East Coast Sanctuary: Immersive Coastal and Lagoon Boutique Resort
Spread across 200 acres, the East Coast Sanctuary is a carefully curated 62-key, immersive coastal and lagoon boutique resort, offering five distinct experiences across The Bungalow, Beach Villas, Water Villas, The Farm, and Lagoon Cabanas. Each villa typology provides a unique interaction with the surrounding environment, ranging from completely private, isolated stays to more community-based and interactive experiences. Guests are able to select accommodations that best suit their preference for privacy, relaxation, or adventure, with each experience thoughtfully designed to immerse visitors in the natural beauty and cultural richness of Sri Lanka’s eastern coast.
The resort master plan places a strong emphasis on sustainability and a harmonious connection with nature. Accommodations include beachfront villas with private plunge pools, water villas perched over the lagoon, and cabanas nestled by the lush greenery of the lagoon. These are complemented by communal spaces such as the organic farm and central amenities such as the Ayurvedic spa and the striking seven-level watchtower. The resort offers a balance of luxurious seclusion and opportunities for social engagement, catering to a wide variety of guest preferences in a tranquil, eco-conscious setting.
The project also involves the comprehensive planning and master plan development of the land area for a hotel school and a sprawling organic farm. The first phase of the project entails the design of the hotel school which aims to offer vocational training for the hospitality sector and includes classrooms, cafeteria, spa, staff & student accommodation and associated services.
The client’s brief called for a vernacular product that is hyper local with a focus on low-cost materials and environmental sustainability. While being sensitive to the regional context, the design sought to present a modern interpretation of the traditional kovil roofed villas to create a distinct and collective identity that is rooted in place and time.
