The first in a series of 'in conversation with architects' took place on 8 May at RIBA Member Roshun Meezan's studio, featuring a discussion on culture and ideology and a studio tour.
Roshun’s discussion with the students touched on architectural education and the benefits of becoming an architect. He spoke on the ethics of the profession, followed by a question and answer session.
Roshun shared his earlier experience on completing his Part 1 and 2, and working as an architect many years ago under a chartered architect in London. He was also handpicked by a chartered architect for a project in Abu Dhabi; where he spent five years of his life.
Once Roshun returned, he was determined to practice. Upon meeting Nela De Zoysa - Sri Lanka Chapter Chair, encouraged the obtaining of his RIBA credentials and to subsequently sit for his SLIA Charter. This would give him the license to practice - in which he did so and founded his own practices A-design Studio and MAD design.
Previously Roshun was the Deputy Chair of Women in Architecture 2020, a programme that was initiated together with Nela De Zoysa, and was the highest viewed programme of the AIA. Roshun continues to actively serve the Committee of RIBA Sri Lanka Chapter will be the Deputy Chair of AIA Intl Conference 2025 in Sri Lanka.
Six members of the RIBA Sri Lanka Committee were present - Chairman of RIBA Sri Lanka Prof. Lalith De Silva, Head of School - SLIIT (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology), accompanied by senior students.
A total of 40 students attended the session, including students from City School of Architecture (CSA), University of Moratuwa (UoM), and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT).
Students eagerly walked around the practice space, viewing the large screens and boards depicting the works of Roshun Meezan's a-design in collaboration with MAD studio.
Today, a-design studio and MAD studio employs architects, chartered architects, licensed architects, structural engineers, electrical engineers, cost engineers, and Part 1 and Part 2 architectural students. Roshun has a team of over 50 people, and the office layout spreads over three floors.
Roshun Meezan's success is inspirational to the local students with an impressive cache of architectural projects. His hotel Serenia, situated in Galle is a Radisson Collection hotel today. Recently together with Nela De Zoysa, Roshun won a a hotel project bid - connecting the Bandaranaike International Airport Arrival Lounge through an overhead bridge to a hotel and car park.
Students listened keenly to Roshun describing good practice and the pitfalls of practice. This included how to avoid bad decisions and how to handle challenging ones in this sphere of work.
Many students had not previously seen a 3-storey practice office and were pleased to be given a tour. The tour provided an ideal opportunity for students of UOM, CSA and SLIIT a rewarding insight to practice.
Roshun further engaged the students by explaining how to handle competitive work projects and how to adapt design processes.
Impressively, Roshun is not just a member of the RIBA, he is also a member of the International American Institute of Architects, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects.
The event was an excellent ice breaker for the students to interact and network with each other and understand the practice of architecture. This was over complimentary refreshments and food, and the students interacted and reflected on their own journeys, thoughts and plans on future practice life.
Part 2 - In Conversation with Suranjith De Silva - Founder of DG5, Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Founded in 1972 in Colombo, Sri Lanka by a small team of visionary architects, created Design Group Five (DG5). A multidisciplinary design firm focusing on environmental respect lives, embracing new challenges, and making a positive impact on the communities they serve. The visionary architects included the founder Suranjith De Silva, (a senior member of RIBA) along with the late Gemunu Fernando, an engineer artist architect.
The student focused event was coordinated by RIBA member Manjula Fernando. The aim was to provide students with an insight to different types of architectural work at DG5, compared to the Part 1 series, which concentrated more on the hospitality industry.
This Part 2 event focused on the processes of architecture at studio Design Group Five concentrating on topics such as:
- high-rise buildings. commercial, residential and public
- expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport
- shopping mall structures, large office complexes and more
- architecture in terms of enhancing lives, fostering community and promoting well-being
- architecture in terms of design, sustainability, and the goal to create inspiring, people-centric spaces
The tour allowed students to view the working areas and the digital platforms. This includes the use of these cutting edge technologies and methodologies help to deliver sustainable, efficient, and visually striking projects.
Another chair of RIBA Sri Lanka, Lalith de Silva, also introduced Nela De Zoysa FRIBA. Who was a RIBA Council Member from 2011 to 2017, as the Founder Chair of RIBA Sri Lanka (2015 to 2021), and that she was responsible for getting RIBA's accreditation for CSA’s Part 1 and Part 2 in 2011.
Nela's father, Dr. Justin Samarasekera - founder of the Ceylon Institute of Architects (that then became Sri Lanka Institute of Architects) was responsible for bringing architectural education to Sri Lanka, while RIBA had both the BSc (Built Environment) and MSc in architecture accredited as Part 1 and Part 2 of RIBA.
Following the question and answer session students earnestly stated that these events allowed for real life insights and exposure of architecture in practice beyond education. They thanked RIBA Sri Lanka for assisting in narrowing down the type of architecture they would like to pursue. The students from CSA, UoM, and SLIIT also requested more of these events to take place in future.
Professor Lalith de Silva, thanked DG5 one of the oldest firms in Sri Lanka, for accommodating RIBA Sri Lanka's request. As it gave over 50 students the opportunity to learn more about being the next generation of future architects and designers.
RIBA Sri Lanka chapter created this two part series to benefit architectural and design students in Sri Lanka by providing real life exposure and conversations in readiness for their post architectural education direction. The students were encouraged to reap the benefits of becoming a RIBA student member and to take advantage of the opportunities and services provided.
