Welcome to another exciting “Behind the Scenes” update as we take you through the fascinating journey of constructing our hotel in the heart of Sri Lanka. Over the past eight weeks, since the commencement of construction, we’ve made a lot of progress and want to share the highlights with you.
Constructing in Sri Lanka presents its unique challenges, and what stands out is the minimal use of tools being used for construction. With only two small cement mixers, a compact excavator, and a dedicated team relying on manual labor, it’s truly impressive how rapidly the initial structure has taken shape. The dedication of the workers has been extraordinary, showcasing the exceptional speed at which our dream hotel is becoming a reality.
The first step involved cleaning and leveling of the construction grounds. Beyond the practical aspects, this phase allowed us to appreciate the natural slope of our land, enhancing the views from different lodges.
During this process, we identified the need for box gutters to address water drainage during the monsoon season.
We also have to deal with sporadic heavy rains outside the rainy season, a factor accounted for in our construction timeline. Our constructor keeps a record of weather conditions (at 30-minute intervals) on paper to be able to explain any delay in construction.
Initiating with the casting of ground columns and slabs, we laid the foundation for our eight lodges and the grand pavilion. The cement is mixed in the little cement mixer and transported in small buckets by hand. The demanding climate, with temperatures consistently exceeding 30 degrees and high humidity, add an extra layer of challenge to this labor-intensive work.
While finalizing design tweaks for the lodges, we started with the brickwork. The walls of most lodges were erected within a fortnight, offering a tangible glimpse into the future ambiance of our lodges. Notice the small holes? They’re the remnants from the scaffold (which looks a lot like a selfmade construction but does it job), soon to be filled with bricks.
Given the floating design of our lodges, reaching heights of 2.5 meters, a structural support structure was necessary. Opting for a timeless “rubble wall” finish, crafted stone by stone by experienced craftsmen, we not only ensure structural integrity but also create a visually appealing facade. This construction involves real rocks, each individually shaped to create a stunning finished wall, a tradition over centuries in Sri Lanka. Underneath the lodge we will hide essential infrastructure, such as air conditioning units.
With the groundwork reaching completion, the next phase involves backfilling both the pavilion and the lodges. This undertaking requires a substantial quantity of soil, approximately 100 cubic meters, each weighing 1682 kilograms, culminating in a total of 168 tons of soil needed.
For each soil delivery, we must obtain a permit from the government (which can sometimes take a few days). The transportation of soil by small trucks presents a logistical puzzle, with each vehicle capable of carrying a maximum of 2 cubic meters. Consequently, we find ourselves coordinating 50 truck deliveries to meet the backfilling requirements.
Complicating matters, the sole access route to our site is a (sand) road, and some of our neighbors were displeased with the constant truck deliveries. Consequently, they began to block the road. However, after a few conversations, wherein we promised the improvement of the road’s condition post-construction, the neighbors lifted the blockade, allowing truck loading to resume.
While construction is in full swing, we are actively engaged in ongoing design work. From bathroom modifications to staff-house layouts and repositioning infrastructure buildings (water tanks, electrical & pump room) we’re navigating through what might seem like organized chaos.
With just seven months until the grand opening of Sola in Sri Lanka, our focus is not only on construction but also on the operational facets of running a hotel. From booking systems to rate cards, from shop items to fine-tuning procedures, and from crafting a restaurant offering to hiring of staff – the countdown to an unforgettable experience has begun.
Stay tuned as we continue to unfold the story behind the creation of Sola.
