OHC25: Wooden Gate [Open Access]

In a sprawling garden of native plants and trees sits Wooden Gate, the home studio of painter and naturalist Channa Ekanayake. Entangled with climbers and mosses, this small forest is home to over 90 species of trees and vines, the majority endemic to Sri Lanka. Planted as habitat for local wildlife, the plants are not intended for harvest, creating a haven of bee hives, bird nests, and day roosting places for bats. Biodiversity conservation is a priority for Channa, and this property welcomes a diverse array of fauna, from spiders and fireflies to squirrels and owls. A pond attracts toads and frogs to its natural aquatic habitat.

Against the property boundary sits the two-story house with two adjoining units on the ground floor. The top floor, which has been converted into an artist’s studio and gallery, captures ample natural light and cross ventilation. The semi-hard granite, which retains rainwater, maintains a high humidity level under the tree canopy, helping to cool the midday heat. The house is both home and canvas for Channa, who has painted most surfaces, including walls, ceilings, wardrobes, doors and windows, in a style reminiscent of the historic temple murals that influence his own art practice.

Visitors to Wooden Gate will find not just an architectural and artistic gem, but a living testament to how humans and the environment can inspire and support one another. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view the garden’s resident owl population.

Address: 883/21, Flower Road, Ethul Kotte
Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nBpxfZ1CZ3xnyUma7

Images ©Daniel Fernando