Inspired by Bawa: From lawyers’ office to elegant studio loft
Ever since I was a child growing up in Sri Lanka in the Seventies and Eighties, I loved visiting the heritage city of Galle. I would go there on my summer holidays with my cousins, spending the days playing cricket on the ramparts.
My father, Shibly Aziz, grew up in Galle and it was from him that I inherited a deep love of the place, with many happy memories coming from walking around its streets and praying at the mosque with him.
When the opportunity to inherit a tiny piece of it from my grandmother Jiffriya came up, I begged her for it. And so in 2004, I became the proud owner of No. 8 Leyn Baan Street, which was at that time a small lawyers’ office, in the cluster near the main Galle Courthouse square.
A place to watch the Fort go by
For many years, it remained a place I would visit whenever I was in Galle, dreaming about what I would do with it whenever the opportunity arose. And in 2022, when I was finally able to resume possession, I set out to create something truly special.
The journey to renovate this property was incredibly hard: working within the strict parameters of the Galle UDA, respecting the heritage and history of this UNESCO World Heritage city, while trying to create something equally timeless.
Working within walls several hundred years old (so old that they still had pink coral in them, a building material used in the time of the Portuguese and Dutch) meant that we had to exercise great care.
Local design: Art by Chamila Perera and a rattan chandelier. Photos by Your My Favorite
My inspiration came from an iconic Sri Lankan architect — Geoffrey Bawa. I had been immersed in his work, while I was preparing to direct what became my documentary ‘The Genius of the Place: The Life and Work of Geoffrey Bawa’, which followed his progression as an artist with five legendary projects.
I admired how he had always championed the best of Sri Lankan art and architecture, working with local materials and local artists, to find what was contemporary and sustainable. So I set out to create a space that would follow those same principles.
The brief (inspired by Bawa) was simple and can be summarized in three words: Sri Lankan. Contemporary. Sustainable. My vision was that the space should reflect the best of contemporary Sri Lankan design, using local artisans and materials, and be as sustainable as possible.
The result is a tiny jewel in the heart of the Galle Fort: a 436-square foot studio loft, furnished with exquisite care and taste.
The outside is humble, furnished in the vernacular style of all Galle outdoor sitting areas. I drew inspiration from the riads of Marrakesh, where unassuming exteriors give way to stunning spaces.
With teak lounge chairs overlooking the Court Square, I wanted a place where you could sit with the fan turning lazily overhead, and observe the life of the Fort from a quiet vantage point.
At the front door (the original, which was meticulously restored), one is immediately struck by the double height ceiling which opens up all the way to the rafters. A river of timber connects all levels in one sinuous facade, creating consistency and flow.
The height is subtly accentuated by the custom-made double height rattan chandelier which spans both levels, glowing with gentle warmth.
Downstairs, a built-in sofa creates space for daytime lounging and can be turned into a comfortable bed if needed.
The art on the walls is of particular significance: again the brief was only the best of Sri Lankan contemporary art. A handsome batik piece by Chamila Perera sits overlooking a small breakfast nook and bookshelf.
The galley kitchen runs the length of the back wall, with all of the amenities (washing machine, fridge etc.) discreetly tucked away behind timber doors.
To your left, a graceful set of stairs takes you to the loft bedroom which features a king-size bed with gleaming brass niches for books and phones.
The upstairs also has a small walk-in closet, air conditioning, and an ensuite rain shower in the serene bathroom.
The feeling I wanted to create was of something unbelievably romantic and magical, a place of escape in the middle of the bustling Fort, perfect for couples and small families to find privacy and tranquility.
I wanted something that combined the intimacy of staying in a small private property with the luxury of staying at a five star hotel.
So I am delighted to partner with Teardrop Hotels who will manage this property as part of the nearby Fort Bazaar Hotel, under the name 8 Leyn Baan. Guests can also enjoy optional access to Fort Bazaar, including room service, dining, cocktails, and the new 14-metre swimming pool.
I was lucky enough to work on the project with some excellent partners: Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera from Zowa Architects, and interior designer Avisha De Saram, who far exceeded expectations in what they delivered and to whom I am deeply grateful. Our fantastic Sri Lankan suppliers were: Ideahub, Glock, Ilot, Cozy Linen, Chamila Art, Curado Gallery, Nihal Senaratne, Primrose Furniture, Cane Cult, Dhanak Carpets, Avikans Lighting, and Urban Island.My wife Rukshana contributed her exquisite taste and my mother Fathima Aziz was our tireless collaborator on the project.
It has been a labour of love to keep a tiny sliver of the Fort alive and vibrant, to be enjoyed by my family for generations more.
8 Leyn Baan Street can be booked via Teardrop Hotels.
(Afdhel Aziz is the director of the TV show ‘Jayaflava: Celebrating Sri Lanka’ now airing on National Geographic India, and the award-winning documentary ‘The Genius of the Place: The Life and Work of Geoffrey Bawa)
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