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Murunga Cafe

Type: Restaurant
Status: Completed
Location: Ella, Sri Lanka
Year: 2025

Architectural brief

  • 50 Seating Capacity (Indoor & Outdoor)
  • Bar & Lounge space
  • Outdoor Fire Pit
  • Traditional Brick Pizza Oven
  • Pool Table & Souvenir Display
  • Kitchen
  • Wash Rooms
  • Total Floor Area - 2000 Sqft
Land extent: 40 perches

Set within the lush hills of Ella, Murunga Café at Wild Bee Hostel is conceived as a serene architectural retreat that harmonizes with its natural surroundings. Framed by panoramic mountain views at the front and a dense tropical forest at the rear, the design celebrates a seamless dialogue between built form and landscape.

Rooted in a tropical-rustic language, the café combines raw textures and natural materials—exposed steel, woven rattan, warm timber, and earthy masonry—to create a tactile and inviting atmosphere. The semi-open pavilion allows light, air, and views to flow freely, reinforcing a strong connection to nature.

At the entrance, a vibrant mural transforms the façade into a storytelling element, establishing a memorable identity while welcoming visitors into a layered spatial experience. As the day transitions into evening, warm ambient lighting and delicate hanging fixtures redefine the space into a relaxed and intimate setting

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