SLIA to launch Architect 2016 on 23 July

Sri Lanka Institute of Architects will launch the Architect 2016 exhibition program and the 33rd Annual Sessions of SLIA at a grand ceremony on 23 July. This was disclosed at a special meeting in which the veteran architects and officials of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and the Architect 2016 Exhibition Organising Committee attended.

Following the tremendous success at the exhibition and the 32rd Annual Sessions which took place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo from 17 to 22 February earlier this year, the organisers are looking forward to host the next edition in a superior manner.  

The organising committee hailed the support extended by the sponsors during the exhibition and the 32nd Annual Sessions in 2015 and expressed their gratitude to all of them.

SLIA Senior Vice President and Organising Committee Chairman Bernard Gomes, addressing the gathering said that the exhibition featured 304 stalls represented by the leading companies and entrepreneurs who are actively involved in various sectors with regard to construction and architecture locally and internationally.

“We had a tremendous success last year thanks to our generous sponsors. We expect that there will be more and more sponsors pouring in and the number of exhibition stalls will increase in a significant manner. We have given the maximum exposure for our sponsors who have been the pillars of our success and we also hope that there will be more and more sponsors coming in,” said Assistant Treasurer Salinda Ratugama.

“Sri Lanka’s growth in the construction field has been phenomenal in the recent years irrespective of the political situation within the country. The chartered architects in Sri Lanka are playing an important role within the prevailing construction boom. According to the parliamentary act, at least one local chartered architect should be involved in each of the mega construction projects. But this only happens in around 95 percent of the projects which involves international contractors. This has to change. Through this kind of exhibitions, everyone will understand that our local architects are as talented as the international architects,” he added.

Committee Member Rajith Jayawardene said that the next generation of Sri Lankan architects are willing to offer their fullest corporation to add glamour to this prestigious exhibition.

“The Young Architects’ Association will team up with SLIA to add a modern touch to this year’s exhibition and our ultimate goal is to make this event a one to remember,” he added.

Initiated in 1982, with only a few stalls at the Delegates Lounge of the BMICH, the Architects Exhibition has reached the peak of its popularity not only among the public but also with the trade over the years. Today it is an anticipated event in the public calendar and is a guaranteed crowd puller, with nearly 300,00 including the general public, professionals, students and businesses, visiting each year.

The Architect 2016 exhibition will be the most prominent exhibition of the construction industry in Sri Lanka and is part of the 33rd Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects.

More details regarding the exhibition will be disclosed at the launch on 23 July.