Award winning Architect signs on to design eco-friendly Shipping Container Boutique Resort in Galle, Sri Lanka, the World’s Number 1 rated travel destination for 2013


Galle, Sri Lanka February 2013 -- Templeberg Villa has released its ambitious Sri Lankan expansion concept plan by award winning Sri Lankan architect Damith Premathilake.

Templeberg Villa – Recycled Shipping Container Accommodation and Artist space to be built in Galle

Templeberg Villa, is a five acre, jungle set property, perched upon a hill top in sunny, southern Sri Lanka.
At Templeberg resort guests will be able to celebrate the landscape, culture and sensibilities of what makes Sri Lanka Lonely Planet’s number one rated travel destination in 2013. The site boasts one of the island nation's few 200 year old Dutch Colonial Merchant houses.

The boutique home-stay already offers guests a master suite, three double rooms, and a double room hideaway bungalow, all furnished with four poster beds and period furniture. The resort is also a working coconut plantation.

The new project will blend interiors and exteriors, old and new, public and private using modern and eco-friendly materials. Cantilevered structures, draped over 200 year old hand-cut stone walls, will meld beautifully with the lush, surrounding landscape. "Green" will not only underpin the energy conservation, and sustainability principles of the project but and blur the lines between the jungle and the built environment.

Sri Lankan based Damith Premathilake, Principal Architect of Damith Premathilake Associates, says “The resort will be designed to integrate naturally into the hillside contours and forest surroundings with an environmentally sensitive, contemporary and respectful architectural style showcasing the location's striking natural attributes.

“It’s important to myself and the Villa’s owners that the shipping container project incorporates and show cases sustainable practices and indigenous materials wherever possible, with ample use of recycled materials” added Premathilake.

Strategic positioning of the two-bedroom pool chalets on secluded slopes throughout the property will provide privacy and relaxation. At 2,600 square feet (160 square metres), the new chalets will include entertaining spaces, a swimming pool, and open air bathrooms."Within the cultural triangle of Galle’s famous sitting and standing Buddhas, its world heritage fort and lush tropical surrounds Templeberg guests will feel 'at peace' with the earth and forest," says Templeberg Villa proprietor Christopher Shields.

"The innovative architecture, incorporating subtle Sri Lankan influences, will blend beautifully with the natural landscape. We’re excited to be collaborating with such a highly respected and visionary architect as Damith Premathilake." remarked Shields.

Templeberg Villa will also feature an Artist Space on its historic 200 year old property, a new concept for Sri Lanka. Artists from all over the world, working with sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, aerosols and multimedia will be able to apply for a four week residency program in the multi-purpose free-standing structure. Templeberg Villa will partially offset the costs of the residency program.

###

Note to editor:

High-res jpegs of the Templeberg Concept Plan and Damith Premithalake are available. Please contact Brent Carey with any requests.

About Templeberg Villa

Templeberg Villa is a Kiwi/Aussie, family run villa rental service in Galle, Sri Lanka. Templeberg Villa’s history dates back to 1864, when the property was first established as an Old Dutch Colonial Merchants house and working coconut plantation. The style of the property is befitting of a colonial manor house that has been lovingly restored and furnished with period antiques by a German expatriate family. 2012 is the first time the villa has been open to guests.

Templeberg Villa is a true family effort, led by Christopher Shields and his business partner Brent Carey and Christopher’s mother, Karin Jansson who speaks fluent Swedish. After years in the New Zealand and Australian hospitality and banking sectors, Christopher was drawn to the opportunities presented by villa management in South East Asia having lived and travelled extensively throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia Hong Kong and Taiwan. Shields ‘extensive knowledge of hospitality and marketing sectors is complemented by Carey’s business and public relations experience.

Villa reservations can be made online at www.templeberg.com or by email [email protected].

About Damith Premathilake

Damith Premathilake, a young Architect by comparison is the principle Architect and the founder of Damith Premathilake Associates of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He received his Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc.) in Built Environment in 2001 and his Masters degree in Architecture in 2006 from the University of Moratuwa. In 2008 he advanced professionally as a Chartered Architect by completing the AIA (SL) and is currently reading for a Post Graduate Degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Moratuwa. He is an Associate Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and also a Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Landscape Architects. Further to that, he is a visiting design tutor and an examiner for the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa and City School of Architecture at Colombo.

The special landmark of his carrier was his achievement of the Design Excellence award for the best Architectural Design and more over by winning the Excellence Award for the Most Innovative and Informative Display panels at the Award Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects in 2012. Recently he was awarded the World Architecture Community Awards - 2012 for one of his projects. His continuous contribution to the field of Architecture presently stands testament to successful achievements in future.