Sri Lanka – Lunaganga
Bentota, on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka, is the location of the home and gardens of the celebrated Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
The story of Lunaganga began in 1948, when Bawa purchased a derelict rubber plantation on a peninsula in Dedduwa Lake. What started as a modest desire to create a weekend retreat eventually transformed into a lifelong project spanning five decades. This “tropical version of an Italian Renaissance garden” became Bawa’s living laboratory, where he experimented with the concepts of Tropical Modernism — a style that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. It wasn’t just a home; it was a physical manifestation of Bawa’s soul, evolving continuously until his passing in 2003.
The structures at Lunaganga reflect understated elegance and architectural recycling. The main house, originally a simple colonial bungalow, was reimagined with soaring ceilings, internal courtyards, and wide verandas that invite the lake breeze. Over the years, Bawa added several outbuildings, including the Cinnamon Hill House, the Gallery, and the Gatehouse. Each structure is strategically positioned to anchor specific views, using a palette of black and white floor tiles, antique Dutch-colonial furniture, and contemporary art — designed to be porous, ensuring that one never feels truly separated from the surrounding landscape.
The gardens at Lunaganga are perhaps the most celebrated landscape in Sri Lanka, designed as a series of outdoor rooms that manipulate perspective and light. Unlike the manicured symmetry of Western gardens, Lunaganga feels wild yet deeply intentional. Key features include the Water Garden, the Broad Walk, and the iconic Cinnamon Hill, where a single jar stands against the horizon. The interplay of shadows from ancient frangipani trees, the stillness of lily ponds, and the various shades of green create a sensory experience that feels both ancient and timeless.
Photographs in this album include: 18 images of the gardens, vistas, and architectural details of Lunaganga — Geoffrey Bawa’s extraordinary estate on Dedduwa Lake, Bentota.
For camera settings, techniques and equipment used in shoots like this, see the Technique posts on mcaughtry.photo.