SLIA conducts National Conference of Architect 2014

Saturday, 22 February 2014 09:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Conference on Architecture 2014 was held on 20 February at the BMICH in the presence of Chief Guest Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. Conducted for the 32nd consecutive year, The Conference focused on the theme ‘Architects: Envisioning Futures’ where the role of architects and their contribution in the fast developing Sri Lanka was explored in depth.

The eminent panel of the discussion comprised of keynote speaker renowned Archt. Prof Alan Pert from Australia, Archt. Prof. Masaharo Harada from Japan, Archt. Rajesh Renganathan from India, Archt. Ismeth Raheem, Archt. Nihal Bodhinayake and Archt. Prof Luca Molinari. Furthermore, the panel included Archt. Pulasthi Wijekoon and Archt. Ruwani Dharmasiri as well. The Conference consists of three sessions, namely Theoretics of Architecture, Poetics of Architecture and Politics of Architecture that imparted much knowledge and value to the participants while the sessions were followed by presentations by architecture students and thereafter the Panel Discussion. This year’s conference, alongside its architectural community highlighted key drivers such as complex modern technologies, digital environments, market driven economies and global intersections based on the demands that architecture should innovatively engage in the exploration of its future according to the changing circumstances. Further, with its focus set on ‘Envisioning Futures’ the conference was centered on a two-fold matter; on how architecture as a profession must work towards gaining its rightful position in society that channels the opportunity for architecture to perform through public acceptance, and that it must accept and understand its own power and responsibility in facing current challenges and conditions for an achievable future of innovation. The highlights of the Annual Sessions of 2014 were the Inauguration, the Members’ Works and Trade Exhibition, the Annual

General Meeting and the grand finale—the Fellowship Nite. Architect 2014 is organised by SLIA in partnership with strategic sponsor Phoenix FlowGuard, principal sponsor Alumex Ltd., associate sponsors Ranjanas Ceramic, True Value Products Ltd. and Orel Corporation and event sponsors ICC, Asian Paints, Multilac, Lankem Robbialac, Delmege Forsyth, Foster and Reed, St. Anthony’s Hardware and Assalaarachchi Construction while the main media sponsors for the occasion are ITN and Lakhanda.