Kadju House is a Sri Lankan beach villa designed by architect Pradeep Kodikara in Tangalle.
At the blueprint level the brief for the Kadju House started as a writer’s retreat for its Indian owner. Overlooking a pristine crescent-shaped beach, the Kadju house has four bedrooms – all with en-suite bathrooms – an Ayurvedic spa and an infinity pool with sweeping sea views.
This double storey L-shaped beach villa has minimal walls, doors and windows in the public spaces. The living and dining spaces are permeable to the garden and ocean views, and the threshold between the interior and exterior is nearly indistinct.
The home was later converted into a chic boutique hotel and has been included by Condé Nast Traveller in its selection of the 25 best beach villas in the world, and was named on the hotlist of the Sunday Times Travel Magazine.
The house is located on Seenimodara Bay, a cashew grove just outside the fishing village of Tangalle, on the south coast of the island. Among the nearby sites is the third-century BC Mulkirigala Temple, cut deep into the rock, with its ancient paintings and statues of Buddhas.
The area is also well known for bird-watching, animal safaris and jungle tours. Parrots, fishing eagles and monkeys can be spotted from the pool terrace, and peacocks often leave wet footprints on the floor of the pavilion.
Architect: Pradeep Kodikara
Photography: Tom Roe
