SLIA conducts Architect 2012 from 22 to 26 Feb.

The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) will be conducting Architect 2012, the annual sessions of the institute from 22 to 26 February at the BMICH. The sessions include a line of events which commences with the Inauguration Ceremony on 22 February, followed by the opening of the Members’ Work and Trade Exhibition that will take place during the four day period. The National Conference will be held on 23 February while the annual general meeting and the fellowship night on the 25 of February. This will be the 29th National Conference while the Members’ Work and Trade Exhibition will be held for the 30th consecutive year.

“The primary objectives and the responsibilities of the SLIA is to guide the profession in the country and oversee architecture education in the country. The annual sessions are organised to support enhance the field of architecture as well as promote the study of architecture in the country,” said SLIA President Architect Ranjan Nadespillai.

The Members’ Work and Trade Exhibition which will be open to the public for a period of four days ensures a record number of over 100 architects participating this year with over 200 stallholders. The exhibition will showcase work completed by architects and stalls from the construction industry.

“This is the ideal gateway for the general public to get the notion of the profession of architecture through the work that will be displayed by the architects and also to obtain details, identify the latest trends and products in the construction market,” said SLIA Chairman, Board of Management Architect D.B Navaratne.

Aspiring architects and students are able to get an insight to architecture education in the country with the participation of the two seats of architecture education in the country, University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture Colombo. Students’ work will also be exhibited demonstrating the on how the students are cultivated through the schools.

“Themed as ‘Regenerating Sri Lanka, the Architect and the Built Environment’, the National Conference will be focused on a nationally important topic once again this year” said SLIA Conference Chairman and Secretary to the Professional Affairs Board Architect Rohana Bandara Herath.

With the end of the 30 year dark period in the country, Sri Lanka is experiencing changes and revival in social, cultural, economical and educational aspects. The National Conference hopes to explore the view of architects as the creators of the built environment on how to regenerate the country. The theme will be categorised to three sections.

Prof. Jan Gahl from Denmark will be the keynote speaker for the first session invigorating public spaces and cities – the national and international experience while the three main speeches will be covered by Engineer Janaka Kurukulasuriya, Dr. Janaka Wijesundara and Architect Madhura Prematilleke.

The keynote for session two, recreating residential environments will be done by Prof. Frans van der Werf, while Dr. L.S.R Perera and Architect Thisara Thanapathy will be the local representatives for this topic. The third session recreating residential environments and revival of socio – cultural heritage will be discussed by Prof. Nalini Thakur, Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike and Vidyajyothi Archt Ashley de Vos in detail.

One of the longest running academic programs in the world, becoming an architect is a lifetime commitment. To obtain the title ‘Chartered Architect’ takes approximately eight years including not only academic qualification and knowledge but training and practice in the field. The two recognised and authentic institutes for architecture education in the country include the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture Colombo.

“Architecture education in Sri Lanka is recognised globally and many local experts are currently engaged to international architectural projects around the globe” said Navaratne.According to SLIA Immediate Past President Architect Chandana Edirisuriya, “As the professional body promoting architecture in Sri Lanka, the institute holds close association with international architectural bodies.”

Sri Lanka is listed in the International Union of Architects (UIA), the global network dedicated to the architectural profession giving high recognition to the institute world over. Commonwealth Association of Architects is a membership organisation for institutes representing architects in the commonwealth countries in which many Sri Lankan Architects play prominent roles holding top positions in the organisation.  The Architects Regional Council Asia (ArcAsia) and  South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects (SAARCH) are two international organisations that SLIA holds close association with taking local architecture and talent beyond the shores. Architect 2012 will be a unique event that will educate and explore the aspects of architecture allowing the public to recognise the science and art behind the profession. The SLIA ‘Architect 2012’ is organised in association with Strategic Sponsor Alumex (Pvt) Ltd and associate Strategic Sponsor Ranjanas Ceramics.