SPECIALIST STUDY

ANALYTICAL STUDY ON TROPICAL MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN SRI LANKA AND DEFINING FACTORS OF ITS EVOLUTION

BRIEF

Even though renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa is considered as the principal force behind tropical modern architecture in Sri Lanka, it’s not an indigenous style to our country. The use of modern architectural concepts mixed with traditional architectural concepts while responding to the culture, context, and environment can be recognized as the characteristics of Sri Lankan Tropical Modern architecture. However, more than half a century later, the origination of Bawa’s concept and the style has evolved over time. Hence, tropical modern architecture has become a perfect solution for the nature of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankans and it is important to explore the reasons behind its evolution and how it has affected Sri Lankan architecture. Therefore, the main objective of this dissertation is to identify, document, and explore the evolution of the design language Tropical Modernism in Sri Lanka and its affected factors through reviewing and analyzing its history and numerous built manifestations from the pioneers to its contemporaries.

The genesis of tropical modern architecture

Tropical modern architecture originated as a result of spreading the western architectural movements to tropical countries. In the 1940s and 1950s, English architect Maxwell Fry was a pioneer of the Modern Movement in British architecture who worked in West Africa which is then a part of the British Empire with his wife, architect Jane Drew. At that time, African villagers were using annually-renewed mud and thatch for construction and it was not suited to the contemporary conditions. Therefore they wanted to introduce new materials to the West African region. In this case, they had to experience the difficulty of protecting buildings from the sun, heat gain, humidity, and heavy horizontal rain for the first time. During the process of solving those problems, they invented a series of solutions, which have later become the standards for buildings in tropical countries. As a result of this, they invented a new architectural style that responded to tropical climate conditions.

Affects of vernacular and colonial architecture on contemporary architecture

When considering Sri Lanka, in the early twentieth century of Ceylon most of the remarkable public buildings and mansions were done by foreign architects with the influence of Victorian eclecticism. However, the first generation of architects in the post-independence era was inspired by colonial architecture and represented their version of both colonial and Eastern values.

With the influence of traditional architectural elements such as Courtyard houses, roadside verandahs, grain storage structures, and village temples, they established a unique Sri Lankan architectural vocabulary. The appropriation of these traditional forms in terms of space, form, material, and technology was driven by a period of import replacement, where designers were forced to find local solutions.

However, the shortcomings of tropical vernacular architecture and users' desire to improve the quality of life led to the introduction of modern architecture as a solution to its weaknesses and lack of aesthetics.

Analysis 01 - Designers

When considering Sri Lanka, numerous architects have been involved in the process of establishing tropical modern architecture which is unique to Sri Lankan culture. Therefore, it’s important to explore the reasons and inspirations behind their enthusiasm to follow the design language.

Analysis 02 - Buildings

To explore the present condition and how Sri Lankan tropical modern architecture has got there, it’s important to analyze information on several buildings which have been designed and built according to tropical modern principles. Also, this analysis should have been done considering buildings from different periods and different generations of architects to recognize how the design language has been linked together from the first generational tropical modernists to the present.

CONCLUSION

When considering contemporary tropical modern buildings in Sri Lanka, there are significant differences in architectural elements and features, spaces and layouts, structure, and material usage compared to the tropical modern buildings done in the past. The design language has evolved over the years to suit the present lifestyle of people.

When considering 1980s to early 2000s, Bawa’s closest associates Anura Ratnavibhushana and C. Anjalendran display a lot of similarities to their mentor’s design language. Even though both architects have used similar elements such as courtyards, shallow pools, wooden shuttered openings, high plinths, lattice rain shades, Ratnavibhushana has used a variety of modern materials and finishes to suit the modern lifestyles of people while emphasizing traditional influence. C. Anjalendrans' designs has based on simple directness and modern spirit which has inspired from day to day and vernacular things rather than monumental fundamentals.

Most of tropical modern buildings built in 2000s contain a variety of modern materials, expensive finishes, fittings and a combination of traditional elements, furniture and modern architectural components. Architect Vinod Jayasinghe and Channa Daswatte have modestly used them considering the contemporary lifestyles of people.

According to the experts who have been interviewed, Globalization, the arrival of new technologies, building techniques, new materials, climate changes due to global warming, and changes in the lifestyles of people can be extracted as some common factors which have influenced the evolution of Sri Lankan tropical modernism.

Hence this evolution is a continuous phenomenon, these characteristics of contemporary tropical modernism can be changed with the influence of various factors such as the need of the society, political concentrations, and new innovations.