Renowned environmental architect Sunela to headline Dilmah Conservation’s Grey2Green masterclass

Award-winning environmental architect Sunela Jayewardene

• Takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on 2 July at Genesis

The Grey2Green Initiative, a movement by Dilmah Conservation in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network Sri Lanka (UNGC) will present the first masterclass session of its Building Green Skills Series an exclusive session by acclaimed environmental architect, author and conservationist Sunela Jayewardene.

Titled “Beyond Concrete: Architecture for the Coexistence of Species”, the masterclass will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on 2 July 2026 at Genesis, bringing together students, architects, urban planners, sustainability professionals, corporates and environmentally conscious citizens committed to reimagining the future of Sri Lanka’s urban landscapes.

As cities continue to expand increasing implications to human health and wellbeing and biodiversity comes under increasing pressure, the session will challenge conventional approaches to urban development by exploring how our built environments can evolve from static concrete structures into thriving, interconnected ecosystems that support both human and non-human life. “Grey2Green is about much more than planting trees in urban spaces. It is about fundamentally changing how we think about the relationship between people, nature and the cities we inhabit,” said the organisers. “Sunela Jayewardene’s pioneering work demonstrates that architecture can become a powerful tool for ecological restoration and coexistence.”

The masterclass will delve into the concept of non-human centred design, encouraging participants to rethink architecture as a discipline that actively accommodates and nurtures other species. Drawing inspiration from Sri Lanka’s rich precolonial ecological wisdom, Jayewardene will demonstrate how traditional design principles can provide practical solutions to some of today’s most pressing environmental and urban challenges.

Participants will gain insights into:

n Moving beyond superficial “green” aesthetics to create regenerative ecological systems.

n Designing built environments that actively recognise and support biodiversity.

n Rediscovering traditional Sri Lankan design features that enhance climate resilience and ecological function.

n Learning from pioneering projects such as Jetwing Vil Uyana and the Rainforest Ecolodge, where architecture and nature exist in harmony.

n Reimagining cities as shared habitats that foster stewardship and coexistence rather than domination over nature.

Widely recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s leading environmental architects, Sunela Jayewardene has spent decades championing an approach to design that seamlessly integrates conservation, culture and community. Her award-winning body of work has garnered both local and international recognition for demonstrating that sustainable development and biodiversity conservation can work hand in hand.

The Grey2Green Initiative continues to build momentum as a citizen-driven movement to transform underutilised urban grey spaces into vibrant green habitats. Through the Building Green Skills Series, the initiative seeks to equip individuals and organisations with the knowledge and practical skills needed to create healthier, more resilient and biodiverse cities.

The Grey2Green Initiative invites all those interested in architecture, conservation, urban sustainability and the future of Sri Lanka’s cities to be part of this important conversation and movement for change.