Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works - A Guide to Downloading the Ultimate Book on Sri Lankan Architecture
Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works - A Comprehensive Guide to the Legendary Architect's Work
If you are interested in architecture, design, or culture, you have probably heard of Geoffrey Bawa, one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century. His work has been admired and studied by many people around the world, especially in Sri Lanka, his home country, where he created some of his most iconic buildings. But how much do you really know about him and his work? And where can you find a reliable and comprehensive source of information about him?
Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works mobi download book
In this article, we will introduce you to Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works, a book by David Robson that documents and celebrates the life and work of this remarkable architect. We will tell you who Geoffrey Bawa was, why he was important, what he did, how he did it, and what impact he had on architecture and society. We will also review the book itself, its author, its structure, its contents, its strengths, its weaknesses, and its audience. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of Geoffrey Bawa's work and legacy, and you will be eager to download the book or learn more about him.
Introduction
Geoffrey Bawa was a Sri Lankan architect who was born in 1919 and died in 2003. He is widely regarded as one of the most important architects of the twentieth century, not only in Sri Lanka but also in Asia and beyond. He is known for creating harmonious and pleasurable buildings that fused local construction traditions with modern forms and sensibility. He was influenced by various sources, such as colonial architecture, vernacular architecture, tropical architecture, modernism, regionalism, landscape architecture, art, literature, music, and culture. He designed a wide range of projects, such as houses, hotels, schools, offices, public buildings, religious buildings, gardens, landscapes, urban plans, furniture, interiors, etc. He also inspired and mentored many other architects, especially in Sri Lanka, where he helped to shape the architectural identity and culture of the country.
Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works is a book by David Robson that was published in 2002 by Thames & Hudson. It is the first and only comprehensive documentation and appreciation of Geoffrey Bawa's work. It contains 278 pages, with over 500 illustrations, including photographs, drawings, plans, sketches, etc. It covers all of Bawa's projects, from his early houses to his late masterpieces, as well as his own residences, which reflect his personal and professional evolution. It also includes introductory chapters that present Bawa's early life, education, influences, principles, themes, etc., as well as a reference section that includes a complete chronology, a bibliography, an index, etc.
The book is a must-have for anyone who is interested in Geoffrey Bawa's work or in architecture in general. It is a valuable source of information, inspiration, and enjoyment. It is also a beautiful and elegant book that showcases the quality and diversity of Bawa's work in text and images. It is a book that you will want to read, browse, admire, and share with others.
The Early Life and Education of Geoffrey Bawa
Geoffrey Bawa was born on July 23, 1919, in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). He was the youngest of four children of Benjamin William Bawa and Bertha Marianne Schrader. His father was a wealthy and prominent lawyer who belonged to a mixed-race family of Muslim and European descent. His mother was a Burgher woman who came from a German-Dutch family of planters and merchants. Bawa grew up in a privileged and cosmopolitan environment, where he was exposed to different cultures, languages, religions, arts, etc.
Bawa attended Royal College in Colombo, where he excelled in academics and sports. He developed an interest in architecture from an early age, as he was fascinated by the colonial buildings and the vernacular houses that he saw in his travels around the country. He also enjoyed drawing and painting, and he had a keen sense of aesthetics and beauty. After finishing school in 1938, he went to England to study at Cambridge University. He initially enrolled in English literature, but he soon realized that it was not his passion. He then switched to history and law, and he graduated with a degree in law in 1944.
Bawa returned to Sri Lanka in 1946 and joined his father's law firm as a barrister. However, he soon became bored and dissatisfied with his career choice. He felt that law was not his true calling and that he wanted to do something more creative and fulfilling. He decided to pursue his interest in architecture and to become an architect. He left Sri Lanka again in 1948 and went back to England to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) in London. He was one of the oldest students at the AA, but he was also one of the most talented and enthusiastic. He learned from some of the leading architects and teachers of the time, such as Maxwell Fry, Jane Drew, James Stirling, etc. He also visited various countries in Europe and Asia to see different styles and examples of architecture. He graduated from the AA in 1956 with a diploma in architecture.
The Architectural Career of Geoffrey Bawa
Bawa returned to Sri Lanka for the third time in 1957 and started his architectural practice in Colombo. He initially worked with Ulrik Plesner, a Danish architect who had been his friend and colleague at the AA. They collaborated on several projects, such as the Bentota Beach Hotel (1967), the Polontalawa Estate House (1961), the Ena de Silva House (1960), etc. They also renovated Bawa's ancestral home in Lunuganga (1959-2003), which became Bawa's country retreat and experimental laboratory for his design ideas.
Bawa developed his own style and approach to architecture over time. He was influenced by various sources, such as colonial architecture, vernacular architecture, tropical architecture, modernism, regionalism, landscape architecture, art, literature, music, and culture. He was not interested in following any particular style or dogma, but rather in creating buildings that suited their context, their function, their users, and their environment. He was also interested in creating buildings that were harmonious and pleasurable, that expressed a sense of place, of history, of culture, and of beauty.
Bawa blended local traditions with modern forms and sensibility in his design approach. He used local materials, such as brick, 6 by Thames & Hudson. He later wrote two more books on Bawa's work: Beyond Bawa (2007) and In Search of Bawa (2016). He also curated several exhibitions and edited several publications on Bawa's work. He is considered as one of the leading authorities and critics on Bawa's work. Robson researched and wrote the book with the cooperation and assistance of Bawa himself, who gave him access to his archives, drawings, photographs, etc. He also visited and photographed most of Bawa's buildings, some of which were no longer extant or accessible. He also interviewed many of Bawa's clients, colleagues, friends, etc. He used various sources, such as books, magazines, journals, newspapers, etc., to supplement his information and analysis. The book is structured and organized into four main parts: The Early Years, The Work, The Later Years, and The Reference. The first part covers Bawa's early life and education, his influences and principles, his themes and methods, etc. The second part covers Bawa's work in chronological order, from his early houses to his late masterpieces. Each project is presented with a brief introduction, a description, a plan or a sketch, and several photographs. The third part covers Bawa's later years, his retirement, his awards, his legacy, etc. The fourth part covers the reference section, which includes a complete chronology of Bawa's life and work, a bibliography of books and articles on Bawa's work, an index of names and places, etc. The book presents the work of Geoffrey Bawa in text and images in a clear and comprehensive way. The text is informative and insightful, providing historical and cultural context, architectural analysis and criticism, personal anecdotes and stories, etc. The images are stunning and captivating, showing the beauty and diversity of Bawa's work in different settings and seasons. The book also uses various design elements, such as fonts, colors, layouts, etc., to enhance the visual appeal and readability of the book. The book has many strengths and few weaknesses. It is a well-researched and well-written book that covers all aspects of Bawa's work and life. It is a rich and detailed book that provides a lot of information and insight into Bawa's work and personality. It is a beautiful and elegant book that showcases the quality and diversity of Bawa's work in text and images. It is also a rare and valuable book that documents some of Bawa's buildings that have disappeared or changed over time. The book has some minor weaknesses that do not affect its overall quality or value. It is a large and heavy book that may not be easy to carry or store. It is also an expensive book that may not be affordable or accessible to everyone. It is also a limited book that may not be available or updated for long. The book is for anyone who is interested in Geoffrey Bawa's work or in architecture in general. It is for students, teachers, researchers, professionals, enthusiasts, etc., who want to learn more about Bawa's work and legacy. It is also for admirers, fans, collectors, etc., who want to own a copy of this book as a souvenir or a treasure. Conclusion
In conclusion, Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works is a comprehensive guide to the legendary architect's work. It introduces you to Geoffrey Bawa, who was one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century. It tells you who he was, why he was important, what he did, how he did it, and what impact he had. It also reviews the book itself, its author, its structure, its contents, its strengths, its weaknesses, and its audience. It is a book that you will want to read, browse, admire, and share with others.
If you are interested in Geoffrey Bawa's work or in architecture in general, you should download this book or learn more about him. You will discover a remarkable architect who created harmonious and pleasurable buildings that fused local traditions with modern forms and sensibility. You will also discover a rich and diverse architectural culture that is rooted in its context but also open to the world.
Geoffrey Bawa was a master architect of Sri Lanka and beyond. His work and legacy are lessons for all of us.
FAQs
- Q: When and where was Geoffrey Bawa born and died? - A: Geoffrey Bawa was born on July 23, 1919, in Colombo, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). He died on May 27, 2003, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. - Q: What was Geoffrey Bawa's original profession before becoming an architect? - A: Geoffrey Bawa was a lawyer who worked in his father's law firm in Colombo. He became bored and dissatisfied with his career choice and decided to pursue his interest in architecture. - Q: What was Geoffrey Bawa's architectural style and approach? - A: Geoffrey Bawa's architectural style and approach were influenced by various sources, such as colonial architecture, vernacular architecture, tropical architecture, modernism, regionalism, landscape architecture, art, literature, music, and culture. He blended local traditions with modern forms and sensibility in his design approach. He created spaces that were open and flexible, that connected with the surrounding landscape and climate, that allowed natural light and ventilation, that provided shade and shelter, that incorporated water and vegetation, that expressed texture and color, that reflected culture and history, etc. - Q: What were some of Geoffrey Bawa's most iconic and influential buildings? - A: Some of Geoffrey Bawa's most iconic and influential buildings include: - The New Sri Lanka Parliament (1979-1982), a complex of buildings that project into a man-made lake and symbolize the democratic aspirations of the country. - The Kandalama Hotel (1992-1994), a hotel that blends with the natural rock formations and the jungle vegetation and offers stunning views of the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress. - The Seema Malaka Temple (1976), a Buddhist temple that floats on a lake and creates a serene and meditative atmosphere. - The Ruhunu University (1981-1985), a university campus that adapts to the hilly terrain and the rural context and creates a variety of spaces for learning and living. - The Lighthouse Hotel (1995-1997), a hotel that evokes the maritime heritage of the coastal town of Galle and incorporates elements from the Dutch fort and the nearby lighthouse. - The Lunuganga Estate (1959-2003), Bawa's own country house and garden that reflects his personal and professional evolution and experimentation. - Q: Who is David Robson and what is his relationship with Geoffrey Bawa? - A: David Robson is an architect, an academic, and an author who has written extensively about Geoffrey Bawa's work. He was approached by Bawa himself in 1995 to write his first monograph, which was published in 1996 by Thames & Hudson. He later wrote two more books on Bawa's work: Beyond Bawa (2007) and In Search of Bawa (2016). He also curated several exhibitions and edited several publications on Bawa's work. He is considered as one of the leading authorities and critics on Bawa's work. - Q: How can I download the book or learn more about Geoffrey Bawa? - A: You can download the book from various online platforms, such as Amazon, Google Books, Scribd, etc. You can also buy the book from various bookstores, such as Thames & Hudson, ArchDaily, Architectural Digest, etc. You can also learn more about Geoffrey Bawa from various sources, such as websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, etc. Some of the recommended sources are: - The Geoffrey Bawa Trust: https://www.geoffreybawa.com/ - The Lunuganga Trust: https://www.lunuganga.org/ - The Seema Malaka Trust: https://www.seemamalaka.org/ - The David Robson Archive: https://www.davidrobsonarchive.com/ - The ArchDaily Spotlight: https://www.archdaily.com/770481/spotlight-geoffrey-bawa - The Architectural Digest India Article: https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/6-geoffrey-bawas-iconic-buildings-sri-lanka/ - The STIRworld Article: https://www.stirworld.com/think-opinions-geoffrey-bawa-the-master-architect-of-sri-lanka - The Indian Architect & Builder Article: https://www.indianarchitectandbuilder.com/post/remembering-bawa - The Geoffrey Bawa Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geoffrey-bawa/id1537198940 - The Geoffrey Bawa YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYtQZ8wZy4w9p1Xf7k3nB5g 71b2f0854b