Sri Lankan group wins at Holcim Awards 2014 for Asia Pacific
View(s):A bird sanctuary in Thailand, a locally-adapted orphanage in Nepal, and a community library in Sri Lanka received the top prizes at the Holcim Awards 2014 Asia Pacific ceremony held recently in Jakarta, Indonesia.
A media release from the global cement producer said that for the first time a Sri Lankan architectural practice – Robust Architecture Workshop – won the Bronze award in the main category of the regional 4th international Holcim Awards.
Holcim Awards are open to architects, planners, engineers, project owners, builders and construction firms that showcase sustainable responses to technological, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues with contemporary building and construction.The bronze award was won by Milinda Pathiraja and Ganga Ratnayake of Robust Architecture Workshop for their community recuperation project in Ambepussa. “Developed in collaboration with the Sinha Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army, the project aims to disseminate knowledge and provide training in building techniques to soldiers through the construction of a community library. The building sits lightly in the landscape and wraps around an inner courtyard, taking full advantage of cross ventilation and daylight use. The use of rammed-earth walls and recycled materials reduce the building’s ecological footprint,” the Holcim release said.
Speaking about the award, Mr. Pathiraja said, “Our project was recognised because of its proposed engagements, interactions and processes in facilitating sustainable community development”.
Commenting on the win for Sri Lanka, Philippe Richart, CEO, Holcim Lanka said, “We are extremely proud to have a Sri Lankan winner at the Holcim Foundation Asia Pacific Awards. Holcim Awards provides a great opportunity for talented architects, engineers and building planners across the world to be exposed to global sustainable solutions in the construction industry and highlight talented individuals in a global competition.
The Holcim Awards ceremony in Jakarta for the competition region Asia Pacific concludes a series of five events following Moscow for Europe, Toronto for North America, Medellín for Latin America, and Beirut for Africa Middle East.
The Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction competition seeks innovative, future-oriented and tangible construction projects to promote sustainable responses to the technological, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues affecting building and construction on a local, regional and global level.