The story begins in June 2005. A five acre plot is purchased in Kalundewa, Dambulla for an agricultural project. The little tree-house flanked by two leafy giants is the only structure in sight, close to a picturesque but overgrown lake, that would provide water for the crops. The land, a jungle wilderness is home to a great number of old, beautiful Kumbuk trees.
Engineers of the Mahaveli project, a group with the highest level of expertise in irrigation and construction are hired to rehabilitate the land and lake. The lake cleared, gravel roads constructed, the journey begins.
By 2010 it has grown to 100 acres. Three scenic lakes provided sufficient water for the harvesting of crops - coconut, mango, pomegranate and local varieties of jak, del and cadju. Grape and passion-fruit spread through the fields, with a variety of citrus and herbal plants. Ten acres of paddy and a large banana plantation are cultivated.
Beetroot, corn, onion, tomatoes and brinjals also become a part of the vegetation. A natural spring gushing forth a continuous flow of water working with a windmill, a most uncommon sight in the country helps the crops and the paddy fields of the lower estate prosper. Bee keeping is begun and the estate produces its own honey. The addition of a large orchard completes this successful agricultural venture.
Meanwhile another dream is taking hold. This enterprise is of a different, more challenging nature. A three and a half hour drive from Colombo, architect Sanath Liyanage sits thinking and imagining, in a cleared tree-house belonging to a crop-raising extent in Dambulla. Unaware that legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa had once stood on the exact same spot considering it as a location for the nature resort he planned on designing, which was later relocated to Kandalama, the young and innovative Sanath’s mind is full of ideas of transformation and he continues to look, feel and listen till midnight gives way to the early hours of two or three.
The architect’s dream gives birth to the Kalundewa Retreat – where a serene lifestyle meets nature. It is the perfect balance between man and wilderness. Entering the gates of Kalundewa Retreat you are instantly transported to a typical dry zone farm land. The marshy lake on the roadside adds to the feel of complete serenity of an expanse fringed by a beautiful mountain range. The gravel drive takes you down a winding path leading to a large shady grove. From a distance, there is a hint of structure, but it is so well camouflaged within the cluster of majestic trees that you cannot but think that there is no architectural construction here.
Then a turn, and the gravel road morphs into a paved road of natural rock and suddenly you are hit with the beauty that is Kalundewa Retreat. The lobby is inspired by the tree-house flanked by magnificent twin trees. The structure is built encompassing the trees without disturbing their existence. The floor, made of unstained teak is laid with planks of uneven length. Breaking away from the linear structure of walls and partitions, the teak planks jut in and out through the natural surroundings.
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| Stunning views all round. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe |
The partitioning of the lobby is clear glass and exposed brick. The glass walls three sides of the lobby while the façade is entirely exposed to the Kumbuk tree lake. The exposed glass and the spaced out wooden roof beams let in plenty of sunlight and greenery while keeping the space uncluttered.
The furniture, aptly, is also of teak and upholstered with soft white furnishings. An outdoor seating space adjoining the lobby looks out on the lake, and the cool wind rushing through the rustling leaves makes this area calm and relaxing. Teak tables and chairs, accompanied by unpolished cut concrete block stools and benches are scattered through a replica of the lobby floor.
This teak wood floor extends to a series of descending steps that lead to the rippling surface of the lake where a wooden raft awaits to take you to your very own exotic chalet. Rowing through the Kumbuk trees growing in the lake you are taken further into the heart of the lake completely surrounded by foliage. Almost hidden from view, the two-storeyed 3000 square-foot chalets are built on wooden pillars rising above the water. This attractive accommodation space built for ultimate intimacy and privacy can also be reached via a footpath.
The living space comprises two master bedrooms and bathrooms, an open air bath tub, a kitchen, pantry, dining and sitting area, lounge, library, pier to row and anchor the raft to, a plunge pool, a BBQ area and an open air observation deck. The tiered interior of the chalet is on par with the lobby and is designed using glass, steel, concrete, teak and exposed brick. Although the calming winds provide a cooling atmosphere the chalet also has the option of being fully air conditioned.
The minimalistic nature of the structure heightens the sense of harmony within the space. The use of cement and simplicity in the interior and exterior of the chalet well accompanies the elements of nature. Thematic choices of blacks, whites, browns and reds are reflected in the surrounding natural components. The rich black soil of the banks in the steel, the trunks and barks of the trees in the teak, the surface of the lake in the glass, the natural rocky mountain range and the fallen leaves in the unpolished concrete and the earthy reds of the gravel paths in the exposed brick settle in ideally within the rest of the scenery.
Decorative elements such as madatiya holders, statuettes, potpourri and scented candles add an aesthetically pleasing, personal touch to the chalet.
The view from the chalets is spectacular. At night the green canopy of Kumbuk trees opens to a starlit heaven. The soft ambience of the space creates a soothing light and an enchanting atmosphere. Dawn brings the musical sounds of the chirping birds. Lotuses blossom on the lake’s surface and gorgeous peafowl are a common sight at the Kalundewa Retreat, leaving their beautiful blue green feathers on the footpaths.
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| Sanath Liyanage |
An array of food is available to the guests visiting Kalundewa Retreat. The rice, vegetables, fruits and leaves are harvested from the land belonging to the resort itself. Guests can participate in the watering and picking of the harvest. Fishing, boating and bird watching are popular, also walking, hiking and cycling take the explorer on an adventure.
The Retreat also houses village huts overlooking the paddy fields, a tree-house, natural springs, little reading corners hidden in the woods and rooftop terraces placed high above, with a spectacular view of the grounds. Drivers’ quarters and guides’ quarters are also available.
Kalundewa Retreat is where one finds peace within oneself and with nature. It is a soothing getaway hidden within the forests of Dambulla away from the hustle and bustle of a stressful life. Says Sanath Liyanage, “[The] land is simply the best. Full of character. Each spot had something different to talk about. There was only very little we had to do. Nature has created everything. Therefore we thought our intervention should be very minimalistic and simple so that we could be part of it. Language used in the buildings complemented the existing character while emphasizing the lines of the landscape.
Structures are elevated from the ground, and there are very little barriers between in and out. Free movements are allowed physically and visually. It was not [a] designed landscape, but [it] allowed nature to take over.”
For more information please visit www.kalundewaretreat.com. |
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