Throughout history, light has been used as a medium for navigational aid not only in a literal and spatial sense but also metaphorically. In metaphorical terms, light is identified as a medium that conveys content, both informative and informational. Thus, designing with light offers immeasurable creative scope, as the design process is ultimately just the […]

The architectural style of a given era in a country is particularly influenced by its sociological factors; determined by political and economic counterparts that are intrinsic to one another. The domestic architecture of ancient Ceylon was influenced by sociological factors such as the caste system, based on land tenure, feudal landownership and elitism. Domestic architecture […]

Words and Photography By Archt Hiranthi Pathirana (Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa) It should be noted that the understanding of nature comes to the mind slowly with careful analysis and discipline through contemplation, philosophising, remembering and reasoning. Learning to see and understand nature comes only after a careful and enthusiastic search for her minute […]

The ‘Na’ tree, (Mesua ferrea) (naka in Tamil and identified as the Ceylon ironwood) was named the national tree of Sri Lanka in 1986. It is a handsome closely branched slow growing evergreen tree with small lanceolate leaves and solitary fragrant flowers. It prefers the hot humid climes and is found in the intermediate rain […]

by Ismeth Raheem Photographs by Ulrik Plesner and Eresh Weerasuriya Quotes from Ulrik  Plesner are excerpts from an interview by Deepali Mody in August, 2007. Ulrik Plesner was definitely not the first Dane to travel to Sri Lanka in search of inspiration and fortune. Danish interest in Sri Lanka goes back to the mid-seventeenth century, […]

Black and white, yin-yang, positive-negative are some contrasts that bring about a wholesome balance. Such is the outdoor-indoor relationships of a building and its immediate outdoor environment at a basic level. The landscape professional sees the entire city as an urban landscape, while the architect translates the same city to be a built environment. By […]

By Zeena Marikkar To most people, cities seem to merely provide shelter and places for working, shopping, education and perhaps recreation. What is often not mentioned is the emotional appeal of a city – that unexplainable, spiritual attachment which helps to provide a sense of stability in a changing world. It is a feeling of […]