Architect 2013

The ceremonial inauguration

The main events of the 31^st Annual Session of the SLIA took place with the theme, “Think Smart – Innovative Enterprise Architecture”.

During the ceremonial inauguration of the sessions
Dr Sarath Amunugama, Minister of International Monetary Corporation graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Several eminent Ministers and Government officials, the President of the Malaysian Institute of Architects and the Vice President of the Pakistan Institute of Architects as well as professional architects from abroad and the Membership were well represented at this red letter event in the annual agenda of the SLIA.

The Members’ Work and Trade Exhibition of ‘Architect 2013’ was ceremonially opened subsequent to the inauguration of the sessions by the President of the Malaysian Institute of Architects Arct Ahmad Saifuddin. The Exhibition comprised of 230 stalls that displayed products and services in the field of construction. Over 100 registered architectural practices displayed their latest work. The students from the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture exhibited their creations and coursework.

The National Conference on Architecture

The Chief Guest for the occasion was Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development while the Convenor of the Conference was Archt Upendra Randeniya.

The deliberations were on expanding the horizons of the profession to include social entrepreneurship. Local and foreign professionals spoke on projects where innovative and enterprising architecture has been created in the simplest of circumstances successfully to build cities. Designers of iconic architecture explained the significance of their work in the public realm and shared experiences in initiating enterprising architecture.

In all these instances design has been used as a tool to connect previously unrelated investors with opportunities.

The speakers were;

• Dr Darin Gunesekera – an economist who introduced the concept of social entrepreneurship to Sri Lanka.
• Archt Kevin Owens – Design Principal with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games
• Archt Professor Jo Noero – Professor of Architecture at the University of Cape Town from 2000 to date. His focus has been on public buildings especially design work in the once segregated townships of South Africa
• Archt Dr Rory Hyde – a practicing Architect from Australia
• Mark Baughman, Managing Partner of the Architectural Practice SKB since 2005 – his efforts to combine both his design talent and prominent industry position to lead and participate in numerous projects done or undertaken for the public good without any payment or compensation has gained him well-deserved respect from the community
• Dr Ranjith Dayaratne is a fellow member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Bahrain
• Archt Milroy Perera – a fellow member of the SLIA who has held positions in Council. He is the Principal Architect of Milroy Perera Associates – a company that has carried out landmark projects in Sri Lanka
• Archt Suranjith de Silva, Managing Director of DG 5 – a practice that has carried out several prestigious projects in Sri Lanka

The Fellowship Nite concluded the Annual Sessions with the bands Corrine with Burn and Heat providing the music for the colourful grand finale.