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Compiled by Edward Arambewala

Architect Hiranthi Pathirana on

Why - Art of Architecture?

Art is understood by the humans alone. Art is believed to have brought elegance and grace in to otherwise harsh and drab human existence. It has given him far more satisfaction than fulfilling the basic human needs. In fact it had created the advancement of man and made him rise to the great civilisations.

Throughout the existence of man, man had been seeking for the ways of art and incorporating art into life. Therefore art stands for the true humanity placing man far above the other creatures on earth. The ability to contemplate had made him advance in spiritually while discovering the great work of art.

This way, art had made him search within himself and to be sensitive to things that are around him. It is interesting to note the identity through art that had brought into the human perceptions of life and the environment which they live in. In fact the works of art reflects the greatness of a culture. Arts of the ancient past had given recognition to the various cultures of the world that it is the measurement of the advancement of the civilisation.

Apart from the embellishment and decoration that brought him pleasure, significant progresses made through art is the order that had brought to life of the people. The order of life in which the art of architecture had played in the human life stands far above the rest, as the most influential art work that patterned the human life.

The perceptions of life and human values can be depicted in the way in which the environment is arranged through architecture. The word architecture does not relate to mere building. It in fact can be considered as the art of building that depicts the art of living of the people.

Art of architecture is identified as the intricately formed environment for living that gives order, value to human existence and reflected as a beautifully woven fabric in the environment of intense validity. It is believed that the art of building had brought order and intensified the dynamism of man.

Art of architecture should evolve from the sources of culture and nature of the environment that makes it a part of the life of the people.

Therefore the art of architecture is the understanding of the true needs of the society, the design of best possible spaces that would be closer to the heart of the people. It can never be considered as an art, if it is to be superimposed from a far away place that was designed for different culture and environment that carry different origins.

In Sri Lanka we are fortunate to have more than 2000 years of history of culture in which reflects the value of art of architecture.

The enormous stupa structures of brick can be considered as the magnificent examples of true artistic thoughts that were originated and materialised in local architecture up to the present day. Similarly many examples can be drawn from the ancient history of Sri Lanka that depicts the artistry of the architecture.

It reflects the lifestyles of the ancient people, the order of living with nature, the appreciation of art, creativity and the technology. One of the important factors that can be identified in the Sri Lankan art of architecture is that the artistry of architecture that was enhanced with the advancement of technology and the materials used, one such example is the ornamentation of the granite columns done with human skill to such high standards quality of art and design.

This way one can map out the development so the art of architecture and the influences that occurred during the history of Sri Lankan architecture.

Therefore today it is still our responsibility to create and enhance the art of architecture and exercise the best possible skills that generate through the studies of our environment and culture of our people.

These generating forces that lead to the understanding of the nature and culture still exist today even in our city lifestyles. Our people need to have close relationships with the neighbours, they need to feel the serenity of religious space at home, they need to feel the air, earth and sun that is part of their life, and so many other activities which bring naturalness of living in Sri Lanka. Therefore the art of architecture has to generate from us, with creativity that nurtures the life and environment of which we live in.

Therefore the imagination and interest in experimenting the art of architecture has to be pushed forward as a part of the scientific and philosophical developments of the present time. It is important to preserve the architect's independence on the duty that he owes to the society and especially to the environment that he is helping to shape.

The writer is a member of the Archwatch (Daily News SLIA Housing Advisory Panel)

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If Sri Lanka is to have any future...

Excerpts from article by Vidya Jyothi Architect Ashley de Vos on 'What If' (SLIA Journal Architect Vol. 105 No. 2)

If Sri Lanka is to have any future, it needs a concerted mature approach to understand and formulate a sustainable balance not only between Development and Environment, but also between Physical Development and culture.

Not merely aping culture and living in the past, but developing a positive and strong understanding of the pursuit for a contemporary, identifiable lifestyle and architecture, one which is compatible with modern societal needs from where entry into the 21st century will be a natural evolution from the past.

If it is to succeed, the transition needs a systematic and coordinated programme, which will encompass a total vision for the future of Sri Lanka. A vision that will bring about and reinforce a traditional quality of life, where Man and the Environment live in symbiotic relationship through the promotion of health, education and appropriate Urban and Rural Development in Sri Lanka. A lifestyle that Sri Lankans of the future could be proud of, which continues to uphold the glorious principles of the past while progressing into the 21st century, walking tall.

Though many of us think in an alien framework and mind, we are primarily Asian. It is this Asian-ness that has sustained human life form on this island for thousands of years.

Over the years this life form learnt to respect nature, the environment and the belief systems, the sun, the moon and the monsoons. The climatic changes were studied, and life and architecture were adapted to suit it. Therefore what is understood, as culture is admixture of all of these ideas made sustainable. Even during the colonial occupation of this country, the religious leaders of that period took it upon themselves to ensure that the cultural matrix was natured, protected and preserved for posterity.

Something happened

The number of players and their individual aspirations increased, bringing about conflicts. The whole system was politicized for very narrow gains. It is not that there was no politics in the ancient past, there was, there have been instances where kings became destructive, but religion was a part of life, deep rooted and able to resist fragmentation, it was strong and old enough to hold the cultural matrix in place. It was able to repair the cracks and bring it back in line. We have to hope that this is still possible.

Let us face it even though we work on computers and talk in foreign tongues, we are totally rural in our outlook. No sooner we get home we change into a sarong, put our feet up and relax imagining that the concrete wall opposite is a paddy field.

This is the rural ness in us. We Sri Lankans have never been urban animals and I personally hope we never will be if we need to be, let us hope it will be a truly Asian urbanism that will prevail. It is this Asian quality of life, the close relationship of life with nature, the relationship of the internal to the external, the natural flow of space from one to another, together with a careful study and respect for climate that our physical development must help preserve and protect.

All our Development efforts should focus on the maintenance and enhancing of this quality, by the creation of appropriate spaces for living, learning, working recreation and even for dying. The concept of a quality Asian space is quite exciting.

An Asian landscape

We should seek what is best and strive toward the creation of the Ultimate Asian Landscape. Not a European clone, but one that suits us as human beings, one we can naturally fit into. An environment that responds to the requirements of climate, space, spirituality and life. A meditative Built Environment without tension reflecting the traditional value systems, extending into a cool and shaded, friendly city.

A city where our future generations will be happy to live. Our living spaces and environments should not reduce us to nervous wrecks but instead, they should act as batteries that will recharge us for the next day.

In the West the concept of development brought about by the harsh climate has always been man against nature. Man's conquest of nature, whilst the Asian psyche. especially in the tropics, has always relied on a blend and a healthy respect for Natural Laws. We should re-examine this concept. We should all strive to get back to our roots and retrace our paths, where did we come from and where are we going?

Are we to be West moulded

The question that may be asked is, are we all to be moulded as in the West? Can entities based on analytical thinking alone be happy in our societies? The West needs Asia to remain subservient to provide cheap labour, the producers of goods for the West, Mostly subsidised to enable the West to maintain the ever increasing standard of life.

Recent studies in Holland have shown that they would have to drop or reduce their living standards by as much as 80% if they were to equate it to that of the Developing World. While the Developed World gets richer, we get poorer and in the future this will be exacerbated. The choice is in our grasp. It is ours to take.

Discourage filling up of low-lying lands

The present filling of wetlands or low-lying lands should be discouraged, as it is better to increase the efficiency and the density in the urban areas than destroy these productive lands. We should always bear in mind that land is in short supply and is not a renewable resource. The plans and guidelines for infrastructure support, settlement planning and transportation requirements in the urban development plan should take into account the current and future needs of the different areas.

The location of all future Industrial Zones and Industrial Townships should be incorporated into the National Urban Development Plan and this only after proper and complete investigations and environment studies have been concluded. A phasing off and relocation of all existing factories into the proposed industrial zones should be a pre-requisite of the Development Plan. The zones could then be controlled for all services, other infrastructure development, pollution controls, etc.

Future not in industry

However, we should not forget the future of Sri Lanka is not in industry alone, if you produce, you must have an assured market. Our domestic market is small and insignificant, while international markets can be controlled and closed at will. Therefore, our future lies in the systematic development of the rural sector.

A country should be able to feed its population. This should be a prime consideration. Fertilizer and insecticide less production methods must be evolved.

Technologies must be evolved whereby natural means control the pests and productivity is enhanced with natural fertilizers instead of resorting to harmful chemicals. Traditional cultural knowledge had the answers and today we with our western education think we know more.

Visual pollution

The unplanned nature of development is displayed in the ribbons of speculative building now made permanent along our roads. Not only does it add to the visual pollution, but residential and other commercial activity abutting the roads make it dangerous to both the user of the road and the building.

What if all development along the roads, including the bus stations, service facilities and transport nodes were removed and created off the main roads, thus permitting the traffic arteries to function smoothly and reduce congestion on the roadsides.

There will be a reduction in fuel consumption, less wear and tear on the roads and on vehicles bringing about a reduction in foreign exchange and the traffic would move faster making driving on the roads less tense.

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