The Cocoon

Headquarters for the Sri Lanka Institute of Landscape Architects (SLILA)

The Cocoon was my first large-scale architectural design during my undergraduate studies—an ambitious project that marked a turning point in my design journey. Tasked with envisioning the new headquarters for SLILA, I broke away from conventional tools commonly used in Sri Lanka, where the discipline was largely confined to AutoCAD and SketchUp. Instead, I immersed myself in computational design, experimenting with emerging digital tools and parametric workflows that were, at the time, unfamiliar within my academic context.

This project became a gateway—both symbolically and technically. It was here that I learned to speak the language of algorithms, using computation not merely as a tool, but as a means to conceptualize architecture that responds, evolves, and expresses. The Cocoon encapsulated the potential of architecture as a living, breathing system—sheltering ideas and nurturing the future of landscape thinking in Sri Lanka.

In many ways, this project laid the foundation for my architectural migration to Australia—where I would continue to push the boundaries of design, now supported by a culture that fosters innovation. The Cocoon was not just a building proposal; it was my first act of architectural rebellion.