PAYING TRIBUTE

SHOULD BYGONES BE LEFT BYGONES OR RECORDED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS?

It is not easy to commemorate a series of events or dedications when the data available is limited or simply not in existence. But with a team of capable members working hard towards a common goal, we were able to achieve some semblance of it within a limited period.

With an understanding editor in chief and team, this memorable publication is now immortalised in its launch between the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects annual general sessions, and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts Sri Lanka’s (MMCA Sri Lanka) exhibition ‘88 Acres: The Watapuluwa Housing Scheme by Minnette de Silva.’

Minnette’s influence on the profession is profound, going so far as to affect relationships and collaborations. For me, meeting Ulrik Plesner and working with him as a partner was fatefully curated through Minnette’s insistence on having him visit Sri Lanka.

According to Plesner, he and Jørn Utzon had decided to participate in two international design competitions. Utzon went on to win the prize for the design of the Sydney Opera House while Plesner was shortlisted and a runner-up for the design of the Buddha Jayanthi memorial, and made his way to India.

This led to de Silva inviting him to visit Sri Lanka and ultimately work with her, which then led to a chain reaction of architectural influence – with Plesner becoming a key character in the profession while also playing a major role in establishing architectural education in the country, leading to a wave of female Architects taking space in the profession post-Minnette. Architects Vasantha Jacobsen, Hirante Welandawe, Amila de Mel, Prof. Chitra Weddikkara, Darshani Gamage and Nela De Zoysa are among this group.

This often sidelined gender of architects has continued to consistently contribute to the profession and should not be forgotten in their endeavours.

We realised that Minnette had handed over many of her teaching materials to the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) library and are pleased that they’re classified for easy reference today. The lending of teaching slides to MMCA Sri Lanka’s solo exhibition on de Silva is a testimony to knowledge sharing between entities.

Should we concentrate on only one female architect?

I believe that the world has come a long way in looking beyond gender bias in Architecture only compared to during de Silva’s age – but there is still more to be done. In this sense, we also celebrate other personalities who have made significant impacts silently.

This journal is a result of personal research, anecdotes, interviews, browsing cyberspace, and combing through archives and newspapers while resorting to good old networking.

My sincere gratitude goes out to everyone who worked on this mission tirelessly to achieve this standard. Friends, students, Architects, teachers, homeowners, Board of Architectural Publications (BAP) staff, the SLIA secretariat along with the council members and president of SLIA are only a few.

My special thanks to Ven. Vihari and finally, my Chief Editor who encouraged us to the finish line.

Archt. Susil Lamahewa
Chairman
Board of Architectural Publications – Sri Lanka Institute of Architects