ARCHWATCH

Architect 2011 - a resounding success

Archt Jayantha Domingo - AIIA, M.Arch.(Helsinki), B.Arch.(Baroda) FIA (SL)

The Annual architect Exhibition comprises of the Members’ work section and the trade stalls featuring the products of the Construction Industry. It is a prime event of the Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architect (SLIA), gaining in popularity over the years, since its inception in the year 1982.

This year, the exhibition was held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition and Convention Centre of the BMICH, from February 24 to 27, 2011, and was open to the general public from 10 am to 10 pm each day.

The several thousands people who visited the exhibition each day included a number of schoolchildren, future homebuilders, who want to select an architect to design their dream homes and to decide on the selection of modern and innovative building materials, products, fittings and fixtures etc. to be used in constructing the same.

There were 260 stalls altogether and the products displayed include a range of items used in the construction of structural envelopes of buildings to the external and internal claddings and finishes, sanitary fittings, doors and windows, flooring and tiling, electrical fittings, furniture and landscaping materials and products. Further there was a range of environment friendly energy saving products, like the solar panels, turbine roof ventilators and ceiling lamps using sun light.

The prestigious SLIA awards give due recognition to Architects’ creativity through the design, colour and the young architect of the year awards and also gives a boost to the local entrepreneurs through the product awards which recognise the best locally manufactured building materials and the best stall displays. The awards are made in the categories of excellence and merit by the SLIA. The ceremonial presentation of awards this year was made by the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who was the Chief Guest at the Inauguration ceremony held on February 23 2011.

SLIA Information Centre - a counter opened for general public at the exhibition

Interest of the young crowd

The Minister, in his address of the SLIA Annual Sessions Inauguration, attended by nearly 1000 people, comprising of the membership of SLIA, the invitees, public sector officials and the students of Architecture, assured the support and blessings of the Government towards uplifting the architectural profession and architectural education in Sri Lanka. In reply to a question raised by the President SLIA, he further stated that the interventions to the built-environment in the country should be made by the professionally qualified architects and he would always take that stand.

The Inauguration was also graced by the Deputy High Commissioner of India, Shri Vikram Misry, the President of RIBA, Archt. Ruth Reed and Archt. Raj Rewal of India.

A key event at the Inauguration was the launch of the publication titled “Identity: Sri Lanka Architect” published by the SLIA Board of Architectural Publications. It is a celebration of Architects’ work through the first 50 years of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects.

The book consists of 533 pages and includes works of 104 architects and 19 Practices comprising of more than 500 full colour pages. The first copy of the publication was ceremonially handed over to the Minister Basil Rajapaksa by the President of the SLIA for the Session 2009-2011, Archt. Chandana Edirisuriya.

The Architectural Publications board of the SLIA continues to publish “The Sri Lanka Architect”, “The Vastu”, in English and Sinhala every three months. These publications are available for sale at Rs 200.00 and Rs 100.00 respectively at leading book shops and super markets which are extremely popular among the public.

These are also available for reference at the public libraries and the university libraries. As announced through the Archwatch the theme of the Annual National Conference on Architecture which was held at the BMICH on February 24, 2011, earlier was “Architecture for All-City + Community”. In keeping with the theme “The Architect” journal January-March 2011 featured several articles on the topic and the editorial focused on building for the communities.

The Annual Sessions of the SLIA this year too, was a resounding success, considering the unprecedented large number of attendance by the membership in all the events, the gracing of the occasion by the Minister of Economic Development who stayed until the completion of the function, the attendance by the President RIBA and the eminent speakers at the conference- both local and international and the students of Architecture, the visiting of the Members and Trade Stalls Exhibition by a large number of people and the generous sponsorships made for the holding of the events by the reputed companies in the building industry.

Enjoying architecture

Archt Shanta Gunaratna - M.Sc.(Arch.) FIA (SL)

‘Identity: Sri Lanka Architect’ is the publication compiled by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects to celebrate its Golden Anniversary. It showcases the work of Sri Lankan architects. It is the first time that the Institute has attempted to document such work in book form. Architecture, its internal spatial planning and interior designs and articulated external manifestation as conceptualized and executed by architects, excites much public interest.

Experiencing architecture happens consciously or sub-consciously, as people move within and through built spaces in their daily activities such as in homes, schools, workplaces, religious centres, factories, hotels, healthcare facilities, transport centers.

Well designed architectural spaces can influence the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of people. The Sri Lankan Architect appears to hold his own with his counterparts abroad, as amply illustrated in this book.

After a long and arduous period of study the architect emerges to serve the community, exploring our rich craft traditions, adapting and using new materials and technologies, responding to climate and context, and yet being contemporary.

Our Architects today are very conscious of the need to reduce carbon emissions and the foot print of buildings, to conserve energy. They appear to tread sensitively between the popular contemporary aesthetics of the west and the demands of our tropical Asian cultural context, responding only selectively to global trends and styles. Through their work, the skyline of Colombo can be seen to be changing. The Sri Lankan architects’ journey through the fifty or more post-independence years is featured in the 520 pages of this well- illustrated book. It is not meant to be a comprehensive historical survey.

The first section titled ‘A Tribute’ is an appreciation of work of those of our architects who are no longer with us.

It features their pioneering efforts. However, some important early work has unfortunately become obliterated. Therefore this section has had to be compiled only with readily available material and information. Still, a decisive path deviating from colonial architectural practices is clearly evident.

The latter section of the book entitled ‘A Celebration’ showcases the work of contemporary architects who responded to the Institute’s invitation to the entire membership to submit examples of their work.

Many categories and typologies of buildings are featured within the pages of this book. This well-illustrated publication is for the understanding and enjoyment of our emerging architecture - it is a celebration of our continuing search for an architectural identity.

Compiled by SLIA

Guide to house builders

The second edition of the SLIA publication “Before You Build” was made available for purchase in Feb 2011, at the annual Exhibition at the BMICH.

In Consultation with Archt VNC Gunasekara, who compiled the original text, the PAB, made certain amendments and additions to make this publication up to date.

This publication is useful for house builders as well as for the general public.

The price per copy is Rs 150.

Beyond gardens..

Landscape architects are not just glorified gardeners anymore. Today, landscape architects play an increasingly important role in the architecture and construction industry. This is part of an overall trend within the architectural field to have aesthetically designed exteriors. Major companies have also realized the importance of been seen as being green when building their offices and factories.

Energy-efficient building is gaining in popularity in which both traditional architects and landscape architects get to work together.

Their focus is on maximizing natural resources such as sunlight and wind to decrease energy use in the building.

Landscape architects are also turning their attention towards urban renewal projects. A great example of this is the High Line in New York City.

It’s 1.45 mile long elevated urban park which turned an abandoned elevated freight rail line into a urban park three stories above ground. With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), state and local governments have begun receiving funds for economic stimulus projects. A lot of these projects are related to infrastructure upgrades and development.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) estimates that landscape architects are going to be needed in considerable numbers for these projects. Another emerging area for landscape architects is redesigning transportation systems in urban areas. Communities now need multi-purpose transportation corridors that can be used by motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, including people with disabilities.

Creating livable communities is another area where landscape architects are working on improving access to recreational facilities, bicycle paths and walking trails.

Landscape architects today can choose to specialize in any one of the several areas mentioned above. Around 20 percent of them are self-employed.

The average salary for landscape architects is $71,000. There are 68 colleges throughout the country were there are accredited undergraduate programs available in landscape architecture. There are two types of undergraduate degrees in this field - Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA).

These degrees require 4 to 5 years of coursework. Those who do not have a BLA or BSLA can enroll in the masters program called Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA).

This program takes around 3 years to complete. Students in any of the programs have to complete lots of projects and hands on training.

They are also required to become proficient in computer-aided design, model building, and GIS.

Other subjects include plant and soil science and geology.

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