The residence at Mahara adheres to environmental micro climatic philosophies to enhance the architectural design. The house combines colours and intricate architectural dialect to be responsive towards tropical climate. The construction materials, techniques and use of colours have been articulated carefully to provide desirable conditions while adding richness to the architectural language. The colour variations are done using earthy colours so that the warm and cozy feeling is enhanced. It also gives a sense of relaxed and safe attire while merging with the natural landscape to suit the Sri Lankan tropical climate.
The West opening façade was completed using 80% of white colour to sense the grandeur and the massiveness of the façade. It also creates a cooling effect inside the building as it reflects the direct evening sunlight. The combination of brilliant white and off white help to feel the composition of different elements while maintaining the horizontality and the verticality of the design. The pleasant look of the façade is used to minimise the glare while merging natural colours of the stone cladded wall with a touch of greenery in the front court yard.
Through the design process, the architect has paid attention to bring out 3D composition coupled with the use of appropriate proportions. He has tried to bring out the external landscape into the building with the use of natural timber colours for doors and windows, timber columns and ceiling.
The spaciousness of the interior is introduced with the use of aesthetically applealing greenish white. It also soothes and calms your mind while giving a pleasant feeling of the space. When selecting colours, the Architect was focussing the fact of providing some a rest to the stressful minds after a hard days’ work. Combination of yellow, green and orange has highlighted the entrance lobby from main living combined with the perfect 3D composition and proportions. The colur of the sofa merges with the backing wall colour enhancing the whole interior.
The space near the pool is a mix of dark (yellow and green) and light (cream white) colours to highlight the 3D composition which gives a maximum illumination level. When the water animates its surrounding with its reflection, the architect has merged the soft and hard landscape to maintain the tranquillity of the setting while harmonising with the natural elements.
The dining area is done in brilliant white as a backing colour of the Araliya tree where it is been sculpted with the combination of two different wall textures of cement rendering and dark yellow/green wall. This wall acts as a framed view towards the dining and pantry area and it merges with the other architectural as well as natural elements in the design.
The music and leisure area is a combination of earthy colours to harmonise the serene environment while adding musicality to the space. The brilliant coloured area gives the focus to the function of the particular space.
The architect’s prime aim has been to provide relaxation for his client with the use of perfect colours to enhance the spaces. Thus the whole interior is not merely individual spaces, yet, it is the combination of all arranged in a mind blowing manner.
