Biophilic Design – the perfect example

The Heritance Kandalama in Sri Lanka - the perfect example of Biophilic Design

Biophilia may sound like a fancy word, (or even like something that may get you into trouble) but its meaning is simple: it’s the idea that in order to thrive, humans need to feel connected to the natural world.

It would appear we all agree with that. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to come across examples of Biophilic Design. Step inside a public building and chances are you’ll come face to face with a water feature, a living wall or a panoramic window.

I’ve only come across the word relatively recently and certainly hadn’t heard of it when I stayed at the Heritance Kandalama Hotel in Sri Lanka in 2012.

It was an experience I’ll never forget.

Nestled so deeply in the lush green forested cliff in northern central Sri Lanka, it’s impossible to see where building starts and nature ends. And that’s the point, there’s no distinguishing one from the other. Plants, foliage, leaves, trees, it’s hard to know what exactly, hang over the side of the 6-storey structure.

Then there’s the entrance to the hotel, breath-taking is not an exaggeration. Built into the rockface, it’s open to the elements. Wide steps lead up to the reception, but the experience feels more like entering a Bond lair than a hotel, and you’re not sure if you’re about to come face to face with 007 or Blofeld. Sri Lanka’s famous Sigiriya rock fortress can be seen in the distance.

The James Bond entrance to the Hotel Kandalama and reception

As I’m shown to my room, I’m led down a corridor, which is more like a tunnel with no exterior wall. Flanked by boulders and plants on one side, and with a panoramic view over the Kandalama Reservoir, on the other. I look down to see an elephant taking a bath, his mahout sitting on his back, scrubbing him.

The open corridor flanked by the rocks of the cliff which the Kandalama is built into.

Although my room itself is luxurious, I barely notice much about it, as the wow factor is the sliding doors leading to the balcony. Sitting there I become invisible, absorbed into the building / rainforest melange that I had seen from below on arrival.

Monkeys on my balcony

I’m told to keep the sliding doors shut when inside my room as the monkeys are partial to stealing. Monkeys? I’m independent enough to travel around Sri Lanka on my own, but not sure I fancy having my passport stolen by a monkey. Presumably it’s just a precaution. Yet sure enough, I enjoy the view for just a few minutes before two monkeys appear and in slow motion, one reaches for my camera as I managed to grab the strap and a tug of war ensues. I’m proud to say I won.

I retreat inside, make sure all doors are locked and head out for a swim – in the infinity pool. Resting on the edge feels like I’m perched on the top of the world surveying my land.

The infinity pool overlooking the Kandalama Reservoir

Opened in 1995, the Inheritance Kandalama is the work of Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Today he is recognised globally as one of the 20^th century’s most visionary architects. His work can characterised by immersing buildings into their natural surroundings. Blending indoors and outdoors, many of his works, like the Heritance Kandalama, use natural light, ventilation and the tropical forests and jungles to inform and characterise his projects.

Geoffreybawa.com summarises his approach as “honouring, contextualising, and welcoming the external world; his reverence for Sri Lanka’s lush landscape is deeply entrenched in his work.” A biophilic designer right there.

Staying at the Heritance Kandalama is truly incredible. The way in which you feel you are rarely totally indoors; the airiness, light, views and the surroundings, are the building. It feels akin to a more art gallery, except the building is the artwork itself. The antithesis of the bland, corporate hotel we are all familiar with.

By the end of my stay, I felt relaxed, calm and like I had truly experienced the place I was in, not just another hotel in which I could have been anywhere.

'Be Here Now.' I definitely was.

An amazing place and piece of wellness architecture and biophilic design.*

(*post not sponsored by the Heritance Kandalama or Sri Lanka tourism board!)