Architecture: rethinking sustainability :

Celebrating contemporary marvels of Sri Lankan architects

by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

Immediate Past President of SLIA, Architect Jayantha Perera

With the annual session of SLIA under "Rethinking Sustainability", Sri Lankan architects revisit the proud architectural legacy from the ancient days of kings to legendary works of generations of post-independent architects in Sri Lanka who have changed the dynamics of tropical architecture. It is the continuous effects from the last year's them of "Doing more with less" to the sustainability aspects of the field, in the Sri Lankan professionals unending quest for excellence, recognising the ever increasing demand for energy efficiency and sustainability. With the CAA being held in Sri Lanka, the annual sessions will, truly, be an informative event. It is a much-sought after annual event for stakeholders in the construction industry, people and professionals.

The 28th Annual Session of the Institute of Sri Lankan Architects will be held at BMICH from February 15 to February 21, 2010. A significant aspect of this year's annual session is that the SLIA hosts, for the first time, congress of 19th General Assembly of the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) in Sri Lanka. The CAA is the association of Architects Institution in Commonwealth countries.

The Annual Session which will be held concurrently with the 19th Annual Sessions of the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) will be addressed by imminent international architects including Architect Gordon Chong from USA, Architect Ken Yeang from Malaysia and Architect GaÃ"tan Siew from Mauritius who was the immediate past President of Union of International Architects (UIA) which is the world body for architects.

The General Assembly of the CAA will hold once in every three years. The last general assembly was held in Melbourne in 2007 with the participation of 16 members. Against the backdrop of peaceful environment, for this year's congress, 15 countries have already registered. The CAA events will make up of three components; Students' Competition Jury, Council Meeting and General Assembly. The Council Meeting and General Assembly will be held at Cinnamon Grand while Students' Competition Jury will be held at SLIA. Sri Lankan Architect Rukshan Waidyalankara, who was elected Vice President for Asia, has been nominated him for the post of Senior Vice President. Present President of SLIA Chandima Edirisuriya has been nominated for the post of Vice President Asia region.

Design Students' competition

The 8th International Design Students' Competition will be held under the theme "A Memorial to a memorable event". This is an open event where student of architecture from anywhere can take part in this competition. The challenge is represent a shocking event through a building or an environmental representation. The creations will be judged on three areas namely on sustainability aspects, environment responsibility and climatic effects. The competition will take place concurrent to CAA events.

President, Archt. Chandana Edirisurisuriya presents a prize during the Fellowship Nite - Architect 2009

The principle events of the SLIA annual sessions are made up of inaugural session, the national conference, the exhibition, and the Annual General Meeting and Fellowship night.

The book titled 'Identity - Sri Lankan Architect; will also be launched on February 17th, 2010. The exhibition will be commenced on February 18 and remain open till February 21, 2010 at BMICH. Though the book is published to mark the SLIA Golden Jubilee, it codifies developments in the field of architecture over the last six years. The initial work of the book commenced in 2006 through three councils chaired by Architect Rukshan Waidyalankara, Architect Jayantha Perera and Architect Chandana Edirisuriya. The project was carried out by the Board of Architectural Publications under three chairmen Architect Nalaka Jayaweera, Architect Bernard Gomez and Russell Dandeniya. The book will be a joint venture project with BT Options. The Compiling committee and Editorial Committee will make up of Architects. The book is a Coffee Table publication. The book features creations of architect and their practices. The book provides an overview of design directions of professionals in SLIA and it will also cover post-independent Architecture.

The exhibition will make up of 350 stalls with the participation of about 210 companies in the construction industry. The exhibition would be a platform for the meeting of soul mates in the field of Architecture with principal stake holders in the construction industry. It will also be an opportunity to showcase talents on the part of the architects and their creations. Over the years, the exhibition has established as an event that Sri Lankans looking forward to.

The inauguration ceremony will be held on February 17 at Water's Edge. The National conference is held on February 18 and 19 at the Cinnamon Grand.

Among the highlights of the conference is recognition of the services rendered by senior professionals in the field of Architecture in Sri Lanka. Accordingly Architect Valentine Gunasekara, Architect Lalith De Silva and Professor Nimal De Silva will be honoured.