We are deeply honoured to share that our project, “Kaya” Holiday Retreat at Diyathalawa, Sri Lanka, has been selected as a Finalist in the 3rd Cycle of the UIA 2030 Awards (2025–2026), under Category 4: Participatory, land-use-efficient and inclusive planning (SDG 11.3) — awarded by the World Congress of Architects, Barcelona.
The UIA 2030 Awards, presented by the International Union of Architects, celebrate architecture that meaningfully advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Category 4 specifically recognises projects that prioritise participatory design processes, responsible land use, and inclusive planning — values that have been at the very heart of KAYA from day one.
KAYA Retreat is not simply a place to stay. It is an exploration of what architecture can be when it works with the land and community, not against it. Nestled within the pine forests of Diyathalawa in Sri Lanka’s hill country, the retreat was conceived as a series of structures that breathe with their surroundings — touching the earth lightly, drawing materials and craft from the local landscape, and creating spaces where guests feel genuinely connected to nature and place.
From the very beginning, the vision was rooted in restraint and respect. Rather than imposing a grand footprint on the forest, the design responded to the topography, the light, and the lives of those who live and work in this part of Sri Lanka. Every decision — from the orientation of the chalets to the sourcing of timber — was made with intention. The result is a retreat that feels both discovered and inevitable, as though it has always belonged exactly where it stands.
Being recognised on the world stage of the UIA 2030 Awards affirms what we have always believed: that thoughtful, community-conscious architecture has a vital role to play in shaping a more sustainable and equitable world. It is a reminder that the most meaningful spaces are often those built not with spectacle in mind, but with quiet care for people and place.
This recognition belongs to everyone who brought KAYA to life. We are profoundly grateful to our team and craftsmen — the skilled hands, patient artisans, and dedicated builders whose expertise and passion were absolutely phenomenal in translating this vision into reality. Every joint, every beam, every carefully placed stone carries the mark of their workmanship. Architecture at this scale is never the work of one mind alone; it is a collective act of making.
We are also grateful to the local community of Diyathalawa, whose warmth and generosity have made KAYA not just a physical place, but a living one. A retreat, in the truest sense, is shaped as much by the spirit of its surroundings as by its walls and rooflines.
As we look ahead, this recognition inspires us to continue building with the same philosophy — listening first, building second, and always asking whether what we create leaves the land and its people better than we found them.
Thank you to the International Union of Architects and the jury of the UIA 2030 Awards for this honour. We are humbled and energised in equal measure.