Modern House Designs in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan architecture dates back thousands of years. In that time span, it has been influenced and transformed by countless home designs  from around the world.

From ancient cave temples to colonial mansions to eco-friendly skyscrapers, the history of the nation’s buildings is as unique and diverse as its people.

Although developers in cities like Colombo are now putting an emphasis on building apartment towers, Sri Lanka’s suburbs and rural areas continue to feature beautiful house designs.

Come with us on a journey through history in this article about modern house design plans in Sri Lanka.

Architectural Influences

As mentioned above, styles from around the world have influenced Sri Lankan architecture.

House plans are no exception.

Throughout the country, especially in coastal areas, architecture from the colonial period remains. Today, these Dutch, Portuguese, and British buildings are major tourist attractions.

The Dutch fort in Galle is a perfect example. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other examples are the Colombo’s British Fort and the Old Parliament Building, which is now the Presidential Secretariat.

Naturally, architectural styles associated with Buddhism and the ancient Kingdom of Kandy have contributed a lot to the modern house designs in Sri Lanka. Contemporary architects draw inspiration from these styles as much as they do from European ones.

Architecture in Sri Lanka Today

Sri Lanka has produced many renowned contemporary architects who continually push the limits of what people expect. As a result, many modern homes are  tech-focused and environmentally friendly, while emphasising the use of local materials and traditional house designs.

The epitome of this trend is known as Tropical Modernism, also known as regional or vernacular modernism. Many modern homes in Sri Lanka are based on this style. One of the most famous proponents of Tropical Modernism is Geoffrey Bawa. Although he died in 2003, he has left an indelible mark on the style of the many who follow in his footsteps.

Tropical Modernism

The values and aesthetics of Tropical Modernism live on through the designs of many Sri Lankan homes. Below is a list of some of the country’s top architects

Channa Daswatte: Along with his partner Murad Ismail at MISD Associates, Channa is one of the best architects in Sri Lanka.

Pradeep Kodikara: Focusing on smaller environmentally friendly projects, Pradeep and his partner Jineshi Samaraweera operate out of Colombo.

C. Anjalendran: One of Geoffrey Bawa’s principal students, Anjalendran is considered by some to be the living embodiment of Sri Lankan architecture.

Ranjan Aluwihare: Owner and main architect of RA Designs, Ranjan is an iconic and dedicated professional. His studio, like most in Sri Lanka, offers comprehensive solutions for home design, interior design and furniture.

The Rise of Apartment Towers

Traditionally, houses are the preferred residence of most Sri Lankans. But today, with mass migration toward cities like Colombo, apartment towers are on the rise—pun intended.

As with houses in Sri Lanka, these skyscrapers are being built to be sustainable, eco-friendly, and in harmony with nature.

Billed as the world’s tallest vertical garden, Clearpoint Residencies in Rajagiriya is a perfect example of how traditional Sri Lankan architecture and Tropical Modernism translates into a residential tower.

Subsequent projects will have to live up to its example once it is completed.

Other future projects that are set to change the face of real estate in Sri Lanka include Altair Residential Towers, Krrish Square and ITC Colombo One.