Under the dome

Architecture of Town Hall:

By Sajitha PREMATUNGE

Mayor’s bench

One of the lamps on either side of the staircase

If you think you have to always go to the ends of the island to find something of architectural importance, think again. It may actually be something you pass by every day, something so apparently mundane and metropolitan that you would take it for granted. That’s right. Our Town Hall is almost 82 years old! The foundation stone was laid on May 24, 1924 by T. Reid Esq. C.C.S, Mayor of Colombo at the time and the work was completed in 1927.

“Its front columns are a perfect example of the British architecture it resembles” says Senior Architect Shasthri Dolaphilla. “It’s purely an alien form of architecture.” Its six front columns (in the main porch), six other on either side to the front and ten more columns on either side are 38 ft each. The building is 354 ft in length and 168 ft in breadth. And one of its interesting features is that the total height of the building equals its width. In fact the building is so high that one floor - after partition - actually accommodates more than one floor in the present day! “But in doing so we have managed to destroy most of the original architectural value of the building.”

He explained that the building was originally designed not for administrative purposes but for functions, the only administrative offices being the Mayor’s office and the council chamber.

“Most of it were meant to be ball rooms.” It epitomizes typical Roman architecture that the British so keenly copied into their own designs. Architect Dolaphilla explained that - the Dome - which has been built purely for ornamental purposes, also the building’s main and most prominent feature, is the best example.

Although many alterations have been made to the original design by British architect S.J Edwards, the building still possesses a few characteristics that have not been touched by modern renovations. For example the original council chamber and its furniture are still intact. Its original lamps and lamp bases are still a s they were almost 82 years ago and a door from behind the Mayor’s bench leads directly to the Mayor’s chambers. It has a natural ventilation system - with a lot of cross ventilation - plus an artificial ventilation system. The Committee Room, as well, still possesses its original furniture.

But above all the lobby is probably the best preserved. With the exception of the black and white cement tiles it remains unaltered to this day.

Moreover all the original doors and windows of the building have survived. The beautiful ornamental lamps on the staircase leading to the second floor from the lobby as well as the enormous lamp, just above the lobby - which is still in operation - are also originals.

The original extent of land, on which the Town Hall is built, has been 57 - 60 acres, inclusive of the area that accomodates by the Viharamahadevi Park, Public Library, Museum, War Memorial and Albert Crescent.

Entrance to the Mayor’s Chambers	The Committee Room	The ceiling lantern at the entrance

The original owners of the land - the De Zoysas - donated the land to the park on condition that the public should be allowed to use it free of charge.

“But it’s high time to charge the public something because maintenance is very costly.” According to architect Dolaphilla the maintenance of the Town Hall is no easy task either.

“The building is white and any fungal growth will be obvious.” He points out that painting the Dome itself can be very precarious.