Kohuwala, Sri Lanka
2024
1280 sqft
Kohuwala, Sri Lanka
2024
1280 sqft
Located in Kohuwala, Sri Lanka, The Octa is a 1,280 sqft temporary structure designed as an extension to the Sakya Educational Institute. This project seamlessly integrates a bookshop on the ground floor and a café on the first floor, providing a dynamic and engaging space for students and visitors. The client’s primary requirement was to create a cost-effective, adaptable, and visually striking addition that reflects Sakya’s signature color theme while ensuring efficient space utilization.
By utilizing two repurposed shipping containers, the design balances functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal, making it a unique architectural intervention in the urban fabric.
The design is rooted in modularity and adaptability, leveraging customized container modules to create a compact yet vibrant space. The ground floor bookshop is designed for accessibility and efficiency, while the first-floor café offers an elevated experience with a semi-open ambiance, allowing users to visually engage with people in the open ground area.
A key design approach was the strategic use of glass, steel and perforated metal for exterior & interior fit-outs, enhancing natural light flow and transparency while maintaining the theme. The bold yellow and dark metal palette creates a visually striking contrast, reinforcing Sakya’s brand identity. Vertical greenery and graffiti art further enrich the space, adding an urban and youthful vibrancy to the design.
With its efficient layout, sustainable material use, and modern industrial character, The Octa serves as a compelling example of how temporary structures can be both functional and architecturally expressive.
