Brief Garden by Bevis Bawa: A Masterpiece of Landscape Architecture

Located close to the town of Bentota, on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, Brief Garden is a breathtakingly landscaped, historically significant garden designed by Bevis Bawa, the younger brother of renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. The garden, spanning 5 acres, is an expression of Bevis Bawa’s passion for landscape design, art, and Sri Lanka’s natural world. Famous for its tropical plants, offbeat design elements, and serene ambiance, Brief Garden is Sri Lanka’s finest example of landscaping and a trip not to be overlooked by anyone with a passion for horticulture, history, or design.

History and Background
Brief Garden’s history begins in the 1920s when Bevis Bawa purchased the property and began building the tropical paradise it is today. Initially, the garden was a natural, unlandscaped chunk of wilderness, but through Bevis Bawa’s artistic eyes and meticulous detail, it came to be one of sculptured landscapes, Sri Lankan wildflowers, and exotic plants. Bawa lived in the garden until his death in 1992, at which time upon his death, the garden became open to visitors.

Bevis Bawa, an artist and enthusiast of both Western and Eastern art styles, designed the garden with a combination of formal and informal design. The garden was a labor of love and reflection of his personality eclectic, trailblazing, and nature-loving. The name “Brief Garden” is attributed to the garden’s relatively small size compared to other estates in the area. While it might not have the broad majesty of some bigger gardens, it is rich in creativity and beauty.

Garden Design and Layout
Brief Garden is a quintessential tropical garden with a distinctive, layered composition. Bawa’s composition is both beautiful and functional, drawing on the best elements of both formal European gardens and loose tropical environments. The composition of the garden is broken down into several sections, each having its own style and purpose.

The Entrance and Central Walkway: The initial interface between visitors and Brief Garden is the entrance that propels one to a series of winding walkways. These walkways are flanked by trees and manicured hedges, symbolizing a warm ambiance that welcomes visitors further into the garden. The central walkway navigates one through the garden, walking one past statues, sculptures, and foliage that instills both harmony and isolation.

The Water Garden: Another garden highlight is the serene water garden. One of the smaller areas of the garden, this is a small, tranquil pond with foliage surrounding it everywhere. The tranquility of the water is reflected in the foliage, creating a peaceful ambiance. Water lilies and lotus flowers, as well as other aquatic plants, thrive here, offering a soothing contrast to the more rugged areas of the garden.

The Bamboo Grove: The bamboo grove is the second integral element of Brief Garden’s design. The high, slender bamboo trees create an oriental atmosphere and serve as a natural screen to divide up different areas of the garden. Bamboo is a symbol that has been invested with meanings of resilience and strength for centuries, and its inclusion in the garden imparts a quality of serenity and strength to the overall scheme.

The Viewpoints and Terraces: Strategically placed in various locations about the garden, Bevis Bawa constructed viewpoints and terraces that overlook the general landscape. One has a fine view of the panoramic spread of tropical countryside, the Bentota River nearby, and the far-off hills from these vantage points. These raised platforms are ideal for recreation, meditation, and taking in the scenery of the garden from novel perspectives.

The Sculpture Garden: Another feature of Brief Garden is the scattering of sculptures around the property. Bevis Bawa was also a painter and sculptor, and his creative hand can be seen in the many sculptures woven into the landscape. Some are whimsical, some abstract, but all contribute to the atmosphere of the garden. They are precisely placed to blend into the surrounding flora and natural terrain, offering a perfect blend of nature and art.

The Floral Gardens: True to the tropical climate of Sri Lanka, the Brief Garden is home to a varied multitude of plant species. The garden has flowering shrubs like bougainvillea, hibiscus, and multitudes of various orchid species, producing colors throughout the estate. Trees in the shape of banyans and palm trees dot the landscape, with the former casting shade and creating structure for the garden. Diverse plant richness gives the garden ever-changing and living beauty.

The Tropical House: A tropical house containing a series of exotic plants is found inside the garden. This house itself is a success for Bevis Bawa and his ability to merge tropical gardening with Western-style buildings. Unusual and bizarre plant species which would not be able to live outside in such conditions are located in the tropical house, creating a closed system where such delicate plants can prosper.

Architectural Features
Bevis Bawa’s impact as an architect is also evident in the design of the buildings in the garden. While the garden is best known for its plants, the existence of well-designed buildings such as terraces, walkways, and gazebos is essential to the overall beauty of the garden. The design of the garden allows for the existence of easy interfaces between the natural and built environments, where stone walkways and carved works of art are positioned so that they become part of the greenery surrounding them.

The garden contains beautiful, unexpected details such as the small brick arched bridge across the water garden, the stone staircase through the bamboo thicket, and secluded sitting areas tucked away in flowering shrubs. These features take the visitor on a stroll around the garden such that with every turn and bend there’s another view, new plant, and new appearance.

Sustainability and Conservation
Bevis Bawa was deeply committed to the cause of sustainability and conservation of the environment, values that are the cornerstone of the very philosophy of Brief Garden. Right from the selection of native plants to the careful consideration of the natural topography of the site, the garden is a model of eco-friendly design. The garden design prioritizes biodiversity, providing habitat to a variety of bird, butterfly, and other wildlife species.

Visitors and Tours
Brief Garden is now open to the public and attracts viewers from all over the world who are eager to witness its unique beauty. The garden is a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern life and gives visitors an opportunity to interact with nature in close and meaningful ways.

When guests arrive, they can embark on a guided tour of the garden to discover Bevis Bawa’s design philosophy, the estate’s history, and the various plant species that live there. The guides, who are educated about the garden, provide insightful commentary about how the garden was created, how it has developed over time, and what vision Bawa had for the property. It is a good opportunity to learn about the concealed facts of the garden, such as Bawa’s use of sculptures, water features, and some plant compositions.

Entrance Fee – LKR 2,000/- per person

Duration: 1-2 hours

Open Hours – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Traveling to Brief Garden

By Air

If you’re coming from an international location or from far within Sri Lanka, the nearest airport is the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo. From there, you can use various modes of transportation to reach Bentota, which is about 80km away.

By Road

From Colombo or the airport, there are several options to consider:

• Taxi Service: You can hire a taxi which might offer the most direct and comfortable route to Bentone.
• Bus: Take a bus headed to Aluthgama or Bentota and get off at the nearest stop to Brief Garden. From there, you can take a tuk-tuk or a short walk depending on the distance.
• Rent a Car: Renting a car provides the flexibility to travel at your own pace and explore the region en route to Brief Garden.

By Rail

Train travel offers a scenic route along the coast. Take a train from Colombo to Aluthgama or Bentota railway station and then a taxi or tuk-tuk to Brief Garden.

Local Tips

• It’s advisable to arrange your transport in advance, especially if relying on taxi or rental services.
• Local tuk-tuks are readily available but be prepared to negotiate the fare before starting your journey.
• When using public transport, always check the latest schedules as timings can change.

Contact Information

Before your trip, you might want to contact the property directly for any inquiries or updates. Here is the contact information:

• Phone: +94 34 227 6033

Map of Brief Garden by Bevis Bawa