Featured Project — Concept Design
Amandaria
Where the river shapes the retreat.
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Concept Design — 2024
Amandaria is a contemporary tropical wellness retreat where architecture is shaped by the landscape and the Vanya Nadia (Wild River), creating an immersive destination that celebrates nature, wellbeing, and understated luxury.
Cutler & Co Architects
Project Manifesto
Project Overview
Amandaria is a contemporary tropical wellness retreat designed around the natural beauty and restorative presence of the Vanya Nadia (Wild River), which flows through the site. The river acts as both a physical and spiritual anchor, guiding the placement of buildings, pathways, wellness facilities, and guest accommodation.
The architecture is integrated into the landscape through a collection of pavilions and carefully positioned structures that embrace the sights, sounds, and cooling influence of the river. Guests are encouraged to slow down and reconnect with nature as they move through lush gardens, walking trails, wellness spaces, and private accommodations immersed in the tropical environment.
Amandaria — Kandy, Sri Lanka
Design Narrative
A retreat shaped
by the river.
Design Narrative: Amandaria is a contemporary tropical wellness retreat designed around the natural beauty and restorative presence of the Vanya Nadia (Wild River). The river acts as both a physical and spiritual anchor, guiding the placement of buildings, pathways, wellness facilities, and guest accommodation.
Climate Response: Responding to climate through passive design principles, the project incorporates natural ventilation, deep overhangs, shaded outdoor living areas, and seamless indoor–outdoor transitions. Natural materials, warm textures, and simple architectural forms create a refined yet grounded atmosphere connected to place.
The River Experience: The retreat experience is centred on wellbeing, with the river remaining a constant presence throughout the guest journey. From private villas to riverside decks, restaurants, bridges, and landscaped pathways, the Vanya Nadia becomes an integral part of daily life at Amandaria.
Regenerative Destination: At its core, Amandaria is a regenerative destination that enhances rather than occupies the land. Sustainable systems and environmentally conscious design principles are embedded throughout, creating a retreat where luxury, wellness, and nature exist in harmony.
Guests are encouraged to slow down and reconnect with nature as they move through lush gardens, walking trails, wellness spaces, and private accommodations immersed in the tropical environment. Each space is designed to dissolve the boundary between interior and landscape.
This project is the result of international collaboration between Australian and Sri Lankan teams — demonstrating Cutler & Co's capability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects and deliver a cohesive architectural vision across borders.
Masterplan
Site Planning
& Masterplan
The Amandaria project has been carefully planned to maximise functionality, site responsiveness, and long-term liveability.
The masterplan demonstrates the relationship between built form, circulation, landscape, and the broader site context — establishing the foundation for the project's architectural vision.
Structures are positioned to follow the natural contours of the ridgeline, preserving existing rock formations, mature trees, and natural drainage. Each pavilion — the owner's residence, guest villas, restaurant, spa, and arrival sequence — is oriented to optimise views, cross-ventilation, and privacy from adjacent elements.
Site Plan — Scale 1:1500 · Click to enlarge
Project Gallery
Through every lens.
Click any image to enlarge
The Wellness Retreat
Shaped by
the river.
The Vanya Nadia flows through the heart of the retreat — a constant, cooling presence that guides the placement of every wellness space, pathway, and pavilion. The river is not a backdrop; it is the experience.
Design Highlights
What defines
this project.
01
Concept Design
The architectural language responds directly to the tropical climate and natural landscape of Kandy, Sri Lanka. Pavilion forms, deep overhangs, and open structures create spaces shaped by passive design principles and the constant presence of the Vanya Nadia.
02
Site Planning
Buildings, pathways, wellness facilities, and guest accommodation are positioned to follow the natural topography and the flow of the river. The masterplan celebrates the landscape rather than imposing upon it, preserving existing vegetation and natural drainage.
03
Guest Experience & Journey
The guest journey is carefully considered from arrival to departure. Movement through the site is intuitive and immersive — lush gardens, riverside walking trails, and shaded pathways guide guests between wellness spaces, dining, and private accommodation.
04
Architectural Language
Natural materials, warm textures, and simple architectural forms create a refined yet grounded atmosphere. Seamless indoor–outdoor transitions, shaded living areas, and natural ventilation define a consistent design language connected to place.
05
Sustainable Design
Sustainable systems and environmentally conscious design principles are embedded throughout. Natural ventilation, deep overhangs, and passive cooling strategies reduce reliance on mechanical systems while maintaining a world-class wellness experience.
06
International Collaboration
Amandaria is the product of international collaboration between Australian and Sri Lankan teams. The project demonstrates Cutler & Co's capability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects across borders — from concept to design direction.
Inspired by Amandaria?
Every exceptional project
begins with a conversation.
If Amandaria resonates with your vision, we'd welcome the opportunity to explore what is possible for your site, your brief, and your ambitions.