Hybrid of eastern and western ideals in architecture : special reference to Sri Lankan contemporary buildings

Abstract

The way of acting and reaching in the face of a problem differs from person to person. This manner again varies according to the region or locality he lives in the world. The diversity of dealing with these situations is prone to vary, depending on man's way of thinking. Accordingly he adapts himself or thoughts through experience, in order to suit his cultural pattern. When the different cultures are taken into consideration, they can predominantly be divided into two. • Western culture. • Eastern culture. Though there are so many cultures, distinctive from each other, for a convenient study of these , the division shown above is of extreme importance. The scholars from various countries have put forward their theories and opinions regarding these two types. In the initial study of this book, an attempt has been made to study these cultural divisions and also to see the differences between them. The emergence of art and the earth run parallel with the existence of mankind in the world. Its antiquity and universality are closely attached to the man's behavioral pattern The activities of man, in response to the gratification of his time senses, created a greater impact on art and it was further developed being fused with man's desires wishes, thoughts etc. The wide expansion of art in later periods took different forms and branches such as music, drama, movie and the like, and they flourished through the ages under the influence of multi cultures the world. Therefore, arts became a mirror reflecting the thoughts, beliefs and norms of people who were firmly rooted in different cultures. In the same manner, they serve as a medium expressing the cultural virtues of the west and east. Though, at the beginning, art was confined to a particular framework, it started merging with all the cultures, owing to the development of international relations. The fusion may have been a resulting factor from the influence of the prevalent rules or colonialism. The various arts that came into existence in later stages were reflective of the mixture of thoughts from the west and east. Therefore it paved the way for an emergence of a more meaningful art. Comparatively arts that flourished without being limited to a particular frame or pattern were able to present to the world something more meaningful than before. This breaking away from the conventionality resulted from the man's inherent quality of being conscious and curious of his surroundings and fellow beings. One can define architecture as another form of art. Therefore architecture like other branches of art displays its own peculiar features gathered from its relevant cultural construction. In other wards architecture is another medium showing both western and eastern concepts. An approach to the study of architecture is therefore a means of identifying the concepts of the west and east. If the "built environment" is to be suited to a society it has to be constructed in such a way that it conforms to the wishes and thoughts of that society. When something new creeps into a particular society from the world outside, it undergoes gradual transformation along with the beliefs, concepts and attitudes of that society. Therefore its suitability or aptness to another society is determined by its readiness, flexibility and liability to change.