TO MINNETTE WITH LOVE

A SWANSONG LONG OVERDUE

A simple web search consisting of the key words ‘female,’ ‘architect’ and ‘Sri Lanka’ will immediately flood your page with references and articles related to Minnette de Silva. Although this seems quite quantitative and plentiful in commendation, in actuality, de Silva’s contributions and life works are being lauded only of recent.

Following closely on the heels of the exhibition ‘88 Acres: The Watapuluwa Housing Scheme by Minnette de Silva’ by the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts Sri Lanka comes a refreshing public engagement in the first female Architect of Sri Lanka. Born in a period of conservatism and limitation, it is with renewed interest that we look into commemorating her being not simply an Architect but a personality that continues to influence our profession and design ethos.

Minnette was not simply an Architect but had a passion for writing – which is exemplified in the prominent role she played in setting up MARG magazine, along with her sister Anil and Mulk Raj Anand in 1946. From this point onwards, de Silva made it a point to keep herself on the world centre stage at the International Congresses of Modern Architecture (Congrès Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne or CIAM) as an intellectual, standing shoulder to shoulder with other greats such as Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Cornelis Van Eesteren and Ernesto Roger – not simply an accompanying spouse but a fellow luminary. Her petite figu­re draped in a sari only slightly concealed the larger-than-life persona­lity behind it.

As females within a profession largely dominated by men, we often find ourselves having to go the extra mile in order to stand out and it is time the field showed appreciation to the maven who ran so we could walk.

This issue serves as a commemorative edition – both retrospective and prospective – where we look back to the past in observation of her work, life and decisions, while also acknowledging just how far her presence has cemented itself into the present context and future.

The act of coining the term ‘critical regionalism’ or ‘regional modernism’ was a landmark action by Minnette, and one that continues to serve as the informal identity of Sri Lankan Architecture while also appearing in notable publications by Frampton and Tzonis. As such, this issue shines the spotlight on contemporary current female architects, personalities and artistes, as well as those who had the opportunity to work alongside de Silva. We unearth layers of her personality as well as design philosophy but Minnette continues to maintain her enigmatic presence – there is yet more out there.

Today’s challenges to the female architect still remain valid – in balancing a career along with a family, breaking stereotypes, and unashamedly standing up amidst criticism and judgement.

Greats and legends are often deified to the point of losing all aspects of humanness with no room to consider their errors or mistakes. Nonetheless, the research within seeks to shine a light on all facets including her faults and acquired personality – only so that future generations can learn and uphold similar standards themselves while being able to relate to her person.

Leading this edition has been an emotional and inspiring period, and I am fully aware of the work that still lies ahead in this journey we have undertaken as a team. My sincere and heartfelt thanks to my Co-Editor and Chairman of the Board of Architectural Publications (BAP) Architect Susil Lamahewa and the editorial team for their genuine passion, and a special thanks to Architect Sumudu Athukorala, Chief Curator Sharmini Pereira, Architect Shobha Seneviratne and the staff of the BAP – SLIA for their immense part in the plan, Whilst not forgetting Minnette de Silva herself, along with Arct. Prof. Ashely de Vos and Susil Siriwardene in their colletive feat to archive and commemorate her through her namesake publication “The Life and Work of an Asian Woman Architect, Vol. 1.”

Archt. Shahdia Jamaldeen
Editor
2023/24

I have stood on a mountain of no’s for one yes

B.Smith