This year, adapting to the pandemic, the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) is holding the SLIA Annual Awards Shortlisted Nominees Presentation Forum as a live webinar event.
Speaking to The Morning Brunch, SLIA Senior Vice President and Awards Committee Chairman Archt. Russell Dandeniya shared that the process for this year’s Awards for Architecture 2020/21 is a fully automated online process. However, in its similarity to years past, members were asked to submit applications of their work completed at least 12 months prior through the web portal, for consideration by the awards judging panels. “This is the first time we’re holding this event online,” he explained, adding: “We’ll be having a jury panel of local and international architects. The shortlisted nominees will present their submissions to the panel taking five minutes each. Following this, at the SLIA Inauguration Ceremony which will take place on 17 February at the Kingsbury Colombo, SLIA will be announcing the winners of the Awards for Architecture for Session 2020/21.”
Categories of recognition include recognition for architectural achievements in Design and in Colour, with awards for Excellence, Merit, and Honourable Mention awarded; Research and Publication awards; and the Young Architect of the Year Award.
Some of the shortlisted nominees for this year’s awards (for the Design and Colour Award) include architects Asokan Sritharan, Chamikara Moses, Damith Premathilake, Gayan Herath, Kosala Weerasekara, Malisha Kodituwakku, Palinda Kannangara, Sudesh Nanayakkara, and Shanaka Abeywickrama.
As Sri Lanka’s most eminent architectural institute responsible for the built environment in Sri Lanka, the SLIA strives to ensure that Sri Lanka’s exceptional architectural works are celebrated for the role they play in shaping our country’s built fabric to become the “Wonder of Asia”. The awards aim to recognise and brand Sri Lankan architecture in appropriation to its people, context, and construction technology.
The SLIA Annual Awards is the most esteemed Sri Lankan awards for architecture. Established by SLIA in 1956, it aims to recognise and reward built architectural works that address the needs and aspirations of excellence in Sri Lankan design. Because of the SLIA’s eminent and renowned awards judging panel, the SLIA Annual Awards is a true acknowledgement of excellence in the field for Sri Lankan architects.
The panel of jurors for the SLIA Annual Awards Session 2020/21 include Awards Committee Chairman Archt. Russell Dandeniya, International Juror Ar. Rahul Mehrotra, and official jurors SLIA Past President Archt. Jayantha Perera, SLIA Past President Archt. Chandana Edirisuriya, Archt. Hiranthi Welandawe, Archt. Vinod Jayasinghe, Archt. Sunil Gunawardena, Archt. Sagara Jayasinghe, and Archt. Pinnya Samarathuga.
The Technical Evaluation Committee for the Annual Awards 2020/21 include Archt. Shashikala Ranasinghe, Archt. Anoj Pathinayake, and Archt.Bhagya Jayatillake while the Research and Publication Awards Judging Committee includes Archt. Russell Dandeniya, Archt. Nela de Zoysa, Archt. Chintaka Nikapitiya, Archt. Dr. Jagath Munasinghe, Archt. Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya, and Archt. Dr. Nilan Cooray.
The Product Award Judging Committee includes Archt. Russell Dandeniya, Archt. Rukshan Widyalankara, Archt. Jayantha Domingo, Archt. Jayomi Yatawara, and Archt. Pradeep Fernando.
This year’s Presentation Forum, which is what will take place online, will also feature a presentation by International Juror Ar. Rahul Mehrotra.
The SLIA Annual Awards 2020/21 Presentation Forum will take place on Saturday, 30 January via Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube.
For more information, please visit the SLIA Awards Web portal or SLIA Facebook page.
