, minimizes damage to vegetation, allowing sunlight and rain to reach the ground freely. Since the building is elevated on columns, airflow cools it down. Wooden lattices used in the second-level bedrooms ensure sufficient natural ventilation. A thin metal roof with overhanging eaves provides shade for the house.

Approach the building along a long pathway beside the long wall. The path ends at a wooden viewing platform positioned perpendicular to it. This terrace cuts through the building and is located in the center of a vast space surrounded by mountainous terrain, fully allowing one to experience its grandeur. From this viewing platform, a patch of rice field can also be seen, an integral part of the local landscape. While views from the dining room and bedrooms encompass only isolated parts of the scenery, the far end of the terrace offers a dramatic and captivating view over the vast area extending all the way to the mountain range.

Photos: Waruna Gomis