The father of tropical modernism, Geoffrey Bawa (1919–2003) fused ancient and contemporary influences, using courtyards, pathways and light wells to link indoor and outdoor spaces. At the end of a quiet cul-de-sac is the house (geoffreybawa.com; Rs 5000), where the renowned architect lived from 1960 to 1970, meticulously preserved just as he left it. The house combines his usual mix of traditional forms and stark white modernist architecture.
Bawa moved in a circle of international creatives, including Belgian artist Saskia Pintelon (who stayed at Bawa's Lunuganga home and paid her rent in paintings), sculptor and painter Laki Senanayake, Danish architect Ulrik Plesner, celebrated batik artist Ena de Silva, disgraced Australian painter Donald Friend and Barefoot founder Barbara Sansoni. Works by all these friends are dotted around his home, alongside 20th-century design icons like Eero Saarinen "Tulip" chairs, Eames sculptures and '60s Quasar‑France inflatable furniture. Book ahead for tours of the interior (admin@geoffreybawa.org; +94 77 732 3978); you can also arrange to stay the night in one part of the house (Number 11).
