•  The architectural status quo of Sri Lanka: Interview with Architect, Prof. Nishan Wijetunge 

 The time is nigh for Sri Lanka, reeling as it is from a myriad of crises stemming from the volatility on the economic front, to take drastic and expeditious measures concerning the building industry, and in particular, regarding building materials and accessories made up of locally sourced ingredients, locally crafted and manufactured, technically enhanced materials, so as to re-embrace a vernacular style of architecture which could be the saving grace of the construction sector and thereby also save foreign exchange, according to a top local architecture academic and practitioner with international experience, who also urged Governmental authorities to initiate the provision of fairly priced building materials, and to encourage local manufacturers, sellers, vendors and promoters of building material, architects, and engineers.

“Sri Lanka is going through the roughest economic dilemma of its time, for which we have to brace ourselves like never before,” points out Associate Professor and Architect Nishan Wijetunge.

“Everything in life is impermanent and only change itself is for certain,” he reiterated.

He is currently the youngest serving Professor of Architecture in the country, perhaps even the youngest ever appointed, as well as the youngest Fellow Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA). Prof. Wijetunge is also an International Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects as well as its Sri Lankan Chapter.

Currently serving in the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of the Built Environment and Spatial Sciences of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Southern Campus based in Suriyawewa, Prof. Wijetunge holds the honour of once serving as a Honourary Research Fellow at the School of Architecture of the University of Liverpool, UK (2017-2018). He is an Associate Member of the Centre for the Study of Architecture and Cultural Heritage of India, Arabia, and the Maghreb, which is an interdisciplinary forum based at the University of Liverpool. 

Furthermore, his academic services have been extended in the past to the Department of Architecture of the University of Moratuwa as a Senior Lecturer (2014-2017) and also to the School of Architecture of the Nottingham Trent University as a Visiting Lecturer (2010-2011). He has also taken part in academia-related activities of the City School of Architecture (CSA) over the years, acting in the capacity of a juror and examiner (2013-to date).

Being a prolific practicing Chartered Architect, Prof. Wijetunge’s contribution to the professional field speaks for itself; being appointed as the pioneer Treasurer of the recently incorporated Sri Lanka Institute of Interior Architects (November 2022-to date), as well as for his former contributions for serving in the Council of the SLIA (2020-2021) and in many of its active Boards (i.e. the Board of Architectural Publications, the Board of Education, the Professional Affairs Board, etc.).

Over the last decade or so, he has completed over 250 projects encompassing domestic, housing, hospitality, and commercial realms.

Arch World speaks to Prof. Wijetunge about the inevitable and rather disturbing changes that have recently occurred in the county that have been detrimental to its once flourishing building industry. He further comments on the toll on the day to day life of the people that has eventually manifested in terms of their lifestyles and thus, the quality of buildings.

Building industry gone astray 

As Prof. Wijetunge commented: “Since the US dollar rate was floated back in April 2022, the country’s economy went from bad to worse and took a free fall; deteriorating furthermore from the Covid-19 imparted state of downfall. Sri Lanka had not experienced such a state of hardship in history immemorial. The shortages of food, medicine, and especially fuel stunted the Lankan economy. 

“For the Government struggling with the immense pressures of having to juggle the balances of the economy along with a myriad of political and socio-cultural issues that would not stop, it seems like the building industry right now is not a priority.” 

This point was alluded to recently by both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.

In this backdrop, in Prof. Wijetunge’s words: “It is a pity that Sri Lanka, which was one of the booming economies of the world, as well as one of the 10 most conducive places for foreign investment just 10 years ago, fell to this sorry state.”

In his view, everyone is equally responsible for this mess to varying extents. 

“Although most say that the politicians and Governmental bureaucracy are to blame for the rampant mismanagement and corruption prevailing in this country, for their part, most neglect the pivotal role played by the country’s citizens themselves in dragging the county into this mess. During the aforesaid period of great promise, Sri Lankans got carried away. The middle class that was striving to ascend up the social ladder started indulging in their brand new cars, shopping tours and foreign trips, etc., to pose as the elite class; when they were clearly not. 

“The working class too played its part to emulate the middle class to the best of their ability. People were taking loans that they could not afford and saving was the last thing on their minds. So, when hyperinflation hit, such factions could not keep up with the loan repayments or even expenses of day to day affairs for that matter. When payment defaults happen, it is strenuous on the financial and banking systems, and subsequently the economy too. It is a vicious cycle. 

“During the last few years, we have seen people selling vegetables and sanitation masks from the backs of their sports utility vehicles, which is a real shame. This is just one example for so many ridiculous situations we saw people drag themselves into. Apparently, Sri Lankans are not familiar with the dictum ‘living within your means’, and the same applies to the Government of Sri Lanka. The country and its people both spent money that they did not have or could not afford. 

“We do not have room to be frivolous. Bangladesh which was once in our shoes survived the pandemic unscathed. Think about it. This is a great lesson for the future. When the economy is down and spending power is low, buildings will be one of the last things people would spend on. This explains the sorry state that the industry is currently in, and the reason behind the suffering of all its professionals.”

Time to go vernacular again?

“In the past too, Sri Lanka has been through bad economic patches, although it is questionable if any were this bad. The literature points to the drastic measures taken by architects between 1971-1977, when they turned local when it came to building materials and accessories. The renowned Geoffrey Manning Bawa, who initiated a vernacular based architectural style of tropical/neo-regionalism in the 1960s, stepped it up during this period,” elaborates Prof. Wijetunge.

“The designs executed during this time were derived by traditional architecture, where their architectural features such as courtyards, verandahs, reflective pools and cross ventilation enabling fenestration, all helped as passive measures, not using energy in their operation. Further, traditional methods such as lime plasters and fair face finishes were brought back into fashion; removing the need for certain paints, fillers, etc. that were constantly required for maintenance. 

“The roofs started to be covered in clay tiles again, eliminating the need for imported asbestos made prolific in the decade before. In the absence of imported glass, timber window shutters made a comeback. When there were no imported furniture and light fittings, etc., to buy off the shelf, local craftsmen were encouraged to emulate and make their own versions. Such measures all kept the industry going in a time of great economic stagnation. 

“Just as turning to vernacular saved us back then, it could also perhaps save us now. Now, we have more technically advanced materials that could be manufactured locally, using locally available ingredients. For instance, the ‘compacted earth wall’ technology could be deployed to remove the overreliance on cement. After all, the main ingredients for making cement are imported although cement itself is mostly locally manufactured. We have had this in the past in the name of ‘Tappa bami’.

“Compacted earth construction over the years has come a long way, and it is exploited even in the developed world today. Take the US’ version of the ‘earth ship’ for example. They have shown to us that such examples do work. As alternatives to expensive imported paints and coatings for surfaces, certain architects around the world are trying out clay and cement mixed rendering methods. Even going with a fair face is a good option. 

“In India, architects such as Lawrence Wilfred Baker were very successful with exposed brick finishes. Exposed concrete is another method that was championed in the past by modernists such as Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret). In Vietnam, they are exploiting bamboo which has good tensile strength. It has been used to make large shelters with impressive spans. The aesthetic of such structures have a nebulous and organic feel to it. Technology has found ways to improve its material qualities to make it conducive for construction. I think that we should also explore such means, quickly,” states Prof. Wijetunge.

He also criticised all Sri Lankan governments that turn a blind eye on black market operatives as well as fraudulent companies and enterprises that rob the general public even during the time of crisis.

“When there is no security for food, commodities, and medicine in a country, one cannot expect fair prices for construction material. There should be some Government initiative to supply people with cheaper building materials; not passing down everything to the private sector so that they could reap a benefit out of it. Also, at least some of the building materials ought to be manufactured here using local ingredients. The local manufacturers should be encouraged to do so by all means possible. The sellers, vendors, and promoters of building material too have a great responsibility to promote local products and not repudiate them. The local architects and engineers too have a responsibility to use them in their work. This can save some of our foreign reserves.”

The way he sees it, human habitation is a basic human right, and it is the responsibility of the State to ensure that people get access to the means of its realisation.

(The writer is an architect and an External Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, the KDU and the CSA)

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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.