The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) in 1986 felt the need to expand the profession of architecture in the form of increased opportunities for formal architectural education. The four year course of lectures referred to as the SLIA Part I Lecture Programme was established in the year 1986 and the SLIA Part II Lecture Programme, a three year course followed in the year 1991, leading towards full professional qualifications.

In 1999, the SLIA Part I & Part II lecture programmes were brought under the banner 'Colombo School of Architecture' and in 2008 the school was re-structured to have an independent management governed by the Board of Directors of City School of Architecture (Colombo) Ltd.
The school's name was changed to 'City School of Architecture' (CSA).

COURSES
Architectural education is a broad based teaching and learning process, where a major portion of the teaching and learning components lie in the real world of practice. The City School of Architecture (CSA) brings these experiences through its architectural programmes based on a "Learn while you Work" concept.

Talented and qualified individuals who possess an aptitude for architecture are selected through an aptitude test and interview and are given an opportunity to pursue an academic career in architecture, whilst apprenticing under a Chartered Architect.

Students thus receive a quotient of the practice based education through their Trainer Practices, whilst, CSA brings within its structured curriculum, architectural education and the experiences of the practice of architecture.

The School has on offer two courses of study - the four year CSA Part I Course and the three year CSA Part II Course, which prepare students towards the Parts I & II of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects' Professional Practice Examinations.

An average of 35-40 students joining the course per year is currently seen, where, by the 2009/2010 academic session, over 650 students had registered with the school since its inception twenty four years ago.

EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT Design is the core subject of the course and is conducted as interactive studios. An atmosphere of critical debate, innovative design thinking and a quest for creative design is encouraged through the faculty, critiques and tutors drawn form the practice and academia giving balanced teaching inputs.

Theory subjects, site visits, local and international experiencing architecture visits, joint study programmes with foreign universities, participation in local and foreign student conventions, apprenticing in a Trainer Practice - all offer the CSA students the necessary peripheral inputs to reinforce their design thinking and design skills and enrich them to become Tomorrows' Architects.
Joint study programmes have been conducted with the National University of Singapore, University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, USA and the Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology in Surat, India.
The "Learn while you work" concept of the course also enables students to form working relationships and establish direct links with the construction industry.

The Course is fee paying, but opportunities are afforded for students in financial need to obtain bursaries and scholarships to continue their studies. Every batch of students at CSA is diverse in terms of profession, age, cultural and social backgrounds.

This broadens students' views and brings together diverse personalities to create a wholesome environment for higher learning. The school operates from the premises of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects at Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7 and is well equipped with design studios, computer lab and resource centre.

A calendar of events encourages free interaction and participation of students. Counselling is available through welfare counsellors and practical training counsellors. High standards of education are encouraged by the recognition of good academic performance through Annual Awards and Scholarships.

Over 650 students have registered with the school and of the seventeen batches that have gone through the portals of the school, a large number have qualified as chartered architects locally and internationally.

Many have established their own private practices, whilst others have continued their education in academic institutions abroad, reading for Master's Degrees upon completion of the Part I or Part II Courses.

Many architects produced by the school have received awards and accolades locally and internationally. Three past CSA students received the first (tie) and second places (tie) in the Inaugural Geoffrey Bawa Excellence in Design Awards in 2008.

The school also has an active alumni association which assists the school in its development. FUTURE ACCREDITATION CSA now at the threshold of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Accreditation having received "Candidate Status" in 2009, aims to process accreditation in the near future.

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION - ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-2011 ARE INVITED FROM AUGUST 2 2010 - SEPTEMBER 6 2010

Students with pending GCE A/L results may apply (Conditions applicable)
City School of Architecture (Colombo) Ltd | 120/7, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7
tel: +9411 - 2678254, 2678270, 5- 737120, 5-737121 | fax: +9411-2678254
email: sliacsa@sltnet.lk | url: www.csacolombo.edu.lk