No.05 at Lunuganga

In 1962 Ena de Silva and her husband Osmund commissioned Geoffrey Bawa to design their home in a modest plot in the heart of Colombo. Bawa's design negotiated the increasing urbanity of the site with an introspective design which was both radically modern and drew inspiration from traditional architectural tropes in Sri Lanka, like the central courtyard. The success of the design makes the house a pivotal project in Bawa's career. It was also the beginning of a deep friendship between Ena and her architect.

In 2009 when Ena wished to sell the land the house was built on, the Lunuganga Trust worked with a team of architects, archaeologists and engineers to careful disassemble the house and rebuild it stone by stone at Lunuganga, where it stands today.

We welcome visitors with disabilities but there are steps both at the entrance and throughout the house so not every part of the interior will be accessible to all. Regretfully, due to stairs, the first floor Master and Guest rooms are inaccessible for wheelchairs. Please let us know about any special requirements in advance and we’ll try to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.