LEARNING TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT FOR HUMANKIND: ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION IN SRI LANKA
View(s):The development of any craft is rooted in sound education. Education equips individuals with the knowledge, principles, and techniques needed to excel in their chosen craft. Architecture, starting from the use of caves as shelters, has evolved into a defining craft of every civilisation throughout history.
Sri Lanka’s architectural education has a rich history, shaping the nation’s-built environment. Architecture students begin their hopeful journey after 13 years of school education, and subsequently gaining entrance to university. For the next five years, it would be a journey of wonder, exploration, and sometimes, just staying up all night only to draw one line on a piece of paper and call it a day!
The article explores the world of architectural education in Sri Lanka over the past 47 years, discussing its key components and their impact on the field.
Architectural education focuses on a rigorous curriculum, balancing theory, and practice, covering design, construction, history, engineering, and sustainability, providing a holistic understanding of the profession. For the most part, exercises are thinking and visualisation experiments to be frank, and every year we would participate in a few design projects, spanning over weeks at a time, starting from designing a home kitchens to houses to public kiosks and gradually moving to music halls, markets, high rise constructions, factories and mega projects etc.
With the establishment of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects by the “Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Law No. 1 of 1976” and amended by the “Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 1996”, the institute is empowered with the right to regulate and control architectural education in Sri Lanka and plays a pivotal role in shaping the future architects of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) offers a three-part curriculum for aspiring architects to register with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Examinations are conducted at the end of each part, and successful completion allows eligibility for ARB registration. Four institutions in Sri Lanka offer architecture education with SLIA validation, including the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture (CSA), which exempt students from Part I & II exams in their accredited degree programmes. The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) offers a Listed course degree, qualifying students to sit for Part I exams. The Department of Architecture at Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) has candidate status for accreditation, enabling students to sit for Part I & II exams. All programmes aim to provide high-quality education aligned with international standards and the construction industry.
These institutes emphasise hands-on learning experiences, encouraging students to actively engage in design studios, workshops, and site visits to gain practical insights into the profession. I would like to recall one time during my university days, in the first year itself, we were tasked with building a physical structure from scratch incorporating rammed (compacted) earth and brickwork, procuring our own material and resources, and bringing out the inner “mason-bass” at our core. It still holds fun memories and eternal hard work for some of us who may or may not have even touched a brick till then. Exercise as such, not only fostering partnership skills but also gave us insight into the practicalities of building a structure at the inception of our education.
A distinctive feature in Sri Lankan Architectural education is the emphasis on cultural heritage and sustainable design, drawing from diverse influences like ancient kingdoms, colonial periods, and contemporary trends. Students develop a strong appreciation through exposure to the country’s architectural heritage, including traveling as part of their education. With one too many field visits to explore and experience these places, one’s own parents would question if their child is still doing a degree or dropped out to travel!
Sustainability and environmental consciousness are integrated into the curriculum, preparing graduates to design eco-friendly structures. Collaboration with professionals on real-world projects fosters professionalism and career readiness, such as architects, construction firms and government bodies. For us as students, the most humbling and suspenseful, and liberating experiences in any usual design projects, are the assessments “crits” (short for critiques) done at specific intervals and at the end, with practicing architects attend to evaluate our performances, which would be 2 or 3 sessions per design project.
SLIA fosters internships & apprenticeships through registered training practices, connecting educational institutions with the construction industry, offering valuable practical experience and networking for architecture students. Internship times would differ from programme to program, ours consisting of a 10-month short stint of working at a practicing firm at the end of 3 consecutive years of learning.
The SLIA regularly updates its curriculum to stay relevant and progressive, the recent year being 2023, incorporating the latest advancements in technology, sustainable practices, and global design trends. It also focuses on equipping students with digital tools and software for CAD, visualisation, and BIM skills.
The latter stage of architectural education provides more emphasis on practice-based learning, curriculum consisting of legislative courses mostly to understand implications of proper practice of architecture in Sri Lanka. Quality of experience through working as a student or graduate architect is monitored though practical training counselling, accessing if students receive experience to conduct a building project from inception to post completion. As per the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 1996, amended by Extraordinary Gazette No. 2041/18 – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2017, upon successful completion of all 3 parts, students are eligible to apply for membership as a corporate member at the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, as chartered architects.
In addition, students also gain eligibility to register at the ARB(Architect’s Registration Board), established under the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 1996, which allows a valid registration for categories of building designers to be registered to practice under one wing, of which architecture students gain eligibility upon successful completion of all parts of curriculum of the SLIA.
Students in architectural education have the chance to study abroad through exchange programmes and showcase their talents in competitions supported by SLIA and international institutions. One such experience we cherished as students was the student jamboree programme that we participated in when we were just starting our second year at uni, giving us the opportunity to make friends with students from other schools. Our programme ended with a CSR project, with all of us painting a school hall together, with us performing some musical numbers for the kids, which turned out to be a humble experience altogether. Students also receive prime opportunity to bond with industry professionals when participating in The Annual Sessions conducted by the SLIA, consisting of a National Conference, and Architect Exhibition.
Architectural education in Sri Lanka features a comprehensive curriculum, cultural heritage emphasis, industry collaboration, and a commitment to evolving practices. It develops skilled and socially conscious architects who shape the nation’s-built environment, inspiring future generations for a vibrant architectural landscape.
J.Logapawan and
F.D.Casather
Sri Lanka Institute of Architects
Board of Architectural Publications
sliabap2021@gmail.com
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