Serendip Hotel

Blue Water Hotel

Lighthouse Hotel

Benota Beach Hotel

Lunuganga

Triton Hotel

33rd Lane

House for Dr. Bartholomeusz

Seema Malaka

Bentota 1967–1970

In the summer of 2004, before the tsunami, Thomas Merkel visited Sri Lanka and Asia for the first time. It was here that the foundations were laid for his interest in Asia and Geoffrey Bawa.

Upon entering the hotel, a courtyard opens up with a garden and a central water basin. An area lined with palm trees separates the building from the beach and the sea.

Wadduwa 1996–1998

In 2012, after eight years, Thomas Merkel was able to fulfill his wish to travel to Sri Lanka again and stay in a hotel owned by Geoffrey Bawa. 

He was very enthusiastic about the Blue Water, as the building almost pours towards the sea. The transition of the public areas from inside to outside is fluid.

Galle 1995–1997

In the same year, Thomas Merkel also visited the Lighthouse Hotel. Here one finds a group of figures, which forms the railing, very exposed in the stairwell of the hotel. Geoffrey Bawa has frequently collaborated with artists. When you reach the first upper level, the view opens directly onto the sea.

In 2014 he came back to this hotel again.

Bentota 1967–1969

In 2014 Thomas Merkel visited Sri Lanka again to see other buildings by Geoffrey Bawa.

The starting point was the Bentota Beach Hotel which is right next to the Serendib Hotel visited in 2004. Again, Geoffrey Bawa has collaborated with artists and used the enrichment. The ceiling in the lobby, for example, is made from batik by a local artist. Like the Serendib Hotel, this hotel has an inner courtyard with a water basin.

With the visit to Lunuganga, Thomas Merkel has fulfilled a long-cherished wish. He used the physical proximity to the Bentota Beach Hotel to fulfill them. 

Admittedly, it wasn't easy to find this garden, no signs and then only a bell on a gate and far and wide not a house and not a person. It takes trust and a ringing of the bell ... and then someone comes, opens the gate and you are given a wonderful, detailed tour of Geoffrey Bawa's life's work.

Ahungalla 1979–1981

In 2014, Thomas Merkel also visited the Triton Hotel. As in the Blue Water Hotel and the Lighthouse Hotel, you can see the sea when you enter the complex, because that is how the impressive sight lines are laid out. Artists have designed the walls here and green courtyards bring nature indoors.

Colombo 1961–1963

Still full of impressions of 33rd Lane, Thomas Merkel then visited the restaurant, which is now located in the house of Dr. Bartholomeusz. He knew the architecture from many photos. The preparations for the exhibition of the Geoffrey Bawa Award were underway.

"Getting to know the work of Geoffrey Bawa has enriched and deeply moved me. Since 2004, I have been enthralled by his extensive work and have taken opportunities to experience it for myself. His buildings flow into their surroundings. They are not business cards of self–absorbed architects who set themselves the most spectacular monuments possible, but places. His architecture is part of the environment, like a mountain, a lake or a tree. I think this is valuable, which is why I created this page."