Exhibition of Members Work and Trade - Architect 2013:

Musings of creative geniuses

Ishara JAYAWARDANE

Architecture is one of the oldest professions in this world. It is a craft born out of man's creative genius; out of his superior intelligence which separates him from other life on this planet.

SLIA President Archt Ranjan Nadesapillai

Students’ Interactive Programmes

Through his creative genius, his insatiable desire to learn, he holds in his mind his knowledge of science and mathematics. This knowledge has sufficed for him to erect incredible structures of beauty and magnificence upon the face of this earth.

Amazing structures, some which still stand today regardless of the ravages of time and man himself. He has in his possession the power of the gods- Architecture.

The Seven Wonders of The Ancient World are testimony to this awesome power of mans intelligence; his creative genius. The Great Pyramid of Giza, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, The Colossus of Rhodes and the Light House of Alexandria. And when man's knowledge increases when his technology advances what then of Architecture? Will we see structures on the moon? However all this is in the future.

But right now in Sri Lanka the focus should be on the Exhibition of Members Work and Trade - Architect 2013 that will kick off at the BMICH from February 21 to 24. This year 2013 is a special year in the Architects calendar. It marks the end of the current SLIA President, Ranjan Nadesapillai's term as President and the beginning of Senior Vice president Chitra Weddikara's term as President on February 23.

Also the National Conference on Architecture: Architect 2013 will take place on February 21 with the Inauguration taking place on February 20.

"The exhibition will have over 200 stalls. It is the most elaborate exhibition for anyone who wants to get information about the products in the construction industry or the materials. This year we have over 300 practices who are registered for Architectural consultancies. Out of that more than 100 will be displaying their work.

The university of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture will be having two sections where there will be information to the public on the courses of Architectural education. SLIA will be conducting a career guidance area where both education and practice information will be available," said SLIA President Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai.

SLIA Annual Awards to recognize members’ works - Archtct. Michele Fonseka, Interior of lobby, Aitken Spence Tower 11 colombo 2 - merit

The National Conference on Architecture will consist of three sessions, each with its own theme :

* Session 1 : Theme - Innovative Enterprise Architecture "Top of the Pyramid"

* Session 2 : Theme - Innovative Enterprise Architecture "Bottom of the Pyramid"

* Session 3 : Theme - Innovative Enterprise Architecture "Middle of the Pyramid"

"The theme for the annual sessions is : 'Think Smart, Innovative Enterprise Architecture. Our objective this year is to take our members and those responsible with the government towards an end where the architect is recognized as a person who could visualize, who could generate and create projects for the financial benefit and social benefit of everybody. So the entire country can benefit from our education," he said.

There are only two institutions which can carry out recognized formal architectural education in Sri Lanka. Only the students who come out of those institutions are eligible to apply for membership in the Institute of Architects.

"There are certain people advertising various courses. Recently I saw somebody advertising: architectural design in three months. You cannot do architectural education in three months. The formal education is a minimum of five years (three years for the first degree and two years for the second degree) with the experience it takes seven years. There is no shortcut for architecture. Nobody can do a three month or six month diploma and become an architect. That is universally not accepted anywhere. There are people misleading children and parents," Nadespillai stressed.

SLIA Immediate Past President Archt Chandana Edirisuriya	Chairman of the National Conference Architect Upendra Randeniya	SLIA Assistant Treasurer Archt. Russell Dandeniya