We are proud to share that KAYA Retreat has won Gold at the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2026, in the category Public Amenity: Resort Buildings. The award was presented in Jaipur at the 23rd ARCASIA Forum, which brought architects from across Asia to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur from 8 to 12 September 2026.
The Gold was awarded to Damith Premathilake for “KAYA Holiday Retreat at Diyathalawa, Sri Lanka”, the retreat designed by Damith Premathilake Architects for the pine forests of Diyathalawa, in Sri Lanka’s hill country. For everyone who has helped shape KAYA, it is a moment to savour.
About the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture
ARCASIA, the Architects Regional Council Asia, represents architectural institutes across 22 countries in Asia, and the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture are the council’s own awards.
The 2026 awards were judged by an international jury: Ar. Wu Jiang (China), President of ARCASIA, Ar. Abu Sayeed (Bangladesh), Ar. Yolanda Reyes (Philippines), Raghavendera Rathore (India) and Ar. Gregory Yager (USA).
Why This Award Matters to Us
From the beginning, KAYA was designed to step back and let the forest lead. The design responded to the slope, the light and the pines, with each chalet oriented to its setting and the materials and craft drawn from the local landscape. A Gold in resort buildings tells us that this quieter way of building for hospitality speaks to architects well beyond Sri Lanka.
Being chosen by an international jury, for a retreat in the hills of Uva, means a great deal to everyone at KAYA.
On the Cover of Architecture Asia
Architecture Asia, the journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, dedicated its September 2026 issue to the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2026, with KAYA on the cover. It is an evening view of the retreat: the timber upper floor lit from within, the glass pavilion glowing beneath it, and the fire pit burning in the garden.
A Growing Record of Recognition
This Gold joins the honours KAYA has already received: a place among the finalists of the UIA 2030 Awards, recognition in the World Architecture Awards, a win at the AIA International Design Awards 2025 and a feature in Amazing Architecture. You can see the earlier honours together on our awards and affiliations page.
Come and See It for Yourself
The best way to understand what the jury saw is to spend a few quiet days among the pines. Our chalets are ready when you are, and you can read more about the architecture behind KAYA before you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
What award did KAYA Retreat win at the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2026?
KAYA won Gold in the Public Amenity: Resort Buildings category. The award was made to Damith Premathilake for KAYA Holiday Retreat at Diyathalawa, Sri Lanka.
Where were the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2026 presented?
In Jaipur, at the 23rd ARCASIA Forum, which was held in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur from 8 to 12 September 2026.
Where is KAYA Retreat?
KAYA Retreat is in Diyathalawa, set among the pine forests of Sri Lanka’s hill country.
More about the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2026 from the Architects Regional Council Asia.