15/10/2026
Inheriting an existing concrete frame is a very different architectural challenge than designing from a blank canvas. Rather than dictating the structural grid, the task is figuring out how to give rigid bones softness, breath, and purpose.
When we stepped into UNU Boutique Hotel, the primary structure was already standing. Rather than working against what was there, our role was an architectural transformation: re-engineering the circulation, introducing passive airflow, and shaping a static skeleton into an intimate coastal retreat:
* Softening the ground plane: We broke up the rigid geometry by introducing organic, sweeping washed terrazzo steps that cascade toward the central pool and courtyard garden.
* Passive climate skins: We wrapped the suites in operable timber louvers and slatted screening, allowing sea breezes to filter through living spaces while maintaining privacy from neighboring rooms.
* Tactile material layering: We introduced raw, grounding finishes to contrast the white framework: hand-laid forest green herringbone tiles, warm ochre outdoor enclosures, untreated brass fixtures, and woven ceiling details.
* The crowning pavilion: An expansive open-truss timber roof deck framing the canopy, turning the top floor into a naturally ventilated gathering space that captures the evening offshore breeze.
Reimagining an existing build isn’t about hiding the past; it’s about knowing where to carve away, where to soften, and how to introduce tactile craftsmanship that makes the space feel entirely intentional.
Swipe through to see the finished transitions on site.
Whether you’re breaking ground on a raw parcel of land or looking to reimagine an existing structure along the coast, let’s explore the architectural potential early.
tropical modernism, boutique hotel architecture, UNU Ahangama, bespoke architectural joinery, coastal hospitality design, Sri Lanka architecture, passive climate design
