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      • Thailand
      • Tibet
      • Tokelau
      • Tonga
      • Turkey
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Anjalendran: Architect of Sri Lanka

Gihan and Devika Amarasuriya House, Kotte, 1989-1991: The main courtyard. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
The House Beneath the Banyan Tree for Captain and Mrs. Wahab, Nawala, Colombo, 2002. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
Sitting room from the first floor terrace. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
Lilani De Silva House, Ward Place, Colombo, 1992-1995: The view across the reflecting pool and living room. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
The Anjalendran Home and Office, Battaramulla, 1991-1993: The sitting room and courtyard. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
House for Dharmavasan and Julie van der Bliek, Battaramulla, 1997-1999: The main living space viewed from the garden. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
The Crooked House, Battaramulla, 2004-2008: The shared double-height living space. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
Entrance to the Crooked House. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
Mount Cinnamon, Estate Bungalow, Mirissa, 2002-2008: The garden front with ramp down to the sculpture garden. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
House for Hetty Correa and Peter Bluck, Battaramula, 1997-2000, 2003-2006: The double-height living space. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
The Hameed House, Koswatte, Nawala, 1987-1989: The staircase linking the upper and lower verandas. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
Offices for SAPSRI (South Asian Partnership for Sri Lanka), Rajagiriya, 2003-2005: The entrance to the director's office. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
Hermann Gmeiner School, Youth Village, Social Centre and Home for Retired Mothers, Pilyandala, 1983-1997: The Rainbow Room.  (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
The covered link to the classroom block. (Photo by Waruna Gomis)
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Over the past two decades Anjalendran has established himself as one of Sri Lanka's leading architects. Born into a family of Jaffna Tamils and a student of the prolific and influential Geoffrey Bawa, Anjalendran's buildings are known across the Indian subcontinent for their simple directness, modern spirit, and acknowledgment of the rich vernacular traditions of Sri Lanka.

According to Sri Lankan architecture authority Professor David Robson, most architecture today is "procured," with the architect just one of a huge team of specialists. By contrast,  Anjalendran is the sole designer in his practice, managing every aspect of the project, from the first encounter with the client to final handover of the finished building. He also focuses—à la Frank Lloyd Wright—on landscaping, furniture, and decoration.

Robson created a comprehensive overview of Anjalendran's work with the book Anjalendran: Architect of Sri Lanka, and on Wednesday, December 2, he and Anjalendran were at the Asia Society in New York, for a discussion on what it means to be an 'architect of Sri Lanka.'

 

Video: Watch the complete program 'Architecture for Humanity'

Buy Anjalendran: Architect of Sri Lanka from the AsiaStore

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