La Luna Pizzeria And Café

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

La Luna Pizzeria and Café

The Silent Architect

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Thilina Wijesiri, Gayathri Kumari

DESIGN TEAM
Mahima Herath, Mahesh Guruge

AREA
1700 Ft²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Colombo, Sri Lanka

CATEGORY
Restaurants & Bars, Coffee Shop, Adaptive Reuse

La Luna Pizzeria and Cafe, a celestial symphony orchestrated by the Silent Architect, emerges as a testament to the enchanting fusion of Italian culinary traditions within the vibrant tropical context of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

At its heart, this project embodies the spirit of small restaurants that grow organically, mirroring the captivating evolution of Italian kitchens and restaurants.

Rooted in the organic growth seen in small Italian restaurants, the design journey of La Luna begins with a broken yet resilient structure that transforms over time.

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

A homage to the inherent charm of small eateries that start with minimal resources and flourish step by step, this project integrates classic Italian elements seamlessly into the lush surroundings of Colombo.

Before its transformation, La Luna's history tells a tale of resilience. Initially built in 1980 as a family home for a Sri Lankan judge, it later served as a temporary shelter for construction workers, leaving it weathered and marked by the passage of time.

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

Despite its varied uses and temporary partitions, the potential of this structure remained evident, becoming the canvas for a poetic reinvention.

Silent Architectural Studio strategically reimagines the existing structure, transcending the absence of traditional Italian elements like arches, and transforms it into a canvas that seamlessly blends Sri Lankan tropical vibrancy with the sophisticated simplicity found in Italian culinary spaces.

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

Facing constraints on construction materials, La Luna becomes a beacon of adaptability, showcasing techniques like lime washing, Samara application, and titanium experimentation.

Resourceful utilization of materials embodies the spirit of small eateries, creatively bringing the Italian aesthetic to life.

Inspired by the heart of Italian homes, where the kitchen is the central hub of family life and social gatherings, La Luna transforms into a warm and inviting atmosphere.

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

The front yard, adorned with two inviting doorways, becomes a stage for organic growth, mirroring the Italian culinary tradition of small kitchens flourishing in front of homes.

This spatial choreography guides patrons seamlessly through inviting entryways, past strategically placed elements like the 'moon mural' and outdoor bench, creating a sensorial journey that surpasses expectations.

Thoughtful additions, including an outdoor bench framing a 'wathusudu' tree, an arched entry through the old car porch, and the iconic 'moon mural' in the central courtyard, embody the symbiosis of Italian aesthetics with the tropical Sri Lankan landscape.

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

Beyond its commercial purpose, La Luna serves as a living testament to the strategic fusion of architectural and economic ingenuity. The initial strategy becomes the evolving heartbeat, defining the unique character of La Luna and celebrating the authentic and organic culture of small eateries.

In conclusion, La Luna is more than a renovated space; it's a living testament to the resilience of Sri Lankan tropical structures merging seamlessly with the organic growth observed in small Italian kitchens and restaurants.

La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
© Ganidu Balasuriya

La Luna's story unfolds as an architectural narrative that embraces the essence of two distinct architectural heritages, leaving an indelible mark in the heart of Colombo.


La Luna Pizzeria And Café
Section AA
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
Section BB


La Luna Pizzeria And Café
Plan - Ground Floor
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
Plan - 1st Floor
La Luna Pizzeria And Café
Plan - 2nd Floor