Rizzoli Publishes Definitive Monograph on Design Visionary Udayshanth Fernando.
By: Rishini Weeraratne
Paradise Road Group of Companies has announced the global release of ‘Udayshanth Fernando: Living Design,’ the first definitive monograph on celebrated Sri Lankan designer and entrepreneur Udayshanth Fernando, published by Rizzoli International Publications. The visually rich volume chronicles Udayshanth Fernando’s extraordinary career and creative philosophy, offering an in-depth exploration of the multidisciplinary world behind the iconic Paradise Road brand. Spanning interior design, hospitality, product design, and fine art curation, the monograph captures Udayshanth’s distinctive ability to merge Sri Lankan heritage with a refined global modernism.
Titled, ‘Udayshanth Fernando: Living Design,’ the publication presents an intimate portrait of Udayshanth’s renaissance approach to creativity. Through the work of acclaimed photographers Sebastian Posingis and Dominic Sansoni, readers are taken through some of Udayshanth’s most iconic spaces, including Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo, the heritage residence transformed into a celebrated boutique hotel, and Paradise Road The Gallery Café, the former offices of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa reimagined as one of Colombo’s most distinctive dining destinations. The book also offers a rare glimpse into Udayshanth’s personal collection of works by the legendary '43 Group, featuring paintings by artists such as George Keyt and Ivan Peries. It highlights Udayshanth’s celebrated use of materiality, from hand pressed cement to reclaimed timber, demonstrating how his careful curation of art, objects, and spaces has created environments of enduring relevance that transcend fleeting trends.
The monograph is further enriched by essays from prominent international voices in art, architecture, and culture. Contributors include Sean Anderson, curator, scholar, and architect specialising in South Asian and African art and architecture; Sonal Singh, a leading specialist in modern and contemporary Indian art and Chairman of Christie’s India; and Bandana Tewari, culture journalist, sustainability advocate, and former Editor at Large and Fashion Features Director of Vogue India.
Speaking about the publication, Udayshanth stated, “Every picture tells a story, and this book holds within it a curated selection of my designs, beloved works from my collection, and spaces from my home. All of it is a representation of my aesthetic.”
The launch of ‘Udayshanth Fernando: Living Design,’ will be marked with a series of exclusive events across the region. The official launch will take place in Colombo on the 22nd of May 2026, where the publication will initially be available exclusively at Paradise Road. Regional launches are scheduled for Mumbai on the 13th of June 2026 and New Delhi on the 24th of July 2026.
Known widely as Shanth Fernando, the founder of Paradise Road has been a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s retail and hospitality sectors since 1987. Through the Paradise Road Galleries, he has also played a significant role in championing contemporary Sri Lankan art.
Rizzoli New York is internationally recognised for its publishing in fashion, interior design, culinary arts, photography, and visual culture, producing high quality illustrated volumes celebrated around the world.
