Vale Bernard Gomez: Loyal Friend, Quiet Genius and Architect Extraordinaire – By Lawrence Machado
20/05/1961 – 17/09/2026
It was with a deep sense of disbelief that we heard that our much-loved and respected classmate, Bernard Gomez, was no more. He was one of the fittest guys in our group, which is why his sudden death on Thursday, September 17, has left all of us in deep shock.
Bernard had attended an architectural conference in India last week, and visited a tiger sanctuary in Ranthambore, Rajasthan, before travelling to Goa to meet a friend. It was in Goa that Bernard had apparently suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
Active Life
A martial arts expert, Bernard lived an active life, rode his horses regularly, and one of his biggest achievements was climbing to the base of Mt. Everest a few years ago.
One of his last messages to our Class Group last Thursday was: “Great trip to ARCASIA. Finishing off with a safari at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.”
Bernard posted pictures from the conference and also the video in the tiger sanctuary, which produced the usual witty chit-chat among the classmates. Bernard responded to all, before saying he would post more images when he returns to Sri Lanka.
Bernard Gomez, third left, at the 2026 architects conference in India.
Bernard, 65, is the beloved son of the late Rosary and Lourdes Gomez. He is survived by his wife, Clair, younger brother Ajith, sister-in-law Sushila Gomez, and their families.
He was a quiet, studious guy in school and enjoyed nature from a young age. Despite a very busy schedule, he stayed close to his classmates and joined us whenever there was a reunion with an overseas friend. The most recent was when another classmate, Romello, visited Sri Lanka in August, and Bernard joined in the celebrations.
Bernard Gomez, at the head of the table, at the recent class get-together.
Award-winning Architect
An award-winning architect both in Sri Lanka and overseas, Bernard reached the heights of his industry, creating some of the most amazing buildings and structures in Sri Lanka and Asia, which will be his legacy for decades to come.
More than that, he loved the mix of nature by joyfully incorporating it with his buildings, either for his clients, his own home and getaway places.
The stunning Dialog Axiata building in Colombo was designed by Bernard Gomez.
In one of his many interviews, Bernard said: “Good architecture addresses a functional need, delights the senses and ultimately elevates the human spirit.
“Architecture to me has to be experiential, combining a series of experiences into a program. A program, which interprets the building’s function. I am a firm believer in the civilising influence of architecture.
“Good architecture is sensuous, heightens the five senses, and manipulates human experiences by tugging at the human psyche, whilst choreographing and facilitating encounters: Encounters with nature,
Encounters with loved ones,
Encounters with others of the species,
Ultimately creating a civilising influence on human behavior, and society as a whole.”
Bernard Gomez enjoyed riding his horses at his property.
Created Eco Masterpieces
Bernard lived this philosophy to the max, creating a fully eco-style home on a large property outside Colombo where he relaxed and entertained those close to him.
Bernard, who just missed out on studying engineering, decided to follow architecture on his parents’ advice at the University of Moratuwa. He admitted he actually began loving the subject only in his second year and then became fully passionate when completing his Masters.
After working with some of Sri Lanka’s famous architects, Bernard Gomez founded his own practice two decades ago: BGJF Consultancy Services.
The company received several international commissions in India and several Asian countries.
As schoolmates, we were all proud of him and others who have excelled in their field while staying grounded.
Bernard Gomez loved creating homes where he made the most of the natural surroundings.
Beautiful Tribute
One of our classmates, Chris Matryn, posted this beautiful tribute to him when Bernard was attending the ARCASIA conference in India:
“On behalf of all your classmates and our Alma Mater, St. Peter’s College, heartiest congratulations on reaching the top in the field of architecture in Sri Lanka and representing us at the prestigious ARCASIA Conference in India!
“It is such a proud moment for all of us. I still remember you as that very quiet, innocent lad in class. Who would have thought that lad — who got drilled with us in applied maths, geometry & algebra by the legendary Mr Archibald Perera, physics by Mr Ariyaratne, Chemistry by Mr Jayasinghe, Mr Jeganathan and Ms. Kanthi — would one day be rubbing shoulders with top architects of Asia?
All that homework and scoldings have truly paid off, even if we didn’t appreciate it back then!
“You wanted to be an engineer when you went to the university, and look at you now — doing brilliantly as an architect. Fate knows best. Your success is a tribute to you, but also to our Alma Mater and all those masters who shaped us into who we are today. We are all so proud of you, Bernard. You have made Peterites proud.”
It’s always best to praise and thank someone when they are alive, when they can see or hear it. Which makes Chris’ heartfelt comments so much more heartfelt and also emotional because it would have been among the last comments from the class group that he read before he left our world. Thank you, Chris, for putting it out there so well, as you usually do.
While we all mourn his loss, we are grateful for a life well lived. Bernard touched many lives in a positive way, and his work can be admired for years to come.
May dear Bernard rest safely in the arms of Jesus, our Saviour.
Funeral arrangements were not confirmed at the time of writing.
Bernard Gomez: A Brief Bio: F.I.A.(SL), RIBA, qualified with a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, in 1993. He worked with Arch. Valentine Gunasekara, and Arch. Minette DeSilva, two great architectural personalities of the era. He concluded his apprenticeship working as Project Architect, with Arch Milroy Perera, in conjunction with Arch. Geoffrey Bawa, on the iconic Kandalama Hotel, in Dambulla.
Since then he has authored several prestigious projects, including the Customs Training Academy, Staff Housing for AASL, Adithiya Hotel, and latterly The Mercedes Benz Center for Excellence at Thotalanga, and Dialog Axiata Headquarters at Union Place. He is at present working both locally and internationally on several important projects in the Leisure, Housing, and the Commercial Sectors.
His work has been featured in many important international publications like the Phaidon World Atlas of Architecture and is the recipient of many National and International Awards.
He has also presented at several local and International Fora, including the CAA, ARCASIA, and SAARCH Architects Forum.
He has been a Council Member, of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects for the past eight years, and served as Vice President of the SriLanka Institute of Architects.
He served as a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture and the Colombo School of Architecture.
