Brinda Somaya
AIA International was a co-sponsor for the "Architecture: A Lasting Impact" conference in Sri Lanka on August 5-6, 2023. The event was organized by the RIBA Members: Sri Lanka, headed by Nela de Zoysa, Hon. FAIA. Nela de Zoysa is AIA International's Country Representative to Sri Lanka and formerly served on the AIA Strategic Council.
Nela de Zoysa, conference organiser
The conference was attended by several hundred architects, and the venue was the SOM-designed Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremasinghe opened the conference and welcomed the Sri Lankan and foreign attendees. There was an excellent mixture of presentations by foreign and Sri Lankan architects. Foreign speakers included former AIA National presidents Thomas Vonier and Elizabeth Chu Richter, UIA Gold Medalist Brinda Somaya, former RIBA President Ben Derbyshire, Eva Jiricna, Nadia Tromp, Mohamadreza Ghodousi, and representing AIA International, Lester Korzilius.
Ranil Wikremesingh, President of Sri Lanka
Lester Korzilius
Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte gave an inspired Keynote address tracing the development of Sri Lankan architecture, with particular reference to the work of the Sri Lankan master, Geoffrey Bawa, for whom Channa Daswatte worked. Sri Lankan architects Palinda Kannangara, Damith Prematilaka, Kosal Weerasekera, and Malisha Kodituwakku shared examples of their work and demonstrated how superb architecture can be achieved with minimal means.
Channa Daswatte
The conference featured some optional tours exploring Geoffrey Bawa's work. The highlights were Bawa's house in Colombo, his country house 'Lunuganga', and the Kandalama Hotel. These projects demonstrate an unparalleled, seamless architectural connection between inside and outside, creating an enveloping sense of place, and in this regard, exceeds the achievements of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The conference also featured the premiere of a recent documentary on the work of Geoffrey Bawa entitled "The Genius of the Place". You should watch this documentary if you can't travel to Sri Lanka to view Bawa's work.
Lester Korzilius, FAIA, RIBA
AIA International Strategic Council Representative
lester.korzilius@aiainternational.org
