Australia House is included in the 75 years stories because of its role, over close to 50 years, in hosting diplomatic representation and visits that have strengthened the ties between Sri Lanka and Australia. In the best traditions of diplomacy, its current design represents a combination of each country’s architecture and landscaping.
The earlier house, ‘Clairloys’, was adapted to meet requirements of a diplomatic residence when it was purchased by the Australian Government in1974 from Eileen de Mel. Clairloys was built in 1951 by leading architect Mr. Reid of Edwards, Reid and Begg, with the brief of “not suffering from the tyranny of structure or from an oppressive formality”. Clairloys fine interior was enhanced by regency furniture designed by the late Count de Mauny, which complimented the striking features of the house such as a library housing thousands of books, a centre courtyard and a magical garden.
In 2012, it was proposed that a new Australia House be commissioned on the site to better suit a more modern and technological era. Clairloys was demolished, reconstructed by MAGA Engineering (Pvt) Ltd with project assistance from Australia by Mr. Ian Carpenter, and re-commissioned on the 31st of December 2013.
By combining Sri Lankan and Australian architecture, the newAustralia House allowed open, creative space to flow, with the holistic building design reinforced by a select and limited palette of materials. Large wooden front doors open to an elegant reception area known as the ‘piano room’, with ceiling to floor windows permitting natural light to spill in from all sides and providing vistas of what seems like an infinite garden beyond lush green lawn. The original courtyard area was preserved, now bordered on three sides by the piano room, a separate 20-seater dining room and the High Commissioner’s living quarters.
Externally, Australia House incorporates the Sri Lankan tradition of courtyard, where a garden is brought inside and experienced as a tranquil, cooling, light well area, set adjacent to a larger garden area. The Australian tradition is also reflected in the access to the garden through large verandahs and outdoor rooms.
These traditions make the garden the key linking element that guides the Australia House experience.
Previous owner Eileen De Mel was dedicated to the garden, including incorporating advice sought from Mr. Bevis Bawa (brother of Geoffery)in 1960. Mrs De Mel’s labours laid out the garden structure that continues to be appreciated today.
The garden is timeless, with robust, magnificent trees (including sal, mangosteen, mango, breadfruit and jackfruit) providing shade to the vast green lawn. A garden pond is crowned by a fountain and a birds nest fern, and hosts well-fed fish and tadpoles. Birds, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, monitor lizards, squirrels, bandicoots and monkeys are also frequent guests. In dry times, the garden uses rainwater collected from the roof and channelled through pebble drains into a 30,000litre tank.
Considerable efforts were undertaken in 2020 to restore key elements of Mrs De Mel’s original garden and heighten the garden’s sophisticated unfailing beauty. The existing theme of green and red foliage and flowers was used, with over new 40trees and 250 shrubs planted. Whilst maintaining the formal garden, vegetable gardens were reestablished, additional fruit trees planted and composting (including lawn tea) was reintroduced. Alongside busy Horton Place, a garden redesign included plantings of heliconia, rhapis and temple trees.
Australia House remains a perfect setting for diplomatic representation, enhanced by Sri Lanka’s lush garden greenery, bold biodiversity and acclaimed architecture.
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