Sri Lanka is aptly called 'Pachucha Desh'( Emerald country) in my mother tongue. Bird's eye-view of the island shows millions of shades of green like a chiseled gem. I was excited to visit the Lanka, not for the great Sri-Lankan cuisine, not the hospitable people or even the clean countryside but only because Sri Lanka is the country where
Geoffrey Bawa, regarded as one of the most influential architects of this century lived and worked. I hoped to see some of his works. As students one wonders if the buildings really look as good as their coffee table versions. The '
fevicol book of furniture design' had planted this distrust in my mind. Those who have seen the 90s version of this book will know what I mean.
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| Geoffrey Bawa's office - Colombo |
Well! I did manage to see some beautiful buildings designed by
Geoffrey Bawa. And they were even more appealing than in pictures. The famed light wells and courtyards did full justice to the widely published photographs :-)
The light quality in those strategically placed light wells is surreal and can be experienced only in person. Whether it is his own house or a resort, this use of open to sky courtyards to connect spaces is amazing. It brings life to built spaces around it, everything is with reference to these lovely courtyards. Either you are physically crossing it or visually connecting through it. Varying light through the day and changing seasons and adds a different dimension to these spaces making it come alive. The warmth of the place is uncanny. One wants to savor the moment while passing through that space.
Courtyards, I personally feel, not only offer a reference to one's position in a given space but have a huge impact on our emotional connect. One is subconsciously aware of one's location and physical boundaries have a huge impact on how we perceive ourselves in space. A case in point is a courtyard in
Jama Masjid, Delhi where one is a small part of the whole as opposed to this entrance courtyard to a house, a more 'personal' public space while a small courtyard just outside bedroom makes one the center of the universe.
A courtyard is an attempt to enclose a piece of nature within the built environment. An attempt to feel warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze on one's skin within the secure zone of home. Yearning to be private yet friendly.
Courtyards held a place of pride in almost every house in warm and humid zones at one time. In '
Vastushastra' it is called a '
Brahmasthan' of a vastu or building.
Brahmasthan in very simple terms means the core. This is the core of the house. It needs to be uncluttered, free of any obstacles. A place that connects everything to everything.
Central courtyards are on the decline now. Who can maintain and own such large properties, leave alone open to sky spaces with its plumbing and cleaning issues. In urbanscape every square inch counts. Yet, every now and then we see courtyards peeping through architectural magazines and one instantly feels like checking out the building.
The definition of courtyards in modern living has changed. Instead of it being the core of the house, it has shifted focus on the periphery. Giving a slice of nature behind glassed walls. Instead of being a place to connect it is now a pride of place in the house, manicured and designed. In terms of weather it may not be as useful now with central air-conditioning taking over but it still give that beautiful light, sometimes diffused, sometimes creating patterns of light and shade.
I rambled on from Bawa to Brahmsthan because I visited this lovely place on a small privately owned hill in Deccan plateau. The visitors' rooms look cosy with red sloping roofs on a contoured site surrounded by lush greenery. I entered one room expecting dark interiors and saw a beautiful play of light right in front of me. A large panel opened into this lovely covered space and I fell in love with my room. I instantly thought of all the things I could do inside my room. Talk about a city girl going out to enjoy nature inside a room :-D. Here are some pics.
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| Gavkos Farms, Pune, India - Ar Jayant Dharap |
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| Gavkos Farms, Pune, India - Ar Jayant Dharap |
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