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The Architecture Experience – Sri Lanka takes the participant on a journey starting with the early typologies of Sri Lankan architecture, moving on to the identity of Sri Lankan architecture, a confluence of local and European styles, and end with modern architecture we see today – Tropical Modernist architecture. Participants get to explore Geoffrey Bawa’s work, along with projects which showcase sustainable practices through different perspectives and interpretations.
Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Image on top – Heritance Kandalama hotel
9
days
20
participants
6
cities
What is The Architecture Experience - Sri Lanka?
The best approach to growing as an architect is to learn from experiencing and observing. The Architecture Experience aims to do just that. Participants get to observe the journey of Tropical Modernism, through site visits and interactions with local architects, and use the learning to design a pavilion which integrates with its surroundings. The Experience will be a nine day long curated educational tour for up to twenty participants, across 6 cities in Sri Lanka.
These visits will focus on observing and learning about the importance of site sensitivity, different architectural techniques – active and passive, importance of material selection, use of local resources and other aspects vital to sustainability. The visits will foster a deep understanding of building with nature with an inclination to local materials and techniques, while working on the documentation project will collate the learning of Tropical Modernist ideals on architecture across – be it in an urban setting, landscape, rural or any other.
Itinerary
In the 9 days, participants will get to work on their own project in sync with their work, or their subjects in college. These projects will be relevant for different Indian landscapes (be it urban or rural), with inspiration taken from places visited during this Experience.
A courtyard in Bawa’s campus for the University of Ruhuna. Image © Harry Sowden
Day 1
Late evening arrival in Sri Lanka.
Orientation on the structure of the tour visits and project. Finalisation of teams, and the participants’ individual roles and responsibilities within the team will be defined.
Day 2
Topic of discussion: Identity of traditional Sri Lankan architecture, influence of art, history of Sri Lanka and its ancient irrigation systems.
Places visited: Anuradhapura ruins, walking tour, Anuradhapura Pilgrim’s Rest House, Kaludiya Pokuna.
Day 3
Topic of discussion: Vernacular architecture, makings of tropical architecture – some of the common features and its response to climate.
Places visited: Heritance Kandalama Hotel (Architecture of Geoffery Bawa), Trinity College Chapel, The Kandy House.
Day 4
Topic of discussion: Architecture beyond the structure – as a socio-cultural tool as seen in The Parliament and Seema Malaka, preserving cultural identities.
Places visited: The Parliament, Independence memorial, Seema Malakaya Pavilion, studio visit.
Day 5
Topic of discussion: The kind of varied influences and strategies employed in the Lunuganga Estate gardens, landscaping and Cinnamon Bey’s outstanding efforts to minimise its consumption of resources and energy while maximising recycling.
Places visited: Lunuganga, Bentota Tourist Village, Villa Bentota, Avani Bentota, Cinnamon Bey.
Day 6
Topic of discussion: Importance of spatial planning as a tool to maximise appeal and minimise resources consumed. building with local materials and local construction techniques.
Places visited: SOS Children’s Village, Jetwing Lighthouse, Fort Printers, Galle Fort Hotel.
Day 7
Topic of discussion: Achieving functionality and aesthetics while employing passive planning techniques and building with local and salvaged materials.
Places visited: Mulgirigala Raja Maha Vihare, The Last House, Ruhuna University.
Day 8/9
Topic of discussion: The scope of Tropical Modernist design in urban typologies, presentation and review of the project.
Places visited: No. 11, Bagatalle Road, Paradise Road Gallery Cafe, De Saram House, Dutch Hospital, walking tour in Colombo.
Late night departure for India.
Upcoming batches
Summer of 2022
How Much Does It Cost?
INR 66,000
The prices are ex-India. To know more on the pricing from your country, please reach out to us through the contact form at the bottom of this page.
What does the cost include?
*Flights are ex-Bengaluru/Chennai
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Testimonials
Studio and site visits were very well organised but what I loved the most were the interactive sessions that we had with various artists and architects in Sri Lanka. Conversations with them were an extremely enriching experience. I got a better understanding in material selection, and the integration of nature in the landscape was eye opening. Prithy and Kshitija curated the experience extremely well and I got to learn a lot from them. About the places as well as the field in general. It was a great experience altogether! Very well planned especially keeping in mind the fact that we were here for a decent number of days and have almost covered everything ranging from the historic places to the modern ones. This trip was worth the money and will definitely influence my design in the future.
Shhrruti Jain
Architect
(Participant, October 2019)
(Participant, October 2019)
The Architecture Experience Sri Lanka was amazing. Prithi and Kshitija were amazing mentors. They explained things really well, making us observe and question every small detail. Meeting the architects and artists like Laki Senanayake made us step out of our comfort zone. These interactions helped us understand the importance of sustainability and modernism and how they go hand in hand in today's time. How Sri Lanka incorporates so much of nature in their design. I also saw live interpretations of landscaping. Meeting new people and working with them helped me gain their perspective and experience. I am going back with loads of memories of culture, food, new friends, mentors and lastly of an amazing architectural experience. Definitely 10 on 10!
Shivika Sharma
4TH YEAR, JAMIA MILIA UNIVERSITY, DELHI
(PARTICIPANT, OCTOBER 2019)
(PARTICIPANT, OCTOBER 2019)
I had wanted to visit Sri Lanka for a while now and see some of the Tropical Modernism examples that I had always read about. So coming on this trip was a dream come true. The visit to the Heritance Kandalama hotel and Lunuganga estate were the highlights. I also got to see the sustainability measures taken at the Cinnamon Bey hotel. Both the curators were very friendly and humble. I got to meet a lot of interesting and cool people and I am gonna leave with a lot of memories but even better than that is the experience I have had.
Govind Dinesh
GRADUATE, TKM COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, PEROOR
(PARTICIPANT, OCTOBER 2019)
(PARTICIPANT, OCTOBER 2019)
Sustainable Development Goals
All our Experiences are aimed at implementing and solving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. Goal no. 17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’ is key to our Experiences, since we work with a global team of experts to be able to add value to the learning of the participants. The Architecture Experience Sri Lanka focuses on 3 of the Goals primarily.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
– Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
– By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing
– By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement
– By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
– By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
– Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
FAQs
– Students and fresh graduates from architecture colleges and related fields
– Young professionals from architecture, design and related fields who want to explore the journey of Tropical Modernism in Sri Lanka
Yes! The Experience takes place in Sri Lanka to explore the theme of Tropical Modernism. The projects covered in this Experience include some of Geoffrey Bawa’s most famous works and that of next generation architects that have carried his design philosophy forward.
Yes! This Experience will take up to 20 participants. These participants will be split into smaller teams to execute projects (pavilion design) which are designed to give added value to their ongoing projects (school or live).
The Architecture Experience is designed with the intent of enhancing architectural understanding. To this end, a short project is included as part of the experience. The participants will explore methods of observation and documentation while focusing on ideologies of Tropical Modernism and its applications.
This Experience will focus on observing and learning about the importance of site sensitivity, different architectural techniques – active and passive, importance of material selection and other aspects vital to sustainable architecture, which are important tenets of contemporary and new age architecture, be it urban or non urban.
Yes! From a logistics point of view, this price includes the cost of accommodation, flights, visas, breakfast and dinner, local and airport transfers, and entry fees where applicable.
“
A building can only be understood by moving around and through it, and by experiencing the modulation, and feel the spaces one moves through - from outside into verandah, then rooms, passages, courtyards. Architecture cannot be totally explained but must be experienced."
Geoffrey Bawa
Contact Us
Lunuganga Estate, Bentota
If you’d like to know more about The Architecture Experience – Sri Lanka, please fill out this form, and one of us llamas will get back to you shortly.