Bawa winner Pradeep Kodikara to “stay curious and keep learning”

Thursday, 31 July 2014 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Shares his thoughts on architecture and recent victory

An opportunity to win the Geoffrey Bawa Awards for excellence in architecture comes around only once every three years and with its third cycle coming into closure last week, not many architects can boast of being its recipient. The recognition that comes with winning a Bawa illustrates the legacy of the man after whom it was named. Deshamanya Vidyajyothi Geoffrey Bawa is such a recognisable name in Sri Lankan architecture and is himself the recipient of many lucrative national and international awards such as the Chairman’s Award for the Agha Khan Award for Architecture for lifetime achievement in architecture, which he received in 2001. A testament to his truly unique talent, he was the third of only four people to have received this prestigious Chairman’s Award in the 34 years of existence of the award. The award scheme for the Bawa awards is also modelled after the Agha Khan Trust. Pradeep Kodikara was the winner of the 2014 cycle for his design of the Kadju House in Tangalle. Built in 2007, the project was commissioned by an Indian client to be used as both a private holiday home as well as a boutique hotel. The two-storey 3,400 sq ft house sits on a one acre plot of land and derives its name from a small plantation of kadju trees found at the location. The house has a number of cross-ventilated rooms with themes such as the sea room, courtyard room, pool room, garden room, spa room and dining room designed to provide a variety of experiences and facilities for guests to enjoy. Located several hundred metres away from the ocean, the stunning view of the Indian Ocean at Seenimodera Bay can be enjoyed from the first floor and the sight is enhanced by the strategic location of its 36-foot-long infinity pool. The design also incorporates alternative materials such as brick plastered walls and cinnamon stick screens which create an ambiance of being one with nature and illustrate an awareness of local resources. Following are excerpts of an interview with Kodikara:

Tell us a little bit about your earliest experiences as an architect and how you were directed into this field?

I was drawn to architecture as a small boy, when an architect’s office opened in my neighbourhood. I thought this is something I would like to do.

The Geoffrey Bawa Awards are also a celebration of the arts. According to you, how much art is involved in architecture?

It depends, sometimes locating a most ordinary object in a favourable background can become art, or it can mean commissioning a famous artist to do a piece. Knowingly or unknowingly we add bits and pieces of art to complement the architecture. In the case of Kadju House we commissioned a couple of young artists from the area to do us some paintings. We also used old letter boxes that were used in Government departments by hanging them on a wall.

What inspires you as an artist?

Nature inspires me as an artist.

In what way have Geoffrey Bawa’s own designs influenced your own style as an architect?

I am influenced by the connection he makes between the inside and outside of a building, and the constant reference he makes to the surrounding environment.

Kadju House was designed to be both a boutique hotel and private holiday home. How did you incorporate these different uses into one design?

The client has a very eclectic taste in art, so this is reflected in the interior. Other than that I didn’t do anything special.

How is the experience of working for international clients different from working for local clients?

There is no difference except sometimes the foreign clients are willing to spend a bit more on the frills.

Did the client have any requests that had to be incorporated into the design when the creation of Kadju House was commissioned?

The client made a scrap book he has made over the course of two or three years, consisting of things he liked which he gave me, and that was it.

Tell us a bit about your creative process. Did you have an idea of what the house would look like before you visited the location? if so, how did that picture change depending on the surrounding environment?

No, I always want to visit the site first. Then it’s all about understanding the client’s brief, and also the site and the surrounding environment and the budget and letting this information guide you. The client also put up a 10ft platform so I could get a glimpse of the ocean.

What were the most striking features of its location at Tangalle that you wanted to highlight in your design?

Since the land was situated inland with no ocean view, it was about capturing dramatic views from the first floor.

In what ways can a stay at a boutique hotel enhance a tourist’s experience and attract more visitors?

They provide a more personalised service coupled with privacy, calmness and a peaceful environment. It’s not necessarily about luxury.

How does prioritising sustainability when designing buildings contribute to the development of our country?

Any project no matter how small can benefit the society where it’s located, provided the right decisions are taken, in terms of using products and services.

What can we expect from the industry in the future, in terms of global recognition for local architects?

As long as we practice the kind of architecture that suits this region and climate I believe that the industry will be okay.

How has the emphasis on being ‘green’ changed the industry? How can innovative thinking of this kind be improved among a younger generation of architects?

Green technologies are evolving, transforming the industry globally, from solar roofs to new materials, but most of these are unaffordable to an ordinary person in Sri Lanka. Therefore we have to undertake our own research and development while also looking into ways of using local materials and come up with solutions that are affordable.

What’s your next goal, and how do you plan on using this recognition to take the industry to the next level?

Stay curious and keep learning. Apart from that, nothing changes.