The afternoon session of the first day of the conference began with a presentation by keynote speakers Elizabeth Chu Richter and David Richter from Texas, USA. Both Fellows of the American Institute of Architects and former presidents of the Texas Society of Architecture, they shared their viewpoints on the philosophies, ethics, and disciplines of sharing and embracing that make for lasting architecture by using examples of their work over the years such as the design of the American Cemetery in Manila containing the graves of those who fought in the Second World War in the Pacific, and the Centre of History and Culture for African-Americans in Texas.

Lankan architect Palinda Kannangara, two-time recipient of the RIBA International Award spoke of his approach to his recent projects such as The Frame at Immaduwa built to respond to the fluid landscape, Studio Retreat at Pittugala, Wellness Retreat Habarana, and his own Studio Dwelling.

Architect, engineer, president and design director of NORR, Yahya Jan took the narrative from wide open spaces to the concrete jungle of Dubai, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the integrated design process, the intersectionality of art and science, and the challenges behind the ‘Ciel Tower’ which is slated to be the tallest hotel in the world at 365 metres.

In a virtual presentation, Professor Eva Jiricna  spoke about the successes and failures of her career spanning 55 years and the design process behind her signature glass staircase.

The final speaker for the day was Channa Daswatte, founding partner of MICD Associates and Chair of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, who addressed the history and origins of Tropical Modernism which has had a deep influence on the work of several generations of Sri Lankan architects.

On August 6, the morning session commenced with speakers, Kosala Weerasekara, Nadia Tromp, Brinda Somaya, Mohamadreza Ghodousi, Damith Premathilake and Christina Finucci.

Kosala Weerasekara, a recipient of the SLIA’s Young Architect of the Year Award in 2020 and 2022 set the tone for the final day with a talk focused on architecture’s lasting impact on society, extending beyond shaping cities to include its effect on the health, mood and productivity of the occupants. Discussing his own practice’s projects, he gave the audience an insight into their approach to create a lasting impact and how they face challenges and plan to sustain the practice.

Nadia Tromp, Founder of Ntsika Architects who in 2017, became the first female architect from the African continent to win a world architecture festival award for her design of the Westbury clinic, delivered an insightful talk on the effect of spatial segregation as a result of apartheid planning of the past in her native South Africa and her work that focuses on creating change.

Indian Architect, Urban Conservationist and recipient of the Indian Institute of Architects – Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 2014, Brinda Somaya delivering the keynote speech shared her journey and key rural and urban projects undertaken during her four decades long practice. Being a member of the first generation of practising architects born after India’s independence, she is a firm believer in “the architect’s role as a guardian, he or she is the conscience of the built and unbuilt environment.” Showcasing the diversity of her architectural practice she discussed projects ranging from designing a contemporary IT and BPO campus of Tata Consultancy Services on a 100-acre site to the rehabilitation of an earthquake devastated village in Gujarat.

She also focused on the issue of improving working conditions for women in labour in the construction industry as well as highlighting the work of Indian artisans by incorporating Indian crafts in her projects.

Iranian architect, founder of ZAV Architects and 11 time recipient of the Memar Award,   Mohamadreza Ghodousi talked about creating shifts in architecture through the exploration of social and economic resources in small communities and subculture circles. Architecture has to be flexible to address new and emerging changes, he told the audience.

Damith Premathilake, a recipient of the SLIA’s Young Architect of the Year Award 2016 and SLIA’s Award of Excellence 2012 and 2014 discussed the concept of adaptive resilience in architecture in the context of issues such as climate change, urbanization, and a global pandemic, particularly through the use of flexible and adaptable design strategies that involve creating buildings that can be easily modified or repurposed to meet changing needs. By eliminating the need for new construction, this technique helps to future-proof structures against changing circumstances and promotes sustainability.

The morning session concluded with an address by Italian architect and artist, Christina Finucci. Driven by her belief that art should have an impact on society, she embarked on creating awareness on plastic garbage through her initial projects and installations around the world. Since then, she has expanded her focus to bring light to other pressing issues affecting the state of the planet. Her project called “wasteland” opened the doors for her to become the president of a new country, the Garbage Patch State whose “territory” is the plastic island dotted throughout the ocean. It is a country of continuous growth, having now reached approximately 19M km. The project’s goal is to further educate the public about the existence of massive assemblages of plastic trash in the oceans known as the Garbage Patch.

Speakers Ben Derbyshire, Malisha Kodituwakku, Duangrit Bunnag and Nicolas Medrano addressed the afternoon session.

Drawn to the depths

Mueen Saheed and Raja Segar in ‘Refractions’

Letters to the Editor

Appreciations

RIBA gathering

You only cry twice

Cancer Society walk

Now it’s Gauguin at Sky Gallery