Architect 2012:

Reaping the dividends of peace with brighter prospects

By Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

Against the backdrop of peace and political stability, Sri Lankan architects gather for their annual session of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA), Architect 2012 with renewed hopes for sustainable industry with brighter prospects for a sustainable growth in the industry. The aspirations of the professionals are reflected in the theme for this year's session 'Regenerating Sri Lanka: The Architect and the Built Environment'. The session will give insights into the vital role that professional architects play as builders of the nation embarked on path of a rapid development aimed at achieving the economic hub of Asia.

The 30th Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA), Architect 2012, will he held from February 22-26.

It has been aptly themed "Regenerating Sri Lanka: The Architect and the Built Environment". This year's Sessions are expected to explore the significance of architecture, as a profession and industry, towards the regeneration, rejuvenation and development of Sri Lanka, a recovery following a bloody three-decade long terrorism.

Opportunity

The National Conference and the Members' Work and Trade Exhibition will present the general public with the opportunity to educate themselves about the profession of

architecture as well as the new developments in the industry and find out how to begin a career in architecture and also appreciate the work of architects not only in Sri Lanka but also in other parts of the globe.

The Annual Sessions

The Inauguration Ceremony of the Annual Sessions will be held on February 22 at the Bandaranaike International Memorial Hall. While ceremoniously opening Architect 2012, the inauguration event will also recognise the best products in the construction industry as well as the best architectural designs.

"We have award schemes for architectural design and colour, and also the product awards. The product awards are for local manufacturers, and aim to promote the local industry. This year we have received 20 applications, however, after a strict evaluation process, only two products have been recognized for awards," said Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai, President of SLIA.

"We have also had a large number of applications for architectural design," he continued, "but here too, the jury has been absolutely strict. Perhaps about four or five awards will be given to architects. The purpose of this award is to encourage the younger generation to come up with better, more innovative designs so that at the end of the day the general public will experience the benefit of a thriving architectural profession."

An award for the best display panel will also be presented at the Inauguration Ceremony.

Members' creations

One of the significant event coincides with the inauguration is the displaying of creations by members and the trade exhibition.

More than 100 architects are expected to display their work at the Members' Trade and Work Exhibition.

There will also be around 260 stalls at the Exhibition. The two schools of architecture, the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture, will also have separate spaces for students of architecture to display their work. The exhibition will be open to the public from the February 23 to the February 26 from 10am to 10pm. The creation of the members will be on display at the exhibition. The exhibition will also feature publications of the SLIA including Identity: The Sri Lanka Architect is a comprehensive collection of the work of Sri Lankan architects. An important segment of the exhibition is a career guidance section for students interested in taking up architecture as a profession.

National Conference

The National Conference of Architect 2012 will be held on February 23 at 8.45am. The conference will feature several eminent speakers from within the industry as well as other professionals, from Sri Lanka and abroad.

The full-day conference will consist of three sessions that will discuss and explore the theme of the Annual Sessions, "Regenerating Sri Lanka: the Architect and the Built Environment".

Archt. Rohana Bandara Herath, Conference Chairman and Secretary to the Professional Affairs Board of the SLIA said, "We decided to focus on a topic of national importance at the conference, which is regenerating our country as architects.

After the thirty-year long war we have the opportunity to rethink how we are going to rebuild and give consideration to social, cultural and educational aspects.

Views

As architects we are the creators of the built environment. Throughout the National Conference we hope to give our views on how we should focus on rebuilding the country.

"The National Conference has been divided into three sessions under the main theme. The first session is themed "Invigorating Public Spaces and the Cities". Prof. Jan Gehl from Denmark will share his worldwide experiences on this subject area.

Eng. Janaka Kurukulasuriya, Archt. Dr. Janaka Wijesundara and Archt. Madhura Prematilleke will be the other speakers for the session. The speakers have a background in matters related to urban design.

"The second theme will be "Recreating Residential Environments". Here we will focus on the housing problem, which has become a huge issue. Prof. Frans van der Werf of the Netherlands will deliver the keynote speech. He is an expert in the field of housing. Archt. L. S. R. Perera and Archt. Thisara Thanapathy will share the local experience. The session will discuss how architects should approach and solve this critical housing issue.

"The final session will be "Revival of Socio-Cultural Heritage". An expert in this field Prof. Nalini Thakur from India will address the conference. Renowned economist, Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike, will speak on social justice and Vidyajyothi Archt. Ashley de Vos will highlight the conservation of cultural heritage."

The students of the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture will also focus on the theme of "Revival of Socio-Cultural Heritage".

Sri Lankan Architects

Although there is a perception that most of Sri Lankan architects are concentrated in and around Colombo, Archt. Russell Dandeniya, Assistant Treasurer of SLIA, pointed out that throughout the thirty year long conflict, architects have been traveling all over the country, even to the North and East, to work on various projects.

"It is not enough for architects to undertake work only in Colombo," he said. "They are willing and have already undertaken work in all regions of Sri Lanka."

Archt. Chandana Edirisuriya, Immediate Past President of the SLIA said, "Even at the height of the war architects have been traveling to regions in the North and East.

"The advantage in this profession is that it is not essential to be based at the site of work. It is adequate to be able to travel there whenever the need arises. The road network is being developed rapidly at the moment. This will further facilitate architects to work in all regions of Sri Lanka."

One of the significant aspects of the SLIA is the professional Sri Lankan body of architects has been maintaining close ties with the international architectural bodies. SLIA has established professional links with four international organisations of architects; the International Union of Architects, the Commonwealth Association of Architects, Archasia and SAARCH.