Eco friendly architecture : an examination of tropical examples with special references to tourist architecture in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Arising of environmental problem affect on the ecological balance due to the very- very short -sighted activities of mankind. Buildings are one or the main contributors, added in to the natural environment and create an imbalance in natural systems of earth. Architects should have greater responsibility to balance the 'natural" and ' built 'environment wherever possible. As a result when finding solutions through architecture the Eco- friendly architecture has emerged. But this is not a new conception! It cannot be defined without Eco- sensitive, Green. Sustainable and ecologic conceptions. The phenomenon of Eco-friendly architecture has to he considered to suite the time. Initially. the study attempts to examine the Eco- friendly architecture in relation to the notion of tropics. The Green principles are used as criteria to evaluate the study basically. With the recent development of 'Eco-tourism' and exploitation of natural habitats created problems more and more in tropics. Hence, the study examined the Eco- friendly tourist architecture in Sri Lanka. Through the study it was discovered that the contemporary products of tourist architecture not only its Eco- friendly approaches evaluated and appreciated but also pointed out some impacts at the end. Eventually. this has been encouraged and added the knowledge in the field of architecture with the intention of opening the architect eye- his mind eye!