Beautifully executed architectural drawings from the great Sri Lankan architect The Sri Lankan
architect Geoffrey Bawa fused sensitivity for local context with the technological discoveries
and design principles of modernism. Accordingly Bawa often incorporated materials (local stone
and timber) and layouts (high roofs cross-ventilation vast overhangs) specific to Sri Lanka's
monsoon climate and storied architectural history--from the cave monasteries of the
Anuradhapura period to the feudal Walauwa style of manor houses--into his modernist designs.
Gathering together essays by scholars and writers across a multitude of disciplines--including
architecture photography geography urban design and art history--this volume spotlights
Bawa's exceptionally beautiful architectural drawings delving into the central multipronged
role of the medium in his practice from ideation to instruction to post-construction review.
The anthology also explores the identity of post-independence Sri Lanka which Bawa helped to
shape--aesthetically and less overtly ideologically. Featuring over 200 lush drawings and
photographs many of which have never been published before the book promises to engage both
general and scholarly audiences with interests in architecture drawing and archives. Geoffrey
Bawa (1919-2003) was a Sri Lankan architect who designed the country's new Parliament building
at Kotte completed in 1982. While Bawa mostly worked within Sri Lanka he also completed
projects in several other countries including India Indonesia Mauritius Japan Pakistan
Fiji Egypt and Singapore. His works include houses hotels schools clubs offices and
government buildings.
