Isana Beach House, Seenimodara, Thangalle

The Location
Located between Matara and Thangalle on Sri Lanka’s lush South – Coast, “Issana Beachouse” is ideally situated for visitors who wish to base
themselves on a beach and explore the Southern region. At 200 kilometers from Colombo, it is close enough to reach in a few hours but further enough to
remain quite and unspoilt, away from heavy development and crowds at Bentota, Hikkaduwa & Unawatuna.
Mahawela Beach, a 3 Kilometer crescent of light yellow sand, lapped by a turquoise sea, is rightly regarded as one of the finest on the South – Coast. Rocky
Promontories at either end ensure that the current and waves remain placid, making it an ideal Beach for families and older travelers.
The Issana Beach House is located on a, right turn to Pubudu Mawatha after traveling 190 Kilometers on the Colombo Thangalla (Mahawela) High Way. The Narrow Linear
Eighty Perch block of land over looks the Coconut palm shaded Garden, the beautiful Indian Ocean and the almost
privately exclusive Mahawela Beach. On the Rear side of the site after a few blocks of land, the beautiful Thangalla Lagoon is located. A visitor to the site is
taken through a narrow sand laden Road, surrounded by Lush tropical vegetation and the beautiful Thangalla Lagoon. The site itself consist of approximately fifty fully
grown coconut trees and other tropical lush green vegetation

Special Characteristics
Key feature of the site is its Narrow Linearity Focusing totally on the Mahawela Beach and the Indian Ocean beyond. In addition it has its Garden full of Lush green
vegetation. The site itself consists of over fifty fully grown coconut trees in addition to various other marine tropical trees.

The Design Concept
The design of this Beach Housel drew inspiration from the Vernacular Buildings of the nearby small towns and villages as well as the local culture. Main
Public Areas of the Beach house is located centrally, while Bed rooms were orientated in order to give the best possible ‘View’ of the Garden, the Beach and
the Sea beyond while giving increasing Privacy to Guests.

Special Architectural Features
Simple Low Rise Buildings of this Beach House were designed to merge with the surrounding landscape with heavy reliance on locally available materials.
Significant architectural features of the buildings include a mixture of plastered brick masonry walls and worm yellow colour random rubble walls, timber columned
Verandahs and half round clay tiled steep roofs. Upper floors of the Beach house is made of light weight timber / decks to give it a light and airy feeling and Japanese
touch.Visitor is first taken to a large Forecourt area before approaching the Reception. After checking-in the Visitor is “Squeezed “through a tall narrow Cathedral like
triple height access Corridor to the relevant Bed rooms. The tall narrow corridor terminates in a triple height Lounge area giving silhouetted Views of the Garden,
the Beach and the Indian Ocean beyond. The garden landscaped with tropical lush green vegetation is accessed through a cobble stone paved Pier complete with
plunge pool etc. On one side of the Lobby is located the formal Dining area over-looking a Trapezium shaped Courtyard with large tropical trees.
Kitchen, Pantry and the Laundry areas are tucked to the rear of the site. Overall the buildings express a Contemporary Vernacular Sri Lankan architectural idiom.

Orientation
The public areas and Guest Bed rooms are Orientated towards the Garden, the beach and the Sea beyond. Main Lounge and the Upper floor Suite Bed room
are rotated by 45o to facilitate maximum possible views of the “Sunset” over the far away Bay.

Site Layout
Different functions of the Beach House are Layed Out in order to optimize the views generated within the site towards the Garden, the Beach and the Sea.
The Lounge and the Suite Bed Room wing are twisted by 45o degrees in order to maximize the views of the Sunset over the Indian Ocean and the nearby Bay.

Bed rooms
Each of the Twelve Bed Rooms of this Beach House is provided with a Attached Bathroom, its own Private Exclusive Verandah in the case of Ground Floor Bed
Rooms and a private Balcony Terrace overlooking the garden, the Beach and the sea, in the case of upper Floor Bed Rooms. In addition All the Bed Room Furniture
the light fittings and other accessories are Custom Designed to a Theme. The Upper floor Bed Rooms are located on a Timber deck to give the Bedrooms a Light
and airy feeling enhancing the Japanese touch.
The Twelve guest’s rooms are all furnished to a high standard with en suite facilities and have sea – views and six have private balconies. In addition,
one suite include a Jacuzzi, separate toilet and bathroom facilities and other unique design elements. In order to preserve the simple, open feeling of a Sri Lankan
Beach, accept for the suite, all rooms are fan – cooled but have private telephones and daily linen changes.

Architect: Chinthaka Wickramage
Consultants: Chinthaka Wickramage Associates
Engineer: Keerthi Ratnayake
Civil Contractors: Pasalka Builders & Decorators
Client: Richard J Burrows
Photography: Thilina Wijesiri