Architecture for all

Chathuri Randika

[ Local presenters]

*Dr Milinda Pathiraja
*Archt Pradeep Fernando
*Archt Janaka Dharmasena
*Archt Shamida Senaratna
*Archt Dr Senaka Dharmatilleke
*Archt M M G Samuel

The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) with the strategic sponsorship of Alumex Group together with Associate Sponsors True Value Products (Pvt) Ltd and Colourcon Roofing tiles (Pvt) Ltd have organized a series of events including a National conference on Architecture, an exhibition of architects work and trade stall will be the main two events. The Event sponsors will be Naveen Ceramics (Pvt) Ltd and Hafele. The Associate Event Sponsors will be Lankem Robbialac, Matro Steel and Aluminium Fabricators and Mercantile Fortune (Pvt) Ltd.

The Annual General Meeting to appoint a new Council and the Fellowship night of the Architects will be the final event. Many Architects from different parts of the country get together at this event.

The Exhibition titled ‘Architect 2011’ under the theme of Architecture for all city + community will be held at the BMICH New Main Hall and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Convention Centre from February 23 to 27 from 10 am to 10 pm.

The Inauguration ceremony will be held on February 23 at 4 pm with the participation of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa as Chief Guest. The guests of honour will be Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha and RIBA President Arct Ruth Reed.

The National conference will be held on February 24 from 8 am to 6 pm with the participation of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa as Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour will be Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

The keynote speaker will be Archt Raj Rewal from India. To enhance the conference papers will be presented by both local and International Architects. Student presentations from two Schools of Architecture, the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture, will bring out the talents of the future Architects and also be a source of information for the higher grade students seeking to make Architecture as a career.

A career guidance program in Architecture will be conducted by the SLIA to instruct how one could select the profession of Architecture as a career. Therefore this program will be useful for those who seek to follow the path of Architecture.

Invitations have also been sent to all government and private Schools so that students who are interested to explore their knowledge in architecture could visit. Admission for students will be free.

SLIA has ventured far and is now one of the foremost professional organizations in the island and in the continent of Asia. The Institution has been focusing on professional practices of Architecture as well as Architectural education. The Institute works towards improving the profession and have also played a lead role in contributing to the development of the field of Architecture and uplifting the standards of the construction industry in the country. Architects who have made immense contributions to the profession, the new members of the Institute and those who have won design awards will be felicitated at the inauguration. Awards will be presented to the best Trade Stalls and the Architects work displayed by an eminent panel of jurors drawn from the membership.

The ‘SLIA YEAR BOOK -2011’, the only publication that includes the directory of all active members and architectural practices, will be published on this special day. It will be readily available for the General Public and on sale at the information centre of the SLIA. The general public could purchase a series of SLIA publications including the recent issues of The Architect and Vastu.