The Geoffrey Bawa Trust has shortlisted 11 entries for the ‘Geoffrey Bawa Award for Excellence in Architecture,’ the fourth cycle of triennial awards hosted by the Trust.
A spokesperson for the Trust said, “We feel it has contributed in no small way to enhance contemporary architecture in Sri Lanka. What distinguishes our awards is that the shortlisted projects are visited by the judges, as well as a technical team, and does not depend merely on images. The Geoffrey Bawa Trust celebrates the shortlist as well as the awards.”
This year’s judges include distinguished Singaporean architect Mok Wei Wei, Ward Beling (of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust), D.H. Wijewardene (President elect, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects), Sharmini Perera of Raking Leaves; the founder of the Sri Lanka Archives for art, architecture and design, located in Jaffna.
The Trust received 65 submissions, through the efforts of C. Anjalendran, a friend of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust. Anjalendran persuaded many of the participants to make submissions.
The judges felt that most of the submitted projects show a high calibre of architecture. Having deliberated in January, the judges visited 15 projects, of which 11 have been shortlisted.
“Also, for the first time, we have two unexpected projects which have been shortlisted. One by a non- architect who is Sri Lankan and the other by a foreign architect. This suggests that Sri Lankan architecture has attained a level of maturity of design, where non-professional Sri Lankans are also able to participate in this prestigious project,” the press release added.
The judges will make their final deliberations, and select the winner who will be presented with the prestigious Geoffrey Bawa Award for Excellence in Architecture on July 23. The judges have made the following observation on the projects; “After an intensive short-listing process, we are pleased to announce 11 outstanding projects, 6 of which are located outside Colombo, establishing the extent to which contemporary architecture goes beyond the capital.
This year’s submissions were all of notable merit and competition was high. What connects the 11 shortlisted projects is not easy to classify but if they have anything in common it would be that they all question in some way or other what we come to expect when we think of contemporary architecture in the country.
To this end, the introduction of categories by the judges was introduced this year in response to the fact that many of our assumptions about contemporary Sri Lankan architecture are in a stage of flux. While hotels and private residencies have developed rich and unique typologies, helping to establish contemporary architecture not only in the country but internationally, they have also dominated what we understand contemporary architecture to be.
As judges, we asked if it was possible, or indeed fair, to compare a hotel with a training center or a car maintenance facility in terms of their respective architectural briefs, functionality, form and of course budgets. We therefore took a decision to introduce categories in order to recognize architectural projects that might not otherwise make it to a shortlist, which in turn allowed for comparisons to be made on more equitable terms without compromising on a standard of excellence.
It was not our aim to seek out a broader definition of architecture, it was the projects that were put in front of us that compelled us to think out of the box. In this year’s shortlist, we are also pleased to announce the first project in the history of the prize by a non-architect which the judges believed challenged the very question of practice and what qualifies an architect to be an architect today.
Our final shortlist was made on the basis of recognising the fact that architecture in Sri Lanka is changing with the times, notably bringing with it new clients and social and welfare agendas along with the questions of sustainable or green architecture. Changes, we believe that need to be recognised and which the Geoffrey Bawa Award for Excellence in Architecture makes possible”.
The shortlisted projects are (in order of submission):
1) Samadhi Nature Resort, Narampanawa, (2014); by W.C. Jayasinghe
2) Citizens Development Business Finance PLC Bank and Corporate Office, Colombo 10 (2015); by Archt. Shayan Kumaradas
3) Olu Beach Villa, Ambalangoda (2013); by Michael Danne Bolier
4) Auditorium & Accommodation Chinmaya Mission, Ramboda (2014); by Archt. Yudish Ganesen
5) Mihila Green Factory, Agalawatte (2008); by Archt. Tilak Samarawickrama
6) The Urban Haven- Renovation & Addition to Carlton Pre-School, Colombo 10 (2014); by Archt. Ranga Dayasena
7) Sterling Aftercare Center, Galle (2016); by Archt. Thusara Waidyasekera
8) Studio Dwelling, Rajagiriya (2015); by Archt. Palinda Kannangara
9) Family Retreat, Malabe (2014); by Archt. Palinda Kannangara
10) Spa at Santani, Kandy (2015); by Archt. Thisara Thanapathy
11) Kaithady District Vocational Training Center, Jaffna (2015); by Archt. Chinthaka Wickramage & Nileeka Senerath.