Eco - sensitive architecture: an examination of the perceptions of different generations of architects

Abstract

The ancient people understood the value of the relationship between man and the environment and that co-existence was therefore protected for the long well being of the mankind. This interdependence increased with the time and architecture acted as a major contributor on modifying the environment. With the passage of time due to various man-made circumstances, this vernacular architectural co-existence began to decrease causing serious environmental disasters, which subjected to numerous deadly diseases. Accordingly, the society became more conscious about the environmental sustainability and ecology, which added another dimension to architecture as Eco-Sensitivity and new theories and concepts evolved on that. When dealing with these issues by the Sri Lanaku contemporary architectural generations, it was the four pioneer architects. Andrew Boyed, Minette de Silva, Ulrik Plesner and Geoffrey Bawa, who initiated giving priority to the environment. Their concept on adapting vernacular ideas to the contemporary architectural practice, descended from generation to generation making it an essential thing to study. With this frame work the study aimed at examining the extent of traditional Eco-sensitivc principles and modem environmental movements manifested in the Sri Lankan architectural practice through generations and oven in the future Initially, vernacular architecture was discussed to understand the contribution of it to the betterment of the environment, at the end deriving common principles. This was followed by the evolutionary process of it, due to the influences on certain periods of the history. The attitudes of the architects on Eco- sensitivity were studied through structured interviews on their work, other than photographic studies, field visits and drawings. The findings of the study showed that there is nothing new in these contemporary theories, but just rediscovering the vernacular ideas, which had long being forgotten. When studying the contribution of eco-sensilivity to the architectural practice among the generations, it was revealed that there was a greater concern to it during the pioneer era. But in the latter generations, due to various issues such as limited plot sizes and new technology, only a limited number of architects showed positive attitude towards eco-sensitive designing, though they had a great talent to achieve it. Even in the student generation, it was not considered as a major point and only few dealt with greater enthusiasm. On the basis of these findings the author justifies that, this study will help the present as well as the future generations, to alter their attitude on Eco- sensitivity for the betterment of the environment. Finally the study suggests that, architects should knowledgeable on the applicability of eco-sensitivity in the building process with the new innovations and the way to use it as a design guideline to create architecture which serves to the environment to the best