OHC25: JC Rathnayake Artist Retreat [Open Access]

JC Rathnayake’s artist retreat on the edge of the Pittugala paddy fields is a truly collaborative effort. Working closely with Palinda Kannangara Architects, JC and his wife, Thanuja, a printmaker, were involved in the design and construction of the property throughout the process.  Built on a sloping plot, the retreat includes the family residence, an art gallery, and a studio composed of a series of layered courtyards. The spaces are clean and cool with voids in the exterior brickwork, allowing air to flow freely throughout.

The property is designed to meet the lifestyle of the artists, with spaces for work and relaxation that offer opportunities for solitary reflection, family time, and entertaining.  On the ground floor, with views into the gardens and paddy fields, sits the studio space. Its high ceilings and ample storage are designed to accommodate Rathnayake’s large-scale paintings. The lack of doors encourages a cooling breeze through the studio, and shade is provided by the courtyard gardens and the inclining terrain of the land. On the upper floors, three bedrooms are positioned around a pond filled with lilies and freshwater fish. 

Visitors to the property will find a wholly unique retreat that is a personal reflection of the family who live and work within it. In addition to employing local workmen and commissioning handcrafted pieces, the artists put their own work into the site, adapting, modifying, and crafting pieces to fit their home.

Address: 311/1/4 Boralugoda Road, Hokandara

Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XsvoBWvEvhS2bhMu6

Images ©Sebastian Posingis