Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works

by Geoffrey Bawa, David Robson

Few architects of the twentieth century have achieved the harmonious and pleasurable fusion of local building traditions with modern forms and sensibility as has Geoffrey Bawa. The man and the buildings that he has created over the last forty years have become legendary in the region and influential around the world. Born in Sri Lanka in 1919 and educated at Cambridge University, Bawa initially worked in a Colombo law firm before returning to London's progressive Architecture Association as a student in the 1950s. His early works were houses that artfully married vernacular styles and sensitively responded to climate and site with a modern architectural vocabulary. It wasn't long before his talents were applied on a larger scale, to a number of carefully designed hotels, the Sri Lanka parliament, and a wide variety of schools, office buildings, and other public works. His oeuvre is symbolized by the evolution of his own residences, in Colombo and in Lunuganga, which eloquently reflect Bawa's career and personality. This ambitious publication is a comprehensive documentation and appreciation of the man and his work. Introductory chapters present Bawa's early life and the influence of local architecture and his education, while the heart of the book is a portfolio of his most important works. The reference section includes a complete chronology. Architecture trends come and go, often fueled by a preoccupation with technology, but master architects whose works transgress boundaries, history, and styles always have something to teach. In the work of Geoffrey Bawa there are lessons for all of us. 600 photographs and illustrations, 300 in color.

Genres: Architecture, Art, Design

278 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sonntag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropical Storm of Bawa

This is the most comprehensive monograph of Geoffrey Bawa. Mr. Bawa is the figure head of Tropical Modernism and defender of Sri Lanka architecture heritage. The book documents his lifework through beautiful photographs (historic and more recent), and magnificent hand drawings. The book also contained great background information of the architect’s life and his country Sri Lanka, where all of his realized work took place. His work is organized in chronological order and the reader can clearly see an evolution of his work from heavy colonial influence to critical regionalism.
The sense of serenity his environment created quietly overthrown Western superiority in architecture of post-colonial Sri Lanka, and furthermore, it’s taking over the design world through tropical storm.



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[Kavya T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive book on Bawa. Over the past 16 years I've dipped in and out of this book countless times and have always come away with something inspire or awe from one of the greatest architects (in my opinion) from this part of the world.
Robson's writing is layered and nuanced and doesn't eulogise. This is an insight into not only Bawa, but the influences that made him who he was, the local context and the people who inspired and helped him in his journey. Robson's knowledge and friendship of Bawa is evident throughout and the writing is never laboured or too technical.
The beautiful photographs and sketches only add to the overall beauty of the book.
A must for architects and for anyone with an interest in design.

[ROBERT MAISNAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice book.I would recommend to my class.

[Oli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic prologue to visiting Bawa's work.

[Vinoth Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Uyên-minh Lê · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went through the amazing completed works by Geoffrey Bawa. Worth of checking out.