Accolade For Innovative Architecture

Archt Damith Premathilake was the recipient of the prestigious award for his project Maduru Oya Holiday Cabana – an innovative project where the architect created a retreat of tranquillity to the traveller seeking solace in nature for his client the Sri Lanka Army. Archt Premathilake’s clever use of abandoned container boxes, old railway sleepers, timber strips from weapon boxes and the employment of the labour of soldiers, contributed heavily to the efficient re-use of resources available on site. The following extracts from the citation show the impact the project created in the minds of the jurors. “The significance of the project lies in its sensitivity to its natural landscape. Earlier the site was a scene of war and fear, but the materials left behind have been utilised to create a piece of architecture, which allows one to forget the past and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of nature.”

“It is important architecturally for it represents the future of Sri Lankan architecture socially, culturally, economically and technically.”

Maduru Oya Holiday cabana was featured in Vol 112 no 1 of
The Architect (thearchitect.lk).