Stage set for Architect 2013

M F Jabir

Architect 2013, the annual sessions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, would be held from February 20 to 24, 2013 at BMICH.

Archt Prof Chitra Weddikkara addressing the press briefing in Colombo. Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa

Speaking at the press briefing held in Colombo on Tuesday, Archt Prof Chitra Weddikkara said one of the main features in this year's event was the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Annual Awards. SLIA fosters outstanding talent among the membership. In recognition of outstanding examples of work it fosters and understanding talent among members in recognition of outstanding work in the categories of Design, Colour, Architectural Research & Publication, Product Awards and Newspaper Supplement.The purpose of the Design Awards were to give recognition to outstanding examples of current Architecture and are made in the following categories.

Design, Buildings and Projects(Interior and Open (projects outside Sri Lanka).Awards are made in the categories of Excellence and Merit.Colour Awards recognizes outstanding examples of the use of colour in design and thereby achieve greater appreciation in the use of colour. Submissions for the awards will be open to individual buildings or a Group of buildings. Awards are made in the categories of Excellence and Merit. Architectural Research & Publication Award is meant to encourage its members to engage in research work as well as publications and recognize their contribution towards knowledge dissemination. In addition to the Research Award which was created to offer recognition and appreciation of members' contribution in the areas of architectural research, the Publication Award was created in 2008 to offer recognition and appreciation of members' contribution in the areas of architectural publication. Architectural Research Award annually offered to recognize outstanding research in the last five years. Publication Awards are annually offered to recognize outstanding contribution to publication in last 10 years.Product Awards recognizes the creativity of local manufacturers. The Newspaper Supplement Awards would reward creativity of the print media through the award made to the best designed newspapers in Sinhala, Tamil and English media, she said. The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) established by an Act of Parliament is the governing body of Architectural professionals. The ARCHITECT 2013 is the 31st consecutive Annual Session of the SLIA. It includes multifaceted events that would take place during a five day period at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The Architect 2013 will be carried forward under the distinctive theme of 'Think Smart - Innovative Enterprise Architecture'. The forthcoming sessions will commence with the Inauguration Ceremony on the February 20 followed by the opening of the Members' Work and Trade Exhibition on the same day, the Exhibition will continue from the 21 to the 24 from 10 am to 10 pm. The National Conference on Architecture where the topic of deliberation would be 'Think Smart - Innovative Enterprise Architecture' will be held on February 21. The conference would be addressed by eminent local as well as foreign professionals. The final events of the session are the Annual General Meeting followed by the Fellowship Nite which will take place on Februar 23 . "This year our theme is unique as the deliberations will be on the Architect's role as a Designer who can infuse a dynamic dimension into the struggle between development and social requirement. This would entail thinking beyond traditional realms" said Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai, President of the SLIA.

He also added that the theme this year is very pertinent to the current scenario in the country where accelerated development is taking place. Therefore "we would like to see the participation of those who are not directly involved in architecture at the National Conference."

The National Conference on Architecture will be addressed by three Keynote speakers who will deliberate at the three sessions. They are Archt. Kevin Owens from the United Kingdom who will speak about his role as the Design Principal with the London Organizing Committee of the London Olympics and the Paralympic games. Professor Jo Noero from South Africa will focus on his work in the once segregated townships of South Africa. Dr Bimal Patel from India will speak of his work with local governments and other agencies to understand and transform urban design and planning practice in India towards improving the quality of life in India cities. Other industry experts include Dr Rory Hyde and Dr Ranjith Dayaratne will stress on the public generated ventures. Archt. Milroy Perera, Archt. Suranjith de Silva and Archt. Mark Baughman will be adding their expert knowledge regarding public generated small scale ventures that concerns about public welfare. The conference will be attended by members of SLIA, students of Architecture and several distinguished invitees from other Professionals bodies and the Government sector.

The Members' Work and Trade Exhibition will be held for the 30th consecutive year. The exhibition has proved to be one of the foremost exhibitions in the country's building industry with over seventy thousand visiting it. The exhibition creates a platform for architects to showcase their work and a foundation for young architects to explore their designs. Students from the two seats of Architectural education in Sri Lanka, the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture Colombo will also participate at the National Conference and the Exhibition.

For potential students of Architecture this will provide a platform to gather relevant information about the two schools and the profession.

Architect 2013 will also see a new Council taking over for the 2013/2014 session during the AGM and Professor Chitra Weddikkara, the current Senior Vice President will take over reign at the first Lady President of SLIA.

Architect Ranjan Nadesapillai the current President will step down from the position after completing his session. The annual sessions will conclude on a professional camaraderie and entertainment at the Fellowship Nite.

The Architect 2013 is organized by the SLIA together with the support of their Strategic Sponsor Alumex (Pvt) Ltd, Associate Sponsor Niro Granite from Ranjans Ceramic Pvt Ltd and the main sponsor for the National Conference PhoenixFlowGuard. The Fellowship Nite is sponsored by Charter House and Lankem Robbialac.