The Architect‘ARCHITECTURE rethinking sustainability’

‘ARCHITECTURE rethinking sustainability’
April 2010

At the Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

The 28th Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) was ceremonially inaugurated at the Golf Club Banquet Hall, Waters Edge, Colombo on February 17, 2010. It is significant that concurrently with this event the SLIA hosted the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) 19th General Assembly and Conference 2010. Thus the event this year was made doubly significant as most countries of the Commonwealth were represented at the event making it a national event with an international stance. The atmosphere at the inauguration bespoke of the theme of sustainability and novelty in design with its artistically piled up bamboo base setting for the head table: a mood for the natural and beautiful. Former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, graced the event as the Chief Guest while the Minister of Housing and Common Amenities, Ferial Ashraff was the Guest of Honour.

Inaugural session of the Annual sessions of Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

Hon Prime Minister receiving a token of appreciation from President SLIA,

Archt Chandana Edirisuriya, President SLIA, in his welcome address stressed “the need to share the know-how of local and overseas professionals: the forward thinkers to simply innovate the sustainable habitat overcoming its challenges.” The highlight of the event was the keynote address by distinguished Architect Gordon Chong, winner of many awards and a creator of many architectural masterpieces who has also collaborated with architectural maestros like Renzo Piano and Daniel Libiskind. Architect Chong served as President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2002 and also served as President of AIA California and AIA San Francisco. His address that evening touched on building for ecological sustainability and the moral and social responsibility of the architect, portraying exemplary design work of his work with Renzo Piano in the California Academy of Sciences.

The National Conference on Architecture and the CAA conference was held at the Hotel Cinnamon Grand, Colombo on February 17 and 18, 2010. The conference was themed on “ARCHITECTURE rethinking sustainability”. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama was the Chief Guest. The two day conference consisted of intense discussions on the prevailing issues of sustainable development and the challenges that needed constant battle and balance. The presence of a diversified group of speakers from all over the world to exchange ideas and views on the current environmental threats and the architects’ responsibility made it an interesting and absorbing event.

Dr Ken Yeang delivering the keynote address

The keynote address was delivered by internationally renowned architect planner, ecologist, author and the recipient of many awards for his experimental and innovative green buildings Dr. Ken Yeang. In the keynote address he discussed systematically the many green strategies employed to achieve the same goal: more so as a mathematical solution than an artistic one which raised many arguments as to what actually constitutes green architecture.Among the many other interesting presentations made by architects and professionals, one that made a definite impact on all present was that of award winning Bengali Architect Rafiq Azam who spoke on the relationship between architecture and nature. The audience comprising students and architects was mesmerised by his art as well as his work which was a simple yet appropriate response unruffled by the technology of the West. His concluding remark “Architecture is indeed the result of dwelling and dwelling is the art of desire and inspiration” was a powerful one indeed. The students’ presentations from both University of Moratuwa and City School of Architecture proved an eye-opener to all their lively presentations, refreshing and hopeful in knowing that the future generation of architects are far more equipped at addressing issues relevant to the theme.

The ARCHITECT 2010 Exhibition of Architects’ work and the Trade was declared open to the public by Minister of Housing, Geethanjana Gunawardena from February 18 to 21, 2010 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Centre, Colombo. It was a showcase of works of members as well as the latest and the best quality materials available in the market today. The representatives of the trade were available to advice the public on the best applications of their products. The works of architects who have been the recipients of the design awards for 2010 as well as products which have received product awards for the current year displayed at the exhibition were an added attraction.

Compiled by Archt Tamara Wijayapala