century2. Bawa as “Regionalist” Architect of 20 th

Bawa as “Regionalist” Architect of 20 th century

Geoffrey Bawa is one of the most prominent regionalist architect around the late 20 th

century. The way he transformed South East Asia with his very dominant style of architecture which is the beginning of Tropical Modernism. “Looking into his early life he studied Law and English from St Catharine's College, Cambridge in 1938. He went to London to be a Barrister in 1944. In 1946, the death of his mother is one of the turning points of his life, after which he travelled for two years, from United States to Italy and finally settling in Srilanka.” (7)

Fig: 2 Geoffrey Bawa at his home on 33rd Lane, Photographed by David Robson in 1989

7. David Robson and Channa Daswatte, “Serendib Serendipity: The Architecture of Geoffrey Bawa” AA Files 35(1998):26 8. Channa Daswatte, “ Biography” Geoffrey Bawa Trust , accessed 24 May , 2020 https://geoffreybawa.com/biography

Fig 2: 2 David Robson, Geoffrey Bawa at his home on 33rd Lane, 1989, c. From David Robson, Geoffrey Bawa: the master architect of Sri Lanka: Photograph (STIR publisher, September 17, 2019), accessed, May 10, 2020 .https://www.stirworld.com/think-opinions-geoffrey-bawa-the-master-architectof-sri-lanka

“After settling in Srilanka, he bought the abandoned rubber estate to design an Italian garden in between the tropical environment of Srilanka. While designing he realized his lack in technical knowledge of construction and architecture, so he took help of H. H. Reid, practicing architect in Reid and Begg , a Srilankan architectural firm. In 1952, Reid passed away; Bawa’s sole interest in designing and architecture helped him to graduate Diploma in Architecture in 1956 from Architectural Association in London. Finally in 1957, he came back to Sri Lanka at age 38 as an Architect to take over what is left of Reid,” (9) and he started his unique style which became the most influential style in the history of Modern Architecture. “His designs break the barriers between inside and outside, between buildings and landscape, and he characteristically links a complex series of semi –open spaces – rooms, courtyards, loggias, verandahs – amalgamating with the surrounding environment and landscape.” (10)

Fig: 3 Geoffrey Bawa in his studio, 1985, Photographed by David Robson in 1985

9. David Robson and Channa Daswatte “Serendib Serendipity: The Architecture of Geoffrey Bawa” AA Files 35(1998):26 10. Channa Daswatte, “ Biography” Geoffrey Bawa Trust , accessed 24 May , 2020 https://geoffreybawa.com/biography

Fig 3: 3 David Robson, Geoffrey Bawa in his studio, 1985, c. geoffreybawa.com, accessed May12, 2020, https://geoffreybawa.com/biography