Renowned British architect takes audience on a journey of knowledge
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Members – Sri Lanka presented ‘People, Personalities & Presentation’ – a guest lecture by Archt. Richard Brindley visiting from the UK. Brindley is renowned for his lectures at the Architectural Association (AA) & Bartlet and his impactful tenure as Executive Director in the RIBA from 2003 to 2015.
Richard Brindley (above) and Nela De Zoysa (right) addressing the gathering. Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
The lecture was held on January 4 at the Jubilee Hall in Galle Face Hotel – a historic location for architecture in Sri Lanka, as it was where the Ceylon Institute of Architects (CIA) was born in 1957, which subsequently became the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) in 1976.
The traditional oil lamp was lit by a few of the distinguished guests, including speaker Archt. Richard Brindley, guest of honour Archt. Mary Arnold Forster, chief guest Chairman of the Urban Development Authority Archt. Harshan De Silva, Chair RIBA Members Sri Lanka Archt. Nela De Zoysa and more.
The welcome address delivered by Nela De Zoysa was equal parts nostalgia as she reminisced on the beginnings of the SLIA and its 50th anniversary in 2007, as well as fond remembrance for “one of the dearest and distinguished members of the RIBA”, the recently departed Deshamanya Roland Silva. This was followed by another touching eulogy for Roland Silva by President of the SLIA Archt. Veranjan Kurukulasuriya.
Following a comprehensive introduction of Brindley’s work and accomplishments by Ms. De Zoysa, Brindley took to the stage.
“If Richard set his mind on something, he made it work,” Ms De Zoysa observed, which was precisely the ethos that his presentation aimed to instil, with knowledge garnered through his own experience and study.
The aptly named ‘People, Personalities and Presentation’ focused on areas that included understanding people (clients as well as yourself), knowing behaviour and dealing effectively with different personalities, working well with others and effective teamwork and leadership, as well as making successful presentations while engaging and influencing others.
Through the exploration of concepts such as the pillars of emotional intelligence, personality types like the Myers Briggs personality indicators and key points of giving presentations such as body movement, words and voice tone and modulation — Richard Brindley took his audience on a powerful and effective journey of knowledge that is applicable to any field.
The overwhelming interest and enthusiasm of the audience was evident in the robust Q&A session that followed, and carried on into the networking session afterwards.