Leo Burnett Cannes Predictions Event - Cannes Lions 2008

The Fortress Sri Lanka - Old Ceylon Modern Asia

The Fortress

On one of Sri Lanka's finest beaches and close to the ancient city of Galle, The Fortress is fashioned in the style of a sixteenth century fort but infused with the latest facilities and concepts of design.

This award winning, 49 roomed luxury resort has carved itself on the world map by creating the most expensive dessert in the world.

Priced at USD 14,500, ‘The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence’ is a combined effort by the resort’s culinary team to create a one of a kind dessert that is intrinsically linked with the destination, offering both long lasting memories and a keepsake of the experience. Available now on special request, the dessert’s inspiration comes from the resort’s logo of the ‘stilt fisherman’, a centuries old fishing practice that continues to this day and can still be seen along this spectacular coastline.

A combination of a gold leaf Italian kasata flavored with Baileys and served with a mango and pomegranate compote and a champagne sabayon enlighten, forms the mouthwatering base of this delicious desert, however, the finishing touch is the 80 carat aquamarine stone nestled on the handmade chocolate stilt fisherman. This one of a kind culinary delight has definitely got people around the world buzzing with awe.

This dessert is served at Wine³, The Fortress’ sensational glass wine cave which houses over 2,000 of the world’s finest vintages and is accompanied by handmade studio flared glass cutlery – the first glass cutlery of its kind in the world which has been exclusively designed for The Fortress by Glass Studio.
The Fortress’ in Sri Lanka was recently named one of the world''s hottest new hotels in both the Condé Nast Traveller UK Hot List 2007 and in the Condé Nast Traveler US Hot List 2007. The Lime Spa at The Fortress also entered the Hot Spa List within the US edition.

The Fortress is part of Per Aquum Resorts & Spas and Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Visit :: www.thefortress.lk

Geoffrey Bawa Gardens at Lunuganga Sri Lanka

Lunuganga

"A place of continued varied sensations"

The 25 acres of garden at Lunuganga is the creation of one man’s vision which, over 40 years, was nurtured into a reality. After purchasing an abandoned rubber estate in 1948, Geoffrey Bawa created this tropical garden idyll. The Italian inspired gardens, with spectacular views over the lake and tropical jungle, has been transformed into a series of outdoor rooms creating a huge feeling of space with vistas that have been carefully chosen to emphasize their beauty with points of architecture and art; from entrances, pavilions, broad walks to a multitude of courtyards and pools.
Guests at Lunuganga have the privilege of wandering the gardens aimlessly, picnicking in one of many romantic and private pockets or sitting reading, writing or painting in such an inspiring environment.
During the months of November to April, the gardens are not open to the public.

"one of the most exciting moments was the opening up of vistas..not based on prearranged formality..the garden planned itself" Geoffrey Bawa

Visit :: http://www.lunuganga.net/lunuganga.html

Geoffrey Bawa

Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa is the most renowned architect in Sri Lanka and was among the most influential architects in Southeast Asia in the last decades of the 20th century, he is the principal force behind what is today known globally as ‘tropical modernism’.

Geoffrey Bawa was born in 1919 to wealthy parents of mixed European and Ceylonese descent. He was educated at Royal College after which he studied English at Cambridge University gaining a BA (English Literature Tripos) and went on to study law at Middle Temple, London becoming a Barrister in 1944. Returning to Ceylon after the war he started working for a Colombo Law firm. But soon he left to travel for two years, almost settling in Italy. Only after this did he turned to architecture at the age of 38.

He became apprenticed to the architectural practice of Edwards Reid and Begg in Colombo after he advanced his education in architecture by gaining a Diploma in Architecture from Architectural Association, London in 1956 and in the following year he became an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects where upon he returned to Ceylon becoming a partner of Messrs. Edwards, Reid and Begg, Colombo in 1958. Bawa became an Associate of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects in 1960. An ensuing close association with a coterie of like-minded artists and designers, including Ena de Silva, Barbara Sansoni and Laki Senanayake, produced a new awareness of indigenous materials and crafts, leading to a post colonial renaissance of culture.

Visit :: www.geoffreybawa.com