STUDIO issue 1

STUDIO 

issue 1 0

forest eco-cottage 

Knuckles Mountain, rainforest eco tourism - an 

ultimate date with untouched nature.


a-designstudio 

residential; hospitality; masterplanning; retail; health; education; 

public; commercial; interiors; mixed use; and industrial. 

mail@a-designstudio.com 

http://www.a-designstudio.com 

Tel. +94 11 4 852 280 

© 2018 a-designstudio

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note from the Studio 

The STUDIO is a collection of architectural elements that we have 

experienced throughout our design life at the practice. We hope 

to showcase our latest projects, design techniques, local materials, 

site locations, and of course our studio, a home away from 

home. 

We aim to publish this digital magazine quarterly, and share with 

our clients, friends and family our journey and would wish them to 

be a part of it. We hope the ideas shared are inspirational to you 

as it has been for us to design. 

We would like to dedicate the first issue of The Studio to our team 

members as it is their diligence and devotion to the work that has 

filled the pages of this magazine. To our clients, we thank you for 

making a-designstudio your preferred architectural practice to 

carry out your design requirements. 

We thank you for adding exciting stopovers to an eventful design 

journey. 


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issue 1 0 

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in this issue 

7 Note from the studio 

10 Coconut House 

16 Villa Blu 

26 Forest Eco-Cottage 

34 Serenia Residences 

44 Details 

46 Materials 

48 Sites 

50 Featured 

52 Studio 

56 Happy Holidays 


is a young and dynamic practice that works across all 

architectural disciplines. We continue having fun doing 

what we love best – designing. 

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coconut house 

kotte sri lanka

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Exterior View of deck with pool. 

Raw elements and materials in 

harmony with the natural landscape.

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The uniqueness of the dwelling space is its ability to fuse 

itself with the natural setting. 

Located in the suburbs of Kotte, Sri Lanka on 

an acre of land with a typical lush landscape 

setting of Paddy fields and coconut groves, 

native to Sri Lanka. The back drop is kept untouched, 

maintaining its naturality with all its 

aspects. 

The dwelling encompasses, 2 generously 

spaced bedrooms, with private views of the 

surroundings, the adjoining living and dining 

spaces leads to an open outdoor deck made 

with reclaimed timber. The open pool area 

connects the master bedroom to the living 

spaces, yet creating a subtle barrier of privacy 

between them. The architectural design is 

such that the spaces are elevated from the 

ground level, maintaining a grander view of 

the natural environment. 

The materials used for the dwelling are in its 

absolute raw state mimicking the surrounding’s 

luscious wilderness. The rough cut cement 

earth toned flooring, the shuttering finished 

exposed concrete soffit and walls, and 

treated timber with weathered finish. The 

uniqueness of the dwelling space is its ability 

to fuse itself with the natural setting.

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The Coconut House surrounded by 

palm trees with an unobstructed view 

of the paddy fields. 

A covered deck is provided between 

the bedrooms and living spaces, 

creating a sit out area for the pool.

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Villa Blu 

Kalametiya Sri Lanka 

Set among the flawless tranquil beach front, 

indigenous wetlands bustling with native 

wildlife, and lagoon habitats with coral reefs 

sits Kalametiya, a coastal region in the southern 

point of Sri Lanka. The subtlety elevated 

land covered with soft sea sand provides a 

scenic view of the vast ocean. 

The villa Blu is perched upon a gentle slope 

giving prominence to all living spaces. The 

semi traditional dual storey exterior shell 

accommodates 4 luxurious bedrooms with 

en suite washrooms, and a master suite, each 

with it’s own private balcony overlooking 

the sea. The architectural style encompasses 

wide open living spaces on the ground floor, 

opening up to terraced natural landscape, 

and robust ocean waves. 

The continuation of flooring and wall textures 

from common dwelling spaces to bedrooms 

adds uniformity and creates a seamless sensation. 

The rustic exposed Kabok feature wall 

runs the full span of the living room, forming 

an earthy backdrop to the space. The timber 

cladded stairway connecting the ground level 

to the first, which hovers over the open pool 

water acts as a screen between the living and

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Ground Floor 

Plan

First Floor 

Plan 

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The architectural style encompasses wide open living spaces on 

the ground floor, opening up to terraced natural landscape, and 

robust ocean waves. 

dining spaces. The stairway is encased with 

sliding trellis windows adding a sense of privacy 

to its surrounding. 

The natural white stone mosaic cladded 

T-shaped pool wraps the back façade of the 

villa giving an unique infinity impression. The 

shaded lower tier timber deck provides ample 

outdoor lounge spaces in line with the 

pool which blurs the boundary of the exterior, 

giving its inhabitants a seamless experience 

of the oceanfront. The landscape is limited to 

flora exquisitely native to the land maintaining 

its authenticity. The tall slender coconut 

trees, and the mudilla plants, and ground 

cover are methodically scattered around the 

premises. The landscape is lit subtly through 

the plants giving prominence to the green, 

without drawing attention to the light source. 

The structure’s traditional elements including 

intricate timber cladded circular columns, 

cut cement tiling, and timber deck merges 

with the contemporary layout and modern 

furniture to manifest a space that is functional 

and modern, but stays true to a design aesthetic 

unique to Sri Lanka. 

The slender body of water below the 

suspended stairway creates a cooling 

barrier between the living and dining 

spaces.

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A night view across the pool highlighting 

the living and dining spaces. 

Natural stone cladded pool in balance 

with the natural landscape.

SIMPLIFY 


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All our wisdom is stored in the trees

forest eco-cottage 

knuckles mountain range 

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......enhances the experience of living outdoors with the 

luxuries of indoor living. 

Hidden away amidst the wilderness in the 

outskirts of the central province of Sri Lanka, 

is a modern take of a lightweight timber 

Eco-Cottage consisting of 2 living levels. 

The cottage takes up a mere footprint of 

500 square feet of land, and the structure is 

raised above ground level and held by stilts, 

reducing the disturbance to the fauna and 

flora. The entrance to the cottage is across 

a suspended timber bridge hanging over the 

ground cover. The timber planks are spaced 

apart to give a delicate view of the green living 

belt below. 

Even though an H-iron framework is used for 

the formation of the shell, it is finished with 

earthy toned materials such as timber flooring, 

timber cladded ceiling and trellis, feature 

rock walls and a hay-thatched roof. 

The bedroom and the open washroom is 

placed on the ground level closer to the natural 

ground cover filled with delicate living 

things to make the sleeper or the user of the 

space feel more in one with nature, and the 

use of sheer glass around the bedroom further 

enhances the experience of living outdoors 

with the luxuries of indoor living. 

The living and dining spaces are on the upper 

deck level. The steep set roof hangs over the 

spaces giving ample shelter underneath. The 

living room and dining spaces are fully open 

to nature with a minimal handrail to determine 

the usable space from the outdoors. The 

cottage is lit up by the use of floor lanterns 

made up of pale cloth, again maintaining the 

minimal disturbance to the surroundings. 

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Ground Floor 

Plan 

Roof Floor 

Plan

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Longitudinal 

Section

The jungle surrounding the dwelling is 

captured from all tiers of the cottage.

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SIMPLIFY 


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Your place in paradise

Wrap around terraces with panaromic 

views of the ocean for all the residences. 

The inner spaces continue to become 

part of the outside.

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The pristine collective of luxury beachfront 

apartments are situated along the serene 

ocean waters of the southern coast. The soft 

waves of water that breaks against the barrier 

of rocks and the grove of Lankan palm 

trees that gently dance to the swirl of wind 

creates an utmost perfect setting for this 

dwelling. 

The 2 linear blocks of structures are placed 

perpendicular to each other, one hosting a 

restaurant, reception, and a champagne bar, 

and the other a gym, and a day care facility 

on the ground floors levels. 

The apartments are elevated above the common 

used spaces to provide absolute privacy 

and serenity to the user enhancing the highend 

luxury living experience. 

The 47 lavish apartments are all given exceptional 

beachfront views from all levels 

with the occasional, delightful and refreshing 

obstacle of treetops and water features. 

The apartments consists of meticulously designed 

living, dining and pantry spaces with 

the finest finishes such as solid timber flooring, 

satin finished walls and ceilings, champagne 

coloured framed glazing and warm 

tone lighting. 

The generously spaced overhung balconies 

are gated with use of sheer glass to maintain 

an unobstructed view of the surroundings. 

The garden villas and penthouses with their 

own spectacular features such as roof top 

terraces for entertaining and plunge pools 

for soothing are also added to the mix.


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The interior furnishing is kept minimal with 

white washed furniture feel to emphasize on 

the stunning natural backdrop of the Indian 

Ocean. 

Lastly but certainly not the least would be the 

grand infinity pool and all its brilliance. From 

the point of entry to the surrounding perimeter 

of the land, the pool engulfs a majority 

of the ground floor level. The use of sunken 

lounges breaks away overwhelming sensation 

of the pool creating quaint relaxing 

spaces. The split level bar consist of land and 

water seating giving direct access to the bar 

from the pool as well as the restaurant level. 

Further, the decked walkway and the naturally 

landscaped garden provides a setting for 

an outdoor spa experience.

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1 

Serenia Residences 

Infinity Pool with Jacuzzi and Bar 

Talpe Galle 

2018, Sri Lanka 

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1 


2 Bedroom Residence Suite Living Room 

Talpe Galle 


1 


Residence Suite Pantry and Dining 

Talpe Galle 


1 


Residence Suite Master Bedroom 

Talpe Galle 


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We were conscious of the scale of the buildings, 

we did not want it to look arrogant, selfish or overwhelming. 

We wanted the buildings to look poetic.

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The Designer’s Vision 

‘‘The team we have involved in this project is 

a world class team. Coming together to deliver 

this special project. The credit goes to the 

client for sharing our vision in putting together 

a strong team. For us to be commissioned 

this project was an amazing opportunity. 

I recollect two years back when the client 

took me to show the site, the first thing I 

felt was how humble that view of the ocean 

made me feel. At that moment I knew it was 

all about catching that view, the sound of the 

ocean and also the light of the ocean. 

Simple because simplicity is the maximum 

level of complexity. It is simple, elegant and 

modern. 

When you arrive at the lobby the first impact 

is the dimension of the space, the double 

height glass framing the view. The second 

impact is the connection between the infinity 

pool, the garden and the ocean water. We 

have 300 feet frontage to the Indian ocean 

with a massive pool deck. This would be the 

first in Sri Lanka of this scale. Every space is 

an experience. 

Today it’s all about design. Differentiating 

from all the other buildings. This project is 

made of 2 towers with 8 decks flying above 

each other which gives you the feeling of 

lightness. For us whilst designing the important 

question was how can we be more and 

more part of the outside. By having 10 foot 

tall large windows and 6 feet wide balconies 

that wrap around the buildings the inside 

continues outside. We were conscious of the 

scale of the buildings, we did not want it to 

look arrogant, selfish or overwhelming. We 

wanted the buildings to look poetic. To be elegant 

and simple. 

There are 47 residences at Serenia. With every 

one of the them having full ocean view. 

All the residences were designed to give a 

simple but elegant and tasteful look and feel. 

All the materials and textures are selected to 

give a sophisticated elegant feel. 

We have not sacrificed anything when it 

comes to architecture, materials and finishes. 

This is a special place to live in. Creating a 

residence in the sky, a brand and a lifestyle. 

You are going to love living here.’’

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Beauty is in the 

details 

1 

Villa Blu 

Vertical timber louvre screens 

Kalametiya 


2 

Kalpitiya Lagoon Resort 

Bamboo sun shade 

Kalpitiya 



DETAILS

Each issue will feature a specific building system (timber 

louvres in this case), presented in the form of articles, short 

reports, new technologies, products, and the most attractive 

section, recent projects with the mentioned detailed 

drawings and images. Up-to-date examples are selected 

from our projects around the world. 

3 

Villa Blu 

Timber column cladding 

Kalametiya 

2018, Sri Lanka

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Materials in play 



1 

Villa Blu 

Kalametiya 


2 

Minute by Tuk Tuk 

Shangri La Colombo 


MATERIALS

The play of material gives a unique identity to each space. 

The balance of textures and colours against depth and 

light is of utmost importance when selecting materials for 

a space. The juxtaposition of a colour with texture can alter 

the mood setting of the inner light to create a warm space 

or cold. Materials can be used to highlight or downplay certain 

aspects of a design. 

3 

Galle Beach Hotel 

Dadella Galle 

2017, Sri Lanka

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Exposed concrete, 

timber, pastel tones 

1 

Cantaloupe Surf 

Midigama 


2 


Midigama 



SITES

Cantaloupe Surf is to be contemporary & chic in design & execution. 

The conceptual approach was to target the surfing 

demographic as well as appeal to anyone looking for a luxurious 

holiday. This thought process led to the hotel being 

split into two types of structures; a permanent structure exuding 

a more contemporary feel & a detached temporary 

timber structure based on the European beach sheds giving 

the project it’s chic element. 

3 


Midigama 

2018, Sri Lanka

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Some of our 

recognised projects 

1 

Inside Outside Magazine 

The Indian Design Magazine 

November 2018, ISSUE 399 

2 

Living Magazine 

A Celebration of Life 

March 2018, VOLUME 13, ISSUE 7 


FEATURED



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https://www.facebook.com/mail.adesignstudio/ 

Website 


Contact Us 


From inception the practice was unorthodox, hence it was imperative 

to have a firm that designed as a studio. The term “studio” is 

extremely critical in this context. “Studio” is generally associated 

with the creative field. In architecture exchange of multiple ideas 

especially in a studio environment has the potential to greatly 

enhance the final outcome.

Christmas @ the studio



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Thank you 

Hope you enjoyed our first issue, look forward to sharing our next issue 

in March 2019. 




Tel. +94 11 4 852 280 

© 2018 a-designstudio

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STUDIO issue 1

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