Lankan architects aiming at designer village homes to uplift the community
Sri Lankan architects, keen to create a new identity and perception of their work and ethics, are launching a new programme aimed at enhancing the beauty of simple village homes made of wattle and daub, cadjan, cow dung floor houses – all to attract foreign tourists.
Top officials told a media briefing this week in Colombo to announce the holding of ‘Architect 2014’ – Architectures ‘Envisioning Futures’ – the five day exhibition, and Annual Sessions commencing from February 19 that they hoped (through this process) the change the public perception of Sri Lankan architects through this programme, with tourism authorities, to foster home-stays for tourists.
Harsha Fernando, Senior Vice President/ Chairman, SLIA Annual Awards 2014 said this was essential as people perceived architects as servicing clients and enjoying life with caring for the community.
This programme extends to other types of houses too, he said, adding that it not only enhances the income of those village households and sharing of culture but is also big boost for the travel industry in Sri Lanka.
Then, he said that those households could accommodate travellers for one or two days, provide them with meals and share the different cultures while earning money for their living. He said that they are promoting this concept as it is being practiced in many countries as a viable mode of serving travellers and is one of the architects’ social responsibility event.
There are several such far reaching CSR projects launched by the Sri Lankan Architects to become a part of the social fabric of the country and share their part of responsibility towards the community in which they serve.
In another such project, he said they hope to set up comfortable model villages for the disabled. Homes of the disabled would be converted to to ease their movement and help them to even engage in household work as well as gardening.
Architect 2014 is being held this year for the 32nd consecutive year. The opening ceremony would be followed by the opening of the Members’ Works and Trade Exhibition and at the exhibition there would be 294 stalls that display a multitude of products and services in the field of construction while a separate area is designated to display the work of architects and students.
Janaka Wijesundara, Chairman, National Conference on Architecture 2014 said that the role of architecture expands from building design and construction into a broader realm of involving with creating new life styles, fashioning choices, empowering possibilities, adding values, emerging smart living and enlightening realities for meaningful life. Prof. Chitra Weddikkara, President, SLIA made the welcome address.