Chamathka Gunawardena - MSc Architecture - Year 02 - 2022

I completed my Masters degree in Architecture in June 2022 with a merit award This portfolio contains a selection of work from my first and second year projects.

I’m a hardworking, motivated and eager to learn person who is passionate about technical detailing and developing management skills I will strike to complete a task to the best of my ability. I’m confident and can interact well with people I enjoy the planning and execution of all phases of the construction process.

My design aspiration over the years as an architecture graduate is to focus on public and people oriented architecture

ABOUT ME

CONTENT

Resume 01

MSc Year 02 Semester 02 03

Digana Peoples Centre

MSc Year 02 Semester 01 15

Project name MSc Year 01 Semester 02 29

Adaptive Reuse Library & Lounge

MSc Year 01 Semester 01 37

Housing for the diverse

SEP 2020 – JUN 2022

MSc in Architecture

Merit

SLIIT School of Architecture in affiliation with Liverpool John Moores University

FEB 2017 – OCT 2019 BSc in Architecture

Second Lower

SLIIT School of Architecture in affiliation with Liverpool John Moores University

WORK EXPERIENCE

SEP 2019 – SEP 2020 Architectural Apprentice the CONTEMPORARY DESIGN STUDIO PVT LTD

• Was involved in the conceptual tasks of model development and drawings for a proposed apartment complex

• Hotel and Residential interior projects were handled at the capacity of the project leader where close collaboration with clients, suppliers, and builders was practiced

• Was involved in the document preparation processes from cost estimating, tender procedures, contract documentation stage to construction & handing over of the project.

DIGANA PEOPLES CENTRE

A Place Towards Togetherness

Project type Mixed Use

Site Location

Duration

Kandy

PROJECT SUMMARY

This thesis design project was developed from the urban design project proposed at Digana, Kandy, Sri Lanka. The project demonstrate the research, origination and resolution of the end part of this proposal in a gradual manner which manifest a development of a public building that encourages inclusivity and diversity

The research led to a vibrant, landmark type of community based public building inclusive of a Cultural and Education zone with recreational activities as an attempt to educate, empower and create an identity for the people of Digana towards social, cultural, and economical empowerment as a mitigation for the racial conflicts within the community through an intervention with an architectural solution

The first dwellers in this study area were the Tamil chetties owning agricultural land In the 1980’s with the Accelerated Mahaweli Project, around 2000 displaced families were resettled in this area. Also, with the commencement of the Victoria Dam Project both local and foreign professionals along with their families moved into this area. At present, majority of the population in the Digana township are migrant settlers. These incidents that led to the settlement of the present people of Digana had made a drastic change with a diverse community

The social structure changed significantly because of the resettlements, resulting in a multi cultural and multi ethnic society. A new “Cultural system” was introduced to the social structure of Digana. As per the initial urban design proposal in the 80’s, the spaces that were meant to allow interaction, bonding and creating an identity for the people of Digana have been overlooked. Such a diverse population, coming in from different areas have not been given an opportunity to feel the sense of “community”

There are no places or opportunities available for people of Digana to interact and grow as a community. The only functioning community gathering areas in Digana are its religious places. So, there’s a clear segregation of the different religions and cultures.

In the recent past there have been recorded cases of racial violence originating from Digana.

There is a significant projected population growth in the Digana area Also, with the proposed Urban Design there is a further expected increase in the migrants into this area A diverse population with its multi ethnic/ multireligious social groups. Therefore, a Community Centre that caters to the need for a public space for the people of Digana to interact, create harmony within the social construct and create a sense of belongingness and build community spirit that is needed for the achievement of social, economic, and cultural development of a community

Location of the Site

•Site located in the residential context

•Connectivity to the religious institutions of Digana

•Brownfield site

•Adjacent to the commercial zones

•Availability of a community ground close by

Rear Elevation

Section through ramped down entrance atrium

Section through learning zone

Section through auditorium

Façade Detail

URBAN REGENARATION OF DIGANA

THE EASTERN COMMERCIAL HUB

Project type Urban Design

Site

Duration

Software

PROJECT SUMMARY

The group Urban Design project leads to the individual thesis project implemented in Digana, a suburban town in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This study analyses the selected study area in understanding the potentialities of a place and its relationship with theoretical ideas professed through an urban design in an urban context

It focuses on the background of the study area; its historical, social, and architectural composition, analysis of its present condition, and urban design methods and design tools that have influenced Digana as an urban context.

Digana is a suburban town located in Kandy district, the central province of Sri Lanka.

Located at the center of the A26 highway, Digana Township connects Kandy with Eastern Sri Lanka demarcating the entrance to the Kandy city as its eastern gateway

Through critical analysis and argument, the study leads to a sketch urban design in the process of realizing a comprehensive urban design proposal in the selected context.

The neglected urban planning of Digana has disconnected the development link of the area, despite it being the key economic hub to these towns. As a result, urban regeneration in the town would result in competitive and comprehensive growth in the eastern Kandy region

Although the township was planned the present building footprint indicates the haphazard development followed in the township To understand the role of Digana for its users , the analysis was based on Kevin Lynch's five elements of an urban design; path, edge, district, node, and landmarks.

The urban design area was selected with reference composition existing conditions where the selected site has the most potential to be developed than in other areas

A cost appraisal was done at the end of the study, discussing the feasible nature of the proposed Urban Design project and the financial status of the expenditure and income generated through the proposal.

Location

TheConceptualApproach

PROBLEMIDENTIFICATION

Newly infused “cultural system” was over dominatedbythepeople

Developed as a 'shelter‘ Town Lostidentity Townshipdidnotallowittochange withtime

SignificanceofDigana deteriorated.

Sprawled the neighboringtowns

From The Eastern

Vision

Hub”

create an

ESTABLISH the CONNECTIVITY of Digana with Kandy

Walkability

HIGHLIGHT Digana’s Role as a VIBRANT Township in the eastern Kandy

REGENERATE & UPLIFT

socio economical realm of its dwellers and its visitors through a self sustaining township

Connectivity Mixed-use And Diversity

Quality Architecture And Urban Design

Sustainability

QUALITY OF LIFE

CONSERVATION PROJECT LIBRARY & LOUNGE

Project type Adaptive Reuse

Site Location

Duration

Software

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Old Administrative Building of the National Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka is a valuable heritage building. In this project, it is expected to formulate and apply a conservation design strategy to conserve this building to preserve and further enhance its heritage value The National Hospital of Sri Lanka is located at the centre of the commercial capital The NHSL being the most prominent hospital in Sri Lanka its premises are spread through a large area. The hospital layout includes buildings that render health services to the public and quarters to medical staff. It is also conveniently located with easy access to public transportation. The Old Administration building is surrounded by many prominent other buildings related to the medical service

This building is connected to the rest of the hospital buildings through a prominent symmetric axis which is a covered walkway. The building is surrounded by buildings that have been poorly planned which gravely impacts the circulation and aesthetic value of the hospital premises. The building is visibly decaying due to natural and external factors in addition to the negligence in maintaining the building The present state calls for immediate conservation actions to protect this architecturally and heritage wise valuable building

The project objective of this study was for the building to be transformed into a functional and practical space while conserving the historically valuable building while honouring its architecture.

There is an urgent need for a space where the patients, doctors and visitor can detach themselves from the busy and hectic hospital surroundings Currently there are no waiting or lounge areas for visitors and patients The cafeterias available at hospital premises are under facilitated and is in an unplanned manner. The doctors lack a comfortable relaxing space to detach themselves from the hospital atmosphere. The library that was at this building was relocated to an insignificant space that has reduced the people seeking to use it.

This building previously accommodated the functioning of an extension of the medical college library Even at present this building has the history and knowledge among the community that it housed a library.

The familiarity of this building functioning as a library would prevent the community from alienating the newly proposed function.

Even at present, this architecturally and historically building caters to the needs of medical professionals and day visiting patients Thus, making this a suitable building to be utilized for a “common gathering space” as it is currently familiar to the intended users

Decay

Front Elevation

Existing Ground Floor Plan with proposed demolitions and additions to accommodate the new function

Existing First Floor Plan with proposed demolitions and additions to accommodate the new function

Proposed Ground Floor Plan

Proposed First Floor Plan

Section BB

Section AA

HOUSING FOR THE DIVERSE

Project type Community Housing

Site

PROJECT SUMMARY

The site is located at Slave Island, in the center of the commercial capital in Sri Lanka. The immediate context of the site at present are high scale development projects that cater to the high income earners The high value of the land in this area has had a negative impact on the slum dwellers as they have been threatened by the uncertainty of their house ownership

Majority and earlier settlers as recorded in history in this area are the Malays. This community is a rich mix of minorities. They have developed their own way of life to peacefully coexist with each other.

At present, Slave Island is highly congested with people coming in for work, commercial activities, better schools and other advantages that an urban city can provide for its people However, people lack basic floor area per person, high poverty, uncertainty of housing due to the rapid urbanization.

The residents in this area are suffering from poverty with less job opportunities and a low scope for progress in the future The present zoning of the proposed site area has completely isolated this community from the rest of the immediate context The community at the proposed site has been isolated and left behind from the rapid urban development in the area.

The development of the design aims to connect the different categories of users identified at the proposed site. Through this the problems or needs of the users can be mitigated as they will be able to indirectly support each other to achieve upliftment.

The design aims to uplift of its users through the introduction of these diverse people to the proposed design Thus, the design concept is “Upliftment through diversity”

The design is developed with the design intention to increase interaction between the users or passersby to increase opportunities to interact and influence each other to progress towards upliftment. The following public areas have been integrated into the design to increase the visitors that come into the site

1. Street vendors hub

2. Pop up stall area

3. Co working spaces

4. Library and study space

A connection between these 3 user types that frequent the micro context can benefit from each other to better their lives

The proposed site is located in between a main road and two byroads.

1. Akbar Street

2. Church Street

3. Wekanda Mawatha

Proposed Environmental Strategies

roofs

Barriers

path and parking racks

harvesting

panels

ventilation

of waste

Daylighting

brick envelope

Green Deck Detail

Window Section Detail

Detail Wall Section

Typical Detail of Handrail Section

Typical Unit Flooring Section

Front Elevation