Domain Expert Guidance
Course Material
flights
hotels
local & airport transfers
breakfast & dinner
visas
entry fees
The Architecture Experience – Sri Lanka takes the participant on a journey starting with the early typologies of Sri Lankan architecture, moving on to the identity of Sri Lankan architecture, a confluence of local and European styles, and end with modern architecture we see today – Tropical Modernist architecture. Participants get to explore Geoffrey Bawa’s work, along with projects which showcase sustainable practices through different perspectives and interpretations.
Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Image on top – Heritance Kandalama hotel, Dambulla
9
days
20
participants
5
cities
What is The Architecture Experience - Sri Lanka?
The best approach to growing as an architect is to learn from experiencing and observing. The Architecture Experience aims to do just that. Participants get to observe the journey of Tropical Modernism, through site visits and interactions with local architects, and use the learning to design a pavilion which integrates with its surroundings. The Experience will be a nine day long curated educational tour for up to twenty participants, across 5 cities in Sri Lanka.
These visits will focus on observing and learning about the importance of site sensitivity, different architectural techniques – active and passive, importance of material selection, use of local resources and other aspects vital to sustainability. The visits will foster a deep understanding of building with nature with an inclination to local materials and techniques, while working on the documentation project will collate the learning of Tropical Modernist ideals on architecture across – be it in an urban setting, landscape, rural or any other.
Itinerary
In the 9 days, participants will get to work on their own Capstone project in sync with their work, or their subjects in college. These projects will be relevant for different Indian landscapes (be it urban or rural), with inspiration taken from places visited during this Experience.
Villa Bentota on Paradise Road
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 1
Arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Travel to Dambulla.
Orientation on the structure of the tour visits and project. Finalisation of teams, and the participants’ individual roles and responsibilities within the team will be defined.
Day 2
Topic of discussion: Identity of traditional Sri Lankan architecture, influence of art, history of Sri Lanka and its ancient irrigation systems.
Places visited: Anuradhapura ruins, walking tour, Kaludiya Pokuna.
Day 3
Topic of discussion: Vernacular architecture, makings of tropical architecture – some of the common features and its response to climate.
Places visited: Heritance Kandalama Hotel (Architecture of Geoffrey Bawa), Menikdena Archaeological Reserve and Arboretum.
Day 4
Topic of discussion: Achieving functionality and aesthetics while employing passive planning techniques and building with local and salvaged materials, sustainability strategies.
Places visited: Cinnamon Bey Hotel.
Day 5
Topic of discussion: Importance of spatial planning as a tool to maximise appeal and minimise resources consumed. building with local materials and local construction techniques.
Places visited: Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle Fort Area.
Day 6
Topic of discussion: Achieving functionality and aesthetics while employing passive planning techniques and building with local and salvaged materials. sustainability strategies, landscape planning.
Places visited: Lunuganga Estate.
Day 7
Topic of discussion: Architecture beyond the structure – as a socio-cultural tool as seen in Seema Malaka, preserving cultural identities.
Places visited: Seema Malaka Pavilion, No. 11, Bagatalle Road, Studio Visit.
Day 8
Topic of discussion: The scope of Tropical Modernist design in urban typologies, presentation and review of the project.
Places visited: Barefoot Gallery Cafe, De Saram House, Dutch Hospital, Galle Green Face.
Day 9
Culmination of the tour, brief on submission of Capstone project.
Departure to India or home country.
Upcoming batches
How Much Does It Cost?
INR 86,000 /$1,250 (early bird pricing)
The price includes flights ex-Chennai, India (taxes extra). The price without flights is $1050. Please contact us if you are a NASA India student, for discounted pricing. Early bird pricing is available till April 7, 2024 only.
What does the cost include?
Our Partners
People
Atul Saraff
MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology
Curator & Tour leader - The Architecture Experience
Testimonials
I loved the Bawa site visits(especially Lunuganga) and meeting with Palinda. The fact that we could closely experience Bawa's works would definitely add to our designs and projects. All the important spots were thoughtfully covered and personal attention was given everywhere. Guidance from Rachita, on not only the project but also on architecture as a field, was really helpful. She is amazing and is an excellent mentor. She answered all our questions patiently and is a very sweet and friendly person. Overall planning and organizing of the tour was amazing. We were allowed to explore on our own and make changes to the itinerary if required, which gave us more exposure. Lastly, it was an extremely fun trip where we enjoyed 24x7 and made unforgettable memories. Kudos to Ankit and The Happy Llamas!
Chirag Betgeri
2nd Year, MMCOA, Pune
(Participant - Sri Lanka, October 2023)
(Participant - Sri Lanka, October 2023)
This was a productive trip, and everything was enjoyable and worth it. Especially the Heritance Kandalama and Lunuganga site visits, and the meetings with Ar. Palinda and Dominic. I feel my planning and design approach has refined, and service-oriented concepts have become clearer - like how a balance between landscape and built environment has to be maintained. I can say I can implement all of what I learned here in Sri Lanka! It was a fun learning process! Thank you, Ankit - your company was pleasing! I had a good time. And Rachita - will always want to learn from you!
Kriya Shah
4th Year, Appasaheb Birnale College of Architecture, Sangli
(Participant - Sri Lanka, October 2023)
(Participant - Sri Lanka, October 2023)
Studio and site visits were very well organised but what I loved the most were the interactive sessions that we had with various artists and architects in Sri Lanka. Conversations with them were an extremely enriching experience. I got a better understanding in material selection, and the integration of nature in the landscape was eye opening. Prithy and Kshitija curated the experience extremely well and I got to learn a lot from them. About the places as well as the field in general. It was a great experience altogether! Very well planned especially keeping in mind the fact that we were here for a decent number of days and have almost covered everything ranging from the historic places to the modern ones. This trip was worth the money and will definitely influence my design in the future.
Shhrruti Jain
Architect
(Participant, October 2019)
(Participant, October 2019)
Sustainable Development Goals
All our Experiences are aimed at implementing and solving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. Goal no. 17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’ is key to our Experiences, since we work with a global team of experts to be able to add value to the learning of the participants. The Architecture Experience Sri Lanka focuses on 3 of the Goals primarily.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
– Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
– By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing
– By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement
– By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
– By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
– Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
FAQs
– Students and fresh graduates from architecture colleges and related fields
– Young professionals from architecture, design and related fields who want to explore the journey of Tropical Modernism in Sri Lanka
Yes! The Experience takes place in Sri Lanka to explore the theme of Tropical Modernism. The projects covered in this Experience include some of Geoffrey Bawa’s most famous works and that of next generation architects that have carried his design philosophy forward.
Yes! This Experience will take up to 20 participants. These participants will be split into smaller teams to execute projects (pavilion design) which are designed to give added value to their ongoing projects (school or live).
The Architecture Experience is designed with the intent of enhancing architectural understanding. To this end, a short project is included as part of the experience. The participants will explore methods of observation and documentation while focusing on ideologies of Tropical Modernism and its applications.
This Experience will focus on observing and learning about the importance of site sensitivity, different architectural techniques – active and passive, importance of material selection and other aspects vital to sustainable architecture, which are important tenets of contemporary and new age architecture, be it urban or non urban.
Yes! From a logistics point of view, this price includes the cost of accommodation, flights, visas, breakfast and dinner, local and airport transfers, and entry fees where applicable.
“
A building can only be understood by moving around and through it, and by experiencing the modulation, and feel the spaces one moves through - from outside into verandah, then rooms, passages, courtyards. Architecture cannot be totally explained but must be experienced."
Geoffrey Bawa
Contact Us
Lunuganga Estate, Bentota
If you’d like to know more about The Architecture Experience – Sri Lanka, please fill out this form, and one of us llamas will get back to you shortly.