1961-1963
Geoffrey Bawa
Image 1: Main entrance, House for Dr. Bartholomeuz
The house was designed for Dr. Bartholomeuz but was then cancelled near completion. Then the house was converted to an architectural office for Geoffrey Bawa, which is also the architect of this building. The house was designed based on Ena de Silva House, which has the main idea of narrower and longer design. Few courtyards were present in this building that seperate buildings of different purposes. The first courtyard seperates the servants room and the garage from the main parts of the building.
Image 2: Courtyard area, House for Dr. Bartholomeuz
As seen in Image 2, the main courtyard which is in the middle of the main buildings, leads to the main pavilion of the house. This courtyard was a pool court (shown in Image 3), that serves as also the main movement area, that people have to pass through and hence to reach the main building. The courtyards and verandahs cools down the building's temperature and air conditioning were even obviated in a country with hot climate. Polished coconut tree trunks were used as columns for the building's support. These columns were polished and base on a granite base as to avoid termite attacks.
Image 3: Pool Court and Columns, House for Dr. Bartholomeuz
"Mangalore" tiles were used as the tiles for the roof of the building which helps in controlling the temperature of the building. This house is also the forst tile on cement roof house. The tiles required minimal insulation and also lightweight. The combination of waterproof cement and good insulation tiles provide the house with the most suitable roof structure. The effort of conversion of the house to an office was so little that not much modification had to be done. Office spaces acquired considerable amount of sunlight where its the essential requirement for a architectural office, which is shown in Image 4. Since 1997, the unused office was converted into a gallery and shops.
Image 4:Working space, House for Dr. Bartholomeuz
In my opinion, the house's design was largely based on the idea of Chinese courtyards which focuses people to move along or to the courtyard spaces that serves as the main meeting area in a building. The building has the idea of tropical architecture where it uses the greenery as a part of the context of the building where it surrounds the building as for the context of this building. Controlling the temperature and ventilation throughout the building was further enhanced with the presence of courtyards and trees around the building.
Source: Robson, David. 2002. Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works. London: Thames and Hudson
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