Upcycled Resort at Calido Beach, Kalutara, Sri Lanka

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

Tourism should ideally, in countries such as Sri Lanka, be a means of renewing abandoned environments which once supported its unique heritage. In these circumstances, the vitality of our value systems combined with the tranquil balance of our lives could be shared with guests who seek our hospitality. It is only then that the experiences they seek for which they travel to distant lands, may be truly fulfilled.

Project description

In the idea of contributing to a common vision of re-discovering, nourishing and molding a landscape that once flourished but was no more within Kalutara city center, the Calido stretch displayed unique characteristics being a spit of land extending between the sea and the estuary of Kalu River to be developed as a potentially capable tourist destination.
Tourism is not necessarily to be developed mainly as a commercial or a service-oriented industry, thus should ideally, in countries such as Sri Lanka, be means of restoring environment through effort of locality in means of labor and material.
This project is trying to combine the tranquil balance of the local hospitality and the vitality of the local values. At the same time to retain the natural systems( Human and material flows) in the unique coastal line of Kalutara.
The scheme would become an extension to the unnoticed green patch and merge it with the immense beach stretch, by giving a continuous serene atmosphere for even a casual visitor.

Technical information

From the outset, the aim was to transform this unnoticed patch to the beach stretch, creating a haven for guests, a setting where man and nature lived in harmony with each other.
The design process involves,
• Reuse of local material such as reused rubble for the main structure of the design (gabion walls), lath and plaster as partitions and railway sleepers for flooring.
• The host community is involved in terms of the labor for construction to create employment and as a learning tool for building systems.
• The central spine acts as the main circulation path which interacts the community and the visitors while maintaining a level of privacy.
• The design is sits upon four gabion walls (two on each wing) so that there is a minimal impact to the site and that the design achieves the concept of “Loose fit” that is to touch the Earth lightly
• The nature plays a key role in the design whereas with time it become a part of nature.