New architecture in Kandy: study of the use of essential characteristics in new development

Abstract

Aesthetic intention and the creation of better surroundings for life are the two permanent characteristics of architecture. These aspects emerged from any significant attempt to explain the city as the human creation. But because architecture gives concrete form to society and is intimately connected with it and with nature give the basis for an empirical study of the city as it has evolved from the earliest settlements. With time, city grows upon itself it acquires of its constructions its original themes persist but at the same time it modifies and renders these themes of its own development. Cities review as much about time as about place. Their shape and appearance are derived from history as well as their present functions, and to some extent from their future development. It is now almost everywhere accepted that an eagerness to enjoy the advantages of new technologies has often resulted in the destruction of valuable attributes of society that have evolved over centuries and which ones cannot be restored. Historical areas progressively coming under threat of new development. But history has now a high profile in people's life. Layers upon layers of history and tradition can be identified in older places, each with its own story to tell. Such surroundings serves as an inspiration to man's destination thus creating a sense of place... and giving an identity to where he belongs. Beyond these softer benefits, investing historical areas has hard benefits too. Refurbished historical building can act as a trigger fir urban regeneration by providing confident that an areas quality of life will improve. It can increase the attractiveness of a location and thus support inward investment strategies. An often-historic preservation of building works best when it combines' old with new' But the combination of old with new often represented as Historicism vs. Modernism, that is, historical style vs. ugly and impractical glass boxes, has created an unfriendly and unpleasant environment As Norman Foster (1993) said "The successful design of new buildings in historical context seems to be one of the greatest challenges for the architects of our age" Sadly all to often in the past the appearance of historic areas and the settings of important buildings have been marred by new development, instead of being enhanced with it.