A private screening of the 2023 film about the world-renowned Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, followed by a discussion with director Afdhel Aziz and co-director/editor Paul Vu, moderated by architect Ravi GuneWardena.

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Neutra Office Building,
2379 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Admission: $15. Students: $10. LA Forum Members: Free.

The venue is not ADA accessible. There is no parking at the rear of the building.

More information:

Please join the LA Forum for a pre-release private screening of the recent film about the renowned Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, directed by Afdhel Aziz with cinematography by Paul Vu. Following the screening, Los Angeles-based architect Ravi GuneWardena will present a short overview of the work of Bawa and end with a Q&A with the film makers Aziz and Vu.

Geoffrey Bawa (1919-2003) was Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architect of the 20^th century, known for his sensitively sited residential, institutional and hospitality sector work built between the 1950s and 2000. The widely published works include the architect’s own town and country homes, Number 11 & Lunuganga, institutional projects, including the Sri Lankan Parliament Building, and numerous resort projects, such as the celebrated Kandalama hotel, the world’s first LEED certified hotel, set at the edge of and ancient tropical forest.

Filmmaker Afdehl Aziz, noted as “one of the most inspiring voices in the global movement” is co-founder of the Conspiracy of Love a global purpose consultancy. With a background in brand purpose and marketing innovation, his first film is a poetic survey of contemporary architecture of his birthplace, Sri Lanka. Award-winning designer and photographer Paul Vu is director and founder of Here And Now Agency, a visual content agency for creatives. With a background in architecture (M.Arch, Cal Poly Pomona) he contributed to the visual language of the film in many ways. Ravi GuneWardena, FAIA, founding partner of Escher GuneWardena Architecture, was born in Sri Lanka and has led a survey tour of the work of Geoffrey Bawa and the ancient architecture which inspired the master.

The screening and discussion are co-sponsored by The Neutra Institute of Survival Through Design and Escher GuneWardena Architecture.

6:00 – Arrival and Reception

6:30 – Screening 1 hour 14 minutes

7:45 – Discussion

Parking (on street) is limited. Rideshare and carpooling is encouraged.

Please note: by attending this event, you agree to the liability waiver and release below. Liability Waiver and Release: * I hereby declare that I accept and understand the following conditional requirements of my participation in this LA Forum event. I declare that I fully intend to be bound by the condition stated herein. I further declare that I have read and fully understand all of the conditions outlined below. In consideration of acceptance of my participation in the event, I, for myself, my heirs and assigns, hereby release the sponsors, program participants, coordinators, and officials of this event from any and all liability arising from illness and/or damages I may suffer as a result of participation in such an event. I attest that I will wear any protective gear required by the event organizers. I agree that if I violate this agreement and attempt to bring suit against any part of parties named herein, that I will be held responsible for attorney’s fees and any costs incurred by that person in defending such action. I further understand that this waiver applies to all or any events in which I may participate from the time I convene with the event forward and that this waiver and release of rights contains no expiration date.

Film Screening: The Genius of the Place: The Life and Work of Geoffrey Bawa

By The Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design

Film Screening: The Genius of the Place: The Life and Work of Geoffrey Bawa