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Built-Environment Sri Lanka
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ISSN (Print) 1391-5983
Published by Sri Lanka Journals Online

[71 journals]

Creating a quality culture - a need in the new millennium
- Abstract: No abstract available Published on 2016-07-29 00:00:00
Teaching architecture as an intervention in thinking: the Moratuwa
experiment revisited
- Abstract: Apart from Architecture itself, architecture students learn many other things during their course of studies, both factual and otherwise. This is indeed unique since most other disciplines may not be able to claim the same about their courses of study. Obviously, as a student, one may acquire knowledge unrelated to the subjects they study in the process of maturity and growing up in every discipline, but most academics would not necessarily consider it a great achievement that their students have learned nothing in their discipline but other things during the course of study. In one year of studies in architecture at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka in fact, quite the contrary was happening and the students took great pride that they are not leaning architecture perse, at least in one year of their 6 year course. A recent research uncovered that the students believe they learned a great deal of 'thinking' but very little in architecture. This paper examines a student evaluation of the teaching / learning practice that prevailed in the 5m year studio in 1998 at the Department of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa, which is a part of a programme known as the Moratuwa Experiment and discusses its impact upon the students' thinking. Published on 2016-07-29 00:00:00
Colour as an agent for low energy design: a field experiment implemented
in Sri Lanka
- Abstract: The potential of incorporating theoretically-established cool colours within the interiors of a hot humid tropical climate – as an alternative strategy for energy conservation – was tested by this preliminary field investigation with reference to a garment factory in Panadura, Sri Lanka; ventilated using ceiling fans to achieve thermal comfort. It was hypothetically assumed that cool colours can psychologically induce a relatively cool thermal perception than the real thermal condition within inhabitants, leading to a reduction of the operational speed of ceiling fans, and thereby resulting in a reduction of cooling costs. The research examined the impacts of neutral (white), warm (red) and cool (blue) colours on the indoor thermal perception of factory workers by changing the colour of the internal walls of a selected work space by the use of coloured fabric. Fan speed in five progressive levels (L1-L5), corresponding to elevating levels of power consumption, was manipulated within 10 minute intervals until the subjects reached the thermally comfortable level. The study revealed a correlation between the interior colour and the preferred fan speed. 63.63% of workers were found to achieve their perceived thermal comfort with the maximum fan speed L5 in the controled white space while, 31.81 % and 4.5 % preferred L3 and L4 respectively. A majority of the workers (86.36 %) achieved comfort with L5 when exposed to colour red, demanding high energy consumption, while 13.63 % preferred a moderate speed (L3). When exposed to blue, 63.63 % were satisfied with L5, while 9%, 13.63% and 13.63% perceived thermal comfort in L4, L3 and L2 respectively. Blue was revealed to be the most supportive colour in achieving perceived thermal comfort at a comparatively lesser level of energy consumption. Incorporating colour blue in interiors was found to be favorable and red non-favorable for energy conservation in a hot humid tropical climate. Published on 2019-04-30 00:00:00
Use of Façadism in Divided-Walled Nicosia, Cyprus
- Abstract: Nicosia, the last divided European capital has been dealing with the scars of conflict since its permanent division in 1974. This division has had a detrimental impact on the historic part of the city, currently split half between the Greek Cfacadypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. This paper offers a critical examination of the use of façadism as an urban regeneration and heritage conservation approach, and contributes to a stronger understanding of the impact of conflict as well as division in the management of walled Nicosia’s heritage. The literature review reflects on existing theory and research on the topics of heritage conservation and heritage authenticity, while a historical overview of the Cyprus conflict aims to set the ground for the analysis of the introduced data. In doing so, the paper focuses on selected areas where the use of façadism has been observed, and concludes by demonstrating that the rehabilitation of the historic city varies, with selective heritage management due to conflict and division continuing to reflect on the built environment of the city. Published on 2019-04-30 00:00:00
Colour associated thermal impacts: manifestation and contributing factors
with reference to red and blue
- Abstract: Theory of colour – a long-established tradition of artists – differentiates between the impacts of warm and cool colours respectfully on human beings. The lack of scientific and statistically substantiated knowledge on aforesaid colour associated thermal perception (CTP) deems to hinder its optimum integration in creating responsive built environments. This investigation seeks scientific explanation on manifestation and contributing factors of CTP with reference to a warm colour (red-RTP) and a cool colour (blue-BTP). The hypothesised potentials of CTP to manifest as a psychological response, a biological response, a factor altering core body temperature or as an actual thermal sensation caused via the human skin (due to heat radiation emitted by coloured surfaces) were tested. A crossover experiment was executed with a sample of healthy male undergraduates (n=111) selected via stratified simple random sampling (age 19 – 30), under controlled laboratory conditions. Substantiating colour theory, subjects demonstrated a propensity to perceive red as warm/hot (64.2%) and blue as cool/cold (59.3%). As revealed by logistic regression, CTP neither manifests due to a fluctuation in core body temperature nor as an actual thermal sensation. It is a psychological response characterised by common as well as colour-specific factors. Accordingly, thermal impacts of colour could be integrated in indoor environments to psychologically manipulate the perceived thermal environment against the real thermal condition to achieve the desirable thermal milieu. This novel knowledge may provide insights for Architects, interior designers, relevant authorities and organisations to develop strategies incorporating thermal impacts of colour to achieve low-energy design. Published on 2019-04-30 00:00:00
Revitalizing cultural heritage: conservation of Merewether tower and its
impact on urban morphology
- Abstract: 19th century Karachi was home to the British occupiers and is therefore, rich in Victorian era architecture. Although most of these buildings are in a bad shape, the Pakistani government is working hard to preserve them. Although the pace of conservation is slow, the mere fact that the work is on going alone is relieving. One such building in consideration in Karachi is the Merewether Tower; a significant cultural heritage structure indeed. Even though this iconic structure is one of the few that are in a rather good condition, some sources claim that from the inside, it is slowly getting degraded. Once the gateway to the city, it has been forgotten by many although its name is renowned. The objective of this research is to study and analyze the existing conditions of the tower as well as its surroundings, and assess how it can be revitalized in order to improve the morphology of the region. This paper also analyzes how conservation of a cultural heritage structure can enhance the urban character of a given place, and how it can link up with the communities that in turn, interact with it. The research methodologies adopted are qualitative; case studies, literature review, field research and interviews from stakeholders. This research attempts to develop a methodology for revitalization and enhancement of urban cultural heritage. The research concludes that development and revitalization of Merewether Tower is essential not only in a beautification and heritage perspective, but also for the commercial development in the locality. A set of immediate improvements are expected to appear in the shortrun after redevelopment, following the intended long-run benefits. Therefore, it is not merely a suggestion but a must for the city. The government needs to be sincere, and the communities and stakeholder need to cooperate for revitalization of this heritage landmark. Published on 2019-04-30 00:00:00
Editorial
- Abstract: No abstract available Published on 2019-02-28 00:00:00
An analysis of the changing character of an urban street: a case study of
the Galle road, Colombo
- Abstract: Analyses of the perceptible character of an environment are often vague and implicit. In urban contexts, visual elements are recognized as key attributes of the environmental character. This paper is based on a research study that investigated the environmental character within an explicit conceptual framework, which included several visual as well as nonvisual attributes. People's interactions with the environment, by means of various activities and settings, contribute significantly to the character of an urban space. Non-visual sensory elements, such as smell or sound, also contribute largely to the perception and evaluation of the ambience of an urban environment. Culture is the overarching concept and it plays an important role in the type of activity, the choice of settings, and the presence/absence of multi-sensory elements. Taking Galle Road, Colombo, a key urban street in Colombo and an example of the Sri Lankan urban cultural landscape, the present study considered activity systems, systems of settings, and multi-sensory elements as key attributes of the perceptible character. It focused specifically on a comparison of how the character changes al different points along the street, from the Lotus Road intersection at Galle Face to the Dehiwela Bridge. The methodology involved unobtrusive participant observations, place-centered behavioral mapping, systematic field notes, and photographic documentation. The findings showed that there are seven distinct sections of Galle Road that display different characters. Furthermore, these different sections, distinguished on" the basis of how people use the street and the resultant multi-sensory qualities, do not coincide with various zones and divisions as outlined by a recent development proposal for the Galle Road. Published on 2016-07-29 00:00:00
Culture and built-form in the making; an examination of the Asian and Sri
Lankan urban space
- Abstract: The dawn of the new millenium is characterized by the fast and abrupt change in cultures across the world, propelled largely by western thoughts, ideas and practices. Asia is no exception and has been in the forefront of this change in terms of economy, social patterns and indeed the built-form. 1980s saw a vibrant economic growth in Asia, followed by social, cultural and environmental transformations hitherto unknown in the Asian history, that some of those economies were even dubbed "tiger economies". Despite the collapses of those economies and turmoil that prevailed at the end of the last millenium, the social and environmental transformations have not seen any conceptual set-back but a steady progression towards a universal uniformity coloured only thinly by a subtle diversity of cultural grain.This paper examines the nature of the emerging Asian urban space and the way in which its spatiality is generated, nurtured and transformed in a people-driven highly politicized cultural process. Published on 2016-07-29 00:00:00
Innovations in the construction industry: problems and potentials
- Abstract: Innovation is the means by which an industry progresses taking either big leaps or gradual development. However, the construction industry, compared to other industries such as chemical, electronic, automobile etc, is rather ill equipped for innovations and records a little progress in its main streams of activities; design and construction. While innovation in design may take place even on a project by project basis, in the main stream of construction this seems notably absent.In this context, the objective of this paper is to discuss such aspects that may arise at various levels within the construction industry and suggest possible remedial measures. In doing so, the study evolves into three major phases. At the outset, the term innovation is defined in general terms and then in relation to applicability in the construction sector. The need for innovation in the present day context is highlighted. The key issues related to innovation within the context of the structure of the construction industry and the related external factors are discussed at the subsequent stage. The third and the final phase outlines the possible measures that could be adopted in order to overcome such drawbacks as well as to induce the culture of innovation within the construction industry.In this Study, an attempt has been made to capture the scenario in general, as the issue of innovation in the construction sector is common to almost any country situation. The recommendations too are made general, which could however be adopted to suit the specific situation where appropriate. Although the situation of Hong Kong has been taken into discussion for illustrations, the issues raised are common to the Construction Industry in many parts of the world. Published on 2016-07-29 00:00:00