Institutional-Repository, University of Moratuwa
Welcome to the University of Moratuwa Digital Repository, which houses postgraduate theses and dissertations, research articles presented at conferences by faculties and departments, university-published journal articles and research publications authored by academic staff. This online repository stores, preserves and distributes the University's scholarly work. This service allows University members to share their research with a larger audience.
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Recent Submissions
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Impact of building morphology on energy efficiency in developing countries: a study of office buildings in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Marasinghe, SN; Kulatunga, U; Wijewickrama, MKCS
The design phase of a building plays a significant role in implementing energy-efficient practices. This study explores how building morphology factors influence the energy efficiency of office buildings in Sri Lanka, focusing both on embodied and operational energy. This study was steered via a qualitative approach, conducting a series of expert interviews with professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction. This study highlights the importance of adopting a morphologically sensitive design approach in the early design stages of office buildings. It was found that key morphological factors such as building shape, size, height, storey height, circulation space, wall-to-floor ratio, building orientation, and the envelope were critical to energy performance in office buildings. The study highlights that beyond selecting energy-efficient equipment or adopting renewable technologies, a paradigm shift towards considering energy efficiency through design philosophy could help yield better results in making energy-efficient buildings in the future. This study contributes new knowledge by being the first to explore how design morphology affects building energy performance, within a developing tropical context like Sri Lanka. Finally, it offers a new interpretation of the traditional saying “form follows function”, arguing that form should not only follow function, but also that “form follows energy”.
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Strategies and best practices for effective collaboration in integrating sustainable practices in renovation projects
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Jathurshan, R; Waidyasekara, KGAS
In recent years, the construction industry has been closely focusing on integrating sustainable practices into renovation projects. The successful implementation of sustainable renovation practices is commonly interconnected with strong engagement among stakeholders. However, the implementation of sustainable renovation practices is still in its early stages in Sri Lanka; hence, integrated strategies are required for successful project completion. The research mainly focused on identifying the strategies and best practices that support strong collaboration when integrating sustainability into renovation projects. A qualitative approach was used, which included a literature review as well as semi-structured interviews with twelve construction professionals who had experience with renovation projects. Furthermore, the interview responses were analysed using manual content analysis, which expressed the importance of obtaining locally available materials, integrating waste management practices, promoting biophilic design, and implementing digital technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM). Moreover, the research highlights the necessity of improving quality control systems, client education, skill development, and early stakeholder involvement. This study provides significant contributions to the body of knowledge on sustainable renovation in Sri Lanka and suggests practical implications for industry professionals and policymakers that support best practices while encouraging effective collaboration in integrating sustainability into renovation projects.
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Biophilic architecture for the salutogenic well-being of elders: a focus on elderly care centre design
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Ariyawansa, DN; Perera, NGR
The condition of the built environment acts as a determining factor in the health of its occupants. Elders as a user category benefit from having a built environment that promotes well-being. Generally, responses formulated within the built environment focus on the physical health of elders. This study goes beyond that limitation and considers the complex cognitive and psychological needs of elders residing in Elderly Care Centre facilities. Though the application of the theory of Salutogenesis and Biophilic Architecture characteristics in the design of Elderly Care Centres has been researched independently, studies that look into the combined application of both aspects and their impact are a research gap that is explored in this study. It utilises a mixed-method approach, focusing on a selected case study, an Elderly Care Centre in a suburban area of Sri Lanka. Data is gathered through questionnaire surveys, on-site interviews, and activity mapping to evaluate existing salutogenic conditions. Computational three-dimensional models are then generated to virtually develop the existing spaces and re-evaluate the subjective salutogenic experiences of elders. Findings of the research elaborate on how the application of biophilic architecture attributes has impacted Elders’ salutogenic health domains and their balance. The framework, developed with consideration for stakeholder inputs, consists of architectural implications useful for future design processes.
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A Study on visual evidence and community insights into reef degradation: a case study on Moragalla coastal zone, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Nipunika, S; Denipitiya, D
The world is losing its coral reefs and this is posing a threat to its capacity to sustain biodiversity, raise the protection of coastal regions as well as sustaining the community that relies on coral reefs. Coral reef systems are in the process of continuous decline in the Beruwala- Moragalla coastal area in Sri Lanka which has been worsened by human activities like pollution and coral mining. This loss does not only pose a threat to the ecological resilience, but also to livelihoods of the local citizens. The current paper will give a detailed account of the present-day state of the environment of the Reef under study, records the observable evidence of degradation, and unites the community attitudes, experiences, and knowledge of such an environmental transformation. The methodology of this qualitative case study involved a lot of photographic documentation, participatory mapping and semi-structured interviews with the different stakeholders. The data were analysed using content and thematic analysis with the support of to record spatial vulnerability and local ecological knowledge. The Moragalla Reef is in a very poor condition and is characterized by a mass coral death, algal bloom and a lot of sedimentation. These observations are supported by community accounts which demonstrate the extreme destabilization of livelihoods through disruption of fish stocks and threats of insecurity due to the disappearance of natural coastal defences. The results noted herein demonstrate the necessity to come up with participatory and integrated coastal management approaches, which encompasses pollution reduction, habitat restoration and community-based management to guarantee the long-term ecological and social sustainability of this significant coastline.
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Ecological biomimetic design of coastal green infrastructure: evaluating habitat complexity in econcrete modules for resilient reef patches
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Madhusanad, RS
Coastal ecosystems face escalating threats from climate change and urbanization, necessitating green infrastructure that balances structural resilience with ecological biomimetic design. This study investigates the habitat complexity of seven ECOncrete® (Concrete Ecological Solutions) coastal protection modules, designed as building units for reef patches, to enhance biodiversity and coastal resilience. A semi-quantitative framework combined visual scoring by 40 multidisciplinary assessors (marine ecologists, engineers, landscape architects) with quantitative volumetric analysis. Six ecological features surface topology, edge complexity, internal void architecture, vertical complexity, shelter provision, and organic form factor were scored, and habitat potential ratios (void-to-solid volume) were calculated. Findings reveal Classic Tidal Pools and Bio Active Pocket as top performers, with high visual scores (89.0, 71.7) and ratios (0.760, 1.540), while Sea Wall Panels and Bio Active Standard scored lowest. Ranking mismatches highlight the interplay between perceptual and geometric metrics, informing biomimetic design optimization. The study underscores the need for void-rich, nature-inspired modules to foster inclusive, resilient coastal spaces that support marine biodiversity, including enhanced settlement and refuge for coastal species such as algae, invertebrates, and fish. Future work should validate findings through field observations.