new images of nomadic resorts and bo reudler studio's eco-resort in sri lanka

the wild coast tented lodge in sri lanka has been designed by nomadic resorts and bo reudler studio. the man-made structures blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape thanks to the use of carefully selected natural materials. the use of arched fabric structures allows each of the twenty eight cocoon tents to take on the shape and colour of the rocks and boulders that lay scattered nearby, whilst a clever layout in the shape of a leopard’s paw print alludes to the area’s most famous resident.

vehicles will whisk guests to the quietest corners of yala national park

while the main buildings, made of bamboo, blend in with the distinctive rock formations of yala, the uniquely shaped tents, called ‘cocoons’ and ‘urchins’, offer a luxury five star resort with state-of-the art amenities including air-conditioning. the open-air bamboo-clad bar and dining pavilion – designed to mirror the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond – wrap around the resort’s enormous free-form swimming pool. guests can enjoy creative daily-changing menus of authentic sri lankan cuisine in the restaurant, as well as sundowner cocktails and picnics al fresco on the sand dunes, watching dusk settle over the indian ocean. the library doubles up as an educational centre where guests learn about the wildlife in the park and watch documentaries, further explained by the lodge’s expert guides.

the open-air bamboo-clad bar and dining pavilion 

the space is designed to mirror the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond 

the 55m2 king bedded cocoon suites boast soaring vaulted ceilings

the interiors fuse colonial expedition chic with contemporary design innovations

the family cocoon suites with the beach beyond

the family cocoon suites sport an adjoining twin-bedded 20m2 urchin, perfect for older kids

aerial view of the resort

the resort viewed at dusk

project info:

project name: wild coast tented lodge

project location: palatupana, yala 82600, sri lanka

client: resplendent ceylon

program: resort with welcome area, restaurant, bar, library, pool, spa, 28 looper villas and 8 urchin children’s rooms

total floor area: 5250 m2

architect: nomadic resorts

design team: olav bruin, with freddie catlow, inma cantero, oana tudose, julian klaus trummer

interior design: bo reudler studio

design team: bo reudler, with mandy finke, oana tudose, maddalena gioglio, daniela oliveira, nele teerlinck, larissa thoin, martyna purtak

landscape design: nomadic resorts

environmental & MEP engineering: xc02 energy

lighting consultant: robert jan vos

contractor: nomadic resorts

design: 2014 – 2015

construction: 2015 – 2017

completion: september 2017

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom