26 June 2024
Design marvels that changed an industry
It’s 8.00 a.m and we finally approach a friendly watchman on a dusty road. Despite the early hours, he is dressed impeccably, khaki pants, green shirt, a hat and a smile that completes it all. He is polite, as he inquires as to where we are heading. “Heritance Kandalama, of course.” His smile widens as he gestures towards the unpaved road up ahead.
One may wonder, if we have indeed arrived at the destination, given the dusty road and the wild trees growing alongside it. The unpaved road through the jungle gives no clue to what to expect – there are no views of the hotel on the horizon. But the driver assures, we are at Heritance Kandalama, but he warns with glee, “there is more to come.”
Indeed, there is more to come.
The hotel rises as we continue up the unpaved road and towards the ramp. A cave-like entrance appears. There on the steps stand two figures, almost blending to the background with their muted attire. What gives them away – the bright purple lotus they hold in their hands.
“Ayubowan”
Behind a large counter, more staff smile and nod; while the bell man, appearing as though an apparition is quick to collect our bags. There seems to be no check-in. As the ladies escort us through the boulder passage or tunnel – it suddenly dawns. Unlike at other hotels where the guest walks to the reception, here, the staff comes to us – a real Sri Lankan welcome, where the homeowners greet you at the entrance.
The tunnel ends and we are in awe. Vistas of blue and green stretch before us, a sudden calmness envelope our bodies – we are in paradise.
This very feeling is what celebrated architect Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa intended when he took on the colossal project of designing this hotel – Heritance Kandalama.
His design aesthetic for the hotel was simple – it was not merely a hotel, but a platform seamlessly integrated with the jungle, allowing guests to observe and enjoy nature without disrupting it. It was his masterpiece, some would argue, as the hotel is an architectural wonder, far ahead of its time – given the ‘sustainability’ and ‘eco-friendly design’ were not even part of one’s vocabulary in the 1990s.
In achieving this unique outlook of an esoteric hideaway, Bawa and the team had to turn to innovative concepts to achieve the nature and build balance, that he was adamant in pursuing.
– The entire hotel is built on a raised platform resting on columns, allowing rain and spring water to flow freely from the mountainside into Kandalama Lake. This design also lets animals move freely underneath the hotel. The hotel does not touch any of the water in Kandalama Lake. It also recycles all its wastewater.
– The columns on which the structure of the hotel stands was designed purposely for the growth of foliage that would in time, blend the hotel with the jungle environment from which it emerges. Specific foliage was chosen to hang down from the rooftop to camouflage the building over time. It is famously known that the real design intention of the hotel is to see it over time, where the hotel is part and parcel of the surrounding; and not standing out.
– In designing the winding corridors, Bawa’s intention was to lead the guests to breathtaking views at the end of the corridor.
The linear architectural model allows the hotel to stretch a remarkable 1km built flush against a jungle-clad cliff-face, so that Kandalama’s stunning location is only beaten by its views, overlooking the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the ancient Kandalama reservoir.
– The interiors benefit from Bawa’s signature huge open windows, which let in plenty of natural light and also allow wildlife-watching from your bath.
– The ramp through which the vehicles move to and from the hotel is made entirely of stone, no concrete was used. This was designed taking into consideration the available labour and their knowledge and technology.
The tunnel at the entrance, leading to the interior of the hotel was intended to represent a dark alley. As the saying goes ‘light at the end of a tunnel’, Bawa’s vision was for guests to emerge from the tunnel to an open airy space for the ultimate ‘wow’ factor. In creating this passage, there was one challenge – the rock which you see to date is part of a greater saddle which limited the passageway. To achieve the intended outlook, he literally moved the mountain and shaved off just 2m of the right-hand side of the saddle.
– In perfecting this ‘wow’ factor, Bawa also designed a separate path for baggage to go through, so that guests could marvel at the rock tunnel and the ensuing views, without any other colourful baggage disturbing the view.
– The minimal design and large windows with black frames were intentional as to create different ‘frames’ as in ‘framing a picture’ through which one can enjoy nature
– The initial design was to have 150-rooms in one wing, the Sigiriya Wing. However, during the construction process, owing to concerns raised by Mahaweli Authority and a ensuing survey, it was found that the site (in extending to 150-rooms) was within the setback of a 100m of the lake. Bawa’s alternative design was to incorporate a second wing, the Dambulla Wing as it stands today. Heritance Kandalama resembles the outspread wings of a bird, following the line of the cliff from which it seems to emerge.
– It is said that only three trees were felled during the entire construction process of the hotel in the jungle.
Kachchan Lounge is named for the ‘kachchan breeze’ that dances through from the pool to the inside of the hotel. The infinity pool or Kachchan Pool was designed to create an impression that you are in the lake itself.
– The Kaludiya Pool is a natural pool with the dark bottom of the pool being the bedrock on which the structure of the hotel rests. The rocky surface is coated to prevent water seepage.
– The solid wate and sewage disposal system created for Kandalama Hotel is said to be the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.
– The Eco Park was born out of the requirement of an advance waste recycling and aeration plant today double as a knowledge center with a plant nursery.
– Heritance Kandalama has enriched the forest cover through reforestation and conservation. The hotel has created a conservational forest of over 200 acres.
– Geoffrey Bawa is said to have been adamantly averse to any signage being placed at the hotel – a rule which may have been tweaked over time for safety and other purposes. It is said that he was so strong in this belief, that he even dismissed having ‘exit’ signs at the hotel or even bathroom signage in public spaces. His intention was to create conversation in an attempt to ‘discover’ – he wanted guests to go looking for what they want inciting exploration as one would in the jungle.
He also wanted the story of Kandalama to be a legend, that passes on from word of mouth. The early team who worked with Bawa notes that his intentions with ‘no signage-discover yourself’ was to encourage guests to converse with staff – an inquiry leading to a conversation through which the intricacies and the story of Kandalama will pass on. Documentation of the story is of Kandalama is therefore limited; and different from one to another. A legend in creation.
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