Geoffrey Bawa Trust Geoffrey Bawa Trust

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.

The Moonamal tree placed so meticulously on the crest of Cinnamon Hill lawn draws one's eye from the Main House to the Dedduwa Lake. Its sprawling branches offer shade and respite to those making their way toward the Southern bank of the lake. Dedduwa lake is avowed for mystic folklore, most interestingly the lore of the spirit of a monk that resides abode a tree on the lake’s Honduwa island.

Stories passed down from generations can often have an interconnectedness with nature. In this episode ayurvedic expert and cultural anthropologist Dr Danister Perera delves into the cultural and spiritual curiosities of trees like Moonamal that have inspired creators and storytellers, gathered sages and devotees and healed minds and bodies over the centuries.

'To Lunuganga' webpage: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP03-Shaded-Divinity
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.

This episode is an exploration of pigment extractions and the human connection to trees through craft with Fashion Designer and Researcher Sanjeewa Wijesundara. Sanjeewa expounds upon the nuances and diversity of pigments and the processes used throughout history for extraction. With the help of select trees he reflects on the intimacy between colourist and plants nourished through technical experimentation and respectful curiosity.

This episode follows a path from the Field of Jars to the East Terrace passing by the Kumbuk, Cashew, Jackfruit, Mahogany, Tamarind and Hibiscus trees. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.

To Lunuganga: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP02-Plant-Pigments
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: https://geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

Special thanks to Mr Sanjeewa Wijesundara for his insight and passion for bringing natural dye extraction to the popular discourse and Shamin de Silva for the editing and sound design of this episode.

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.

This episode is a walk through Lunuganga on a cool January day with Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, naturalist, photographer and author of 'A Naturalist Guide to the Trees of Sri Lanka'. Gehan uncovers the intricacies of Lunuganga's flora and the fauna that flourish in its embrace as he reflects on the histories and migrations of select trees along the path and the influence of humans on globalised horticulture.

This episode follows a path from the Reading Room to the Field of Jars passing by the Jackfruit, Bilin, Mahogany, Mango, Araliya, Na, Fishtail Palm and Hora trees. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.

To Lunuganga: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP01-Rooted-Histories
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

Special thanks to Mr Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for his expertise and animated exploration of Lunuganga and Shamin de Silva for editing and sound design in this episode.

Taking Geoffrey Bawa’s approach that the architectural response to a place was specific to its particular topography and climate but also its larger environmental, social, and political context, we explore the interplay between architecture and the environment with a conversation on the making of the Kandalama Hotel with Project Architect Dilshan Ferdinando, engineer Deepal Wickremasinghe and former Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC, Prema Cooray.

A conversation with architect, theorist and writer Keller Easterling, where knowing how, rather than knowing that, can provide potentials for working. Keller is a professor at Yale University and her work has been published and exhibited extensively. This conversation was moderated by the curator of the Art and Archival Collections of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, Shayari de Silva.

This conversation is part of the public programme of the exhibition 'Geoffrey Bawa: It is Essential to be There'. For more information visit bawaexhibition.com

The Geoffrey Bawa Trust is delighted to host renowned designer, publisher and educator Lars Müller for a conversation about making books. Lars works out of Zurich and has been publishing since 1983, with a focus on books on architecture, design, photography, art and society.