ADAPTABLE URBANITY FOR THE UNDERSERVED

Bus Passenger Facilitation Center @Ratnapura

DESIGN REPORT

CDP (Design Thesis) | B. Arch (hons)

162121T – Pasan Mahindapala
ABSTRACT
This design thesis starts with a critical outlook through the conventional practices of architecture in the local context.
Receiving this positional stance, contemporary problems in underserved urban contexts of the developing world, specifically
in Sri Lanka is henceforth analyzed.

The problematic aspects of modern building production as put forth in the critical regionalist theory is studied to
acknowledge the negative effects of commodification, universalized styles, and production imperatives in the building
industry. A parallel study acknowledges the inadequateness of new urban developments in the country to properly respond
to the unique, vibrant urbanity in the local cities. All these studies have led to a critical outlook on the “urban vernacular”
which is rigid and universalized in technology, which does not respond well to the “place”. Additionally, following this
vernacular technology mostly results in excessive urban heat, which requires energy to cool using active methods. Through
an understanding of the architect’s historical role, an idea about what the architect can truly transform is explored. Following
that, the potential of architectural tectonics, to provide solutions to the identified problems through an innovative and place-
specific (regional) construction culture is taken as the main hypothesis of the thesis.

Ratnapura can be identified as an underserved city in Sri Lanka, intended to be developed under several state funded
projects making the city: a hub for its gem industry, visitor-friendly, and livable for the native people. . These top-down
project solutions does not seem to be fully addressing issues of the context. Therefore, the five urban “hotspots” identified
for the major development projects are met with proposed bottom-up extensions which are intended to jointly respond well
to the issues. Out of these issues, generating a design solution for the rapidly fluctuating urban density is mainly concerned
upon. The design outcome of this thesis is in one of those hotspots, in the adjacent site of the Ratnapura Central Bus
Terminal. A stay-in facility for the bus passengers is the primarily targeted function in the design. The facility building
follows a modular system of construction which allows the number of residential units to be increased or decreased
according to seasonal requirements, also considering the recurrent disaster situations like floods. This main building
organically sits in the uneven terrain, allowing public open spaces with the other small buildings and the existing buildings of
the site.

This collective intervention within the site demonstrates the use of innovative tectonics for adaptable urban buildings, while
acting as a density buffer to this urban node with a bottom-up development approach.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Title page ................................................................................................................................................................................. 01

2. Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................................... 02

3. Table of contents ................................................................................................................................................................... 03

4. Position .................................................................................................................................................................................... 04

5. Architectural position ........................................................................................................................................................... 05

6. Background study .................................................................................................................................................................. 06

7. Program ................................................................................................................................................................................... 09

8. Project context/feasibility .................................................................................................................................................... 13

9. Site ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

10. Typological studies ................................................................................................................................................................ 19

11. Working ideas ......................................................................................................................................................................... 22

12. Design principles/strategies ................................................................................................................................................ 24

13. Materiality / Constructability ............................................................................................................................................... 26

14. Production strategies ........................................................................................................................................................... 27

3
POSITION
Critical approach towards using architecture as a problem-
solving intervention in the Cities of the developing world.

Alluding to Fraser (2005)’s paper ‘The Cultural Context of

Critical Architecture’, Rendell (2005) in her introduction has
stated that,
...critical architecture is usually understood to refer to a
mode of architectural practice that opposes dominant
economic and cultural strands, instead hinting at an
Fig. 01: Word cloud highlighting the ideas explored in the thesis
alternative form of practice that does not reproduce
prevailing values.
...from a cultural perspective critical architecture
is relative, a luxury enjoyed in Western countries, yet
urgently needed elsewhere. (p. 06)
Criticality in architecture is a much-debated topic in
architectural theory. Yet it can simply be understood as a mode
of architectural practice which is opposing to the conventional
ways of practice, especially in an economic and cultural sense.

Some of the prevailing urban problems in Sri Lanka can be

Fig. 02: Overpopulation as a concerning issue in the developing world
analyzed as either emerging or amplifying because of some of
the conventional practices of architecture. For example,

• Difficulty of the urban fabric to adjust to rapid urban density

fluctuations.

• Extreme heat generation in urban areas, and the energy

spent for cooling urban buildings being economically
unsustainable.

While any architectural practice cannot fully oppose to the way

things done, hypothetical solutions for the identified problems
Fig. 03: Urban heat island study of the Colombo metropolitan area
could be proposed using alternative modes of practice. (1997 – 2017)
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Structural
Engineer
Contractor ARCHITECTURAL
POSITION
Architect
Master Builder Designing the aesthetic
“Architekton” beauty and functional
planning. Works with Architects can be identified as the ‘heir’ of the “Master Builder“
other professionals for
Designing all the technical aspects. profession, which is the ancestor of almost every profession
building systems,
giving innovative involved in today’s building industry. Architects are thus
solutions through Service responsible for not only being sensitive to, but also in exploring
Quantity
creative thinking Engineers
surveyor solutions for the previously identified problems. The question
lies in what can architects really transform, or what is truly in
Fig. 04: What is the role of an architect now? the control of architects?

It seems that architects can design with innovative construction

and spatial systems, without adhering to an established
vernacular, but generating the building systems as regional
Framework
(place-specific) solutions. This place-generated design seems to
be the historical role of an architect in the building industry, not
merely producing the imagery of a building/ functional plan to
be built with common, universalized construction technology
Enclosing
“Tectonics” is a term with many definitions. Even within the
Membrane discipline of architecture, the term tectonics can have different
(“Woven”) meanings. In the dictionary definition, tectonics is defined as
"the science or art of construction, both in relation to use and
artistic design" (Maulden, 1986, p.11). As cited by Frampton
(1983), architectural historian Stanford Anderson defined that
Earthwork tectonics refers “not just to the activity of making the materially
requisite construction that answers certain needs, but rather to
the activity that raises this construction to an art form” (p.27)

In this thesis, tectonics is defined as the “poetic of construction

Hearth technology”. By treating every structural/ functional or service
element as a part of the design composition, the aesthetics of
the design is achieved simultaneously while generating design
Fig. 05: Gottfried Semper’s Four Elements of Architecture. Earliest example of decisions as responses to the place.
tectonic understanding of architecture in architectural theory.
5
BACKGROUND STUDY
Theory
Kenneth Frampton (1983) expressed his criticism toward
universalization of world culture which came to prominence
with the early 20th century modernism and avant-gardism, and
how these global trends influenced architecture. In his essay
"Towards a Critical Regionalism” in Perspecta in 1983, he
recognized the monotonous and limited urban form which lacks Fig. 06: How the climate change affects the world and how the building
diversity, even for culturally diverse locations around the world. industry contributes to it.

“Urban vernacular” is somewhat an ambiguous term,

The basic arguments discussed by Frampton (1983) in
considering the textbook definition of ‘vernacular’ and the
“Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six points for an Architecture
reality of universalized technology in the modern vernacular
of Resistance” can be simplified as follows,
practices. However, in this thesis, it is used to refer to the
A practice which is,
canon of architectural knowledge possessed by the general
• Critical of the universalized styles, commodification and
public, to create buildings for local needs.
modern production imperatives in architecture.
The common architectural practice of Sri Lanka which can be
• Critical of both the approaches: “high tech” architecture
identified as urban vernacular clearly shows how it is not
which depends on mass production, and the “compensatory”
critically regional. The universalized production imperatives and
covering up of its failures.
commodification has affected the local practice so much, that
the main construction technologies used are not responding
• Balancing both modern technology and regional knowledge
well to the specific environmental, cultural, and economic forces
yet refraining from the extremist ends of both.
of the region.
• Faithfully responding to the natural forces like topography,
context, climate, and light of the place, which seems to be
the essence of regional architecture.

These writings are more important today, as this practice of

placeless, active creation of comfort in buildings has resulted in
a significant portion of harmful emissions. Responding to local
climatic conditions in a building is an important technique that
has a good capacity to remedy this problem while expressing Fig. 07: High Embodied and Operational energy footprint generally resultant
by practicing the contemporary urban vernacular.
the specific place where it is sitting.
6
In addition, Most of the top-down development approaches of
today does not fully endeavor to solve the complex urban
problems in Sri Lanka. Common characteristics like,
BACKGROUND STUDY
• Dependence on large scale investments, Context
• Low sensitivity to the small-scale (but prominent) issues, and Ratnapura, being a regional capital of Sri Lanka, attracts many
• Following universalized imperatives of building production, commuters to the city from far away areas. Out of them, some
limits the potentials of architecture and urban design. commuters regularly come for their work, business or education,
while others come for the institutional, commercial and other
Nowadays development mostly generates urban buildings which facilities that the city offers.
follows the same problematic vernacular, intended on creating
scenographic beauty, and earning profit. However, the collective
economic and other benefits are less, within the viewpoint of
sustainability. Mostly these projects leave large rigid structures
within the city. Underutilization of these buildings is a common
occurrence.

vs

Fig. 08: The public activity in the new development “floating market” in
Pettah is even less than the informal centuries-old Pettah streets

As a hypothetical solution, a bottom-up approach for an urban

intervention is considered. As per the architectural position, the
design intent is to generate an innovative tectonic design which
will solve problems in an underserved context, better than the
conventional methods. The urban analysis followed through
many stages of the thesis is deliberately providing the context for
this design intent. In other words, providing the required
Fig. 09: Extracts from the Ratnapura Development Plan 2019 - 2030
limitations for the ideas to be built upon.
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BACKGROUND STUDY
Context
However, Ratnapura is still an underserved city, even in relation
to the other Sri Lankan peripheral cities. Ratnapura (district)
has the 8th lowest household income in the island, despite Gem
Industry (of Ratnapura) being the fifth largest export economy
in Sri Lanka. Very poor urban planning, irresponsive buildings,
severe traffic congestion, parking problems, and challenges
from seasonal flooding can be observed as the major problems.

Transport facilities are underdeveloped, with buses as the only Fig. 10: Brief information about the Ratnapura Development Plan area.
mode of public transport. Out of the 150 000 daily commuters
expected in the city in 2030, a significant population will use
these buses to travel to and from the city. The following
scenarios are studied in relation to these potential users.

• The last bus of the day for some areas are leaves early in the
afternoon, at about 5 - 6 pm. Therefore, some people will
have very less time to do the things they came to do in the
city.

• Seasonal cultural festivals like “Saman Dewala Perahera”

(Procession for the deity Saman, which is also related to
Buddhist culture) approximately continues for a week. Also,
the start of the “Siripada” (Adam’s peak) Pilgrimage season,
attracts large crowds of people into the city.

• Some commuters may need to stay in Ratnapura, as a mid-

route stop on a longer journey between other major cities.

• With the annual flooding situation, many residents within and

close to the city are displaced. A resilient establishment with
all the facilities is needed for disaster evacuation. Fig. 11: Map of districts with a monthly mean household income less than
Rs. 47 500 (Northern and Eastern districts have suffered from the civil war)
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Commuters PROGRAM
Bus passengers, who likely came for,
* Institutional purposes
User
* Commercial purposes The users identified in the previous scenarios will need a space
Primary * Work to get relaxed for a while, fulfil their commercial needs, most
* Pilgrimages importantly - stay the night, or stay in the city for a few days. The
* Festivals analysis of potential users for the project shows that Ratnapura
* Studies is a city with a dire need for affordable and accessible facilities
* Sports/ Recreation for all types of bus commuters.
* Mid-route stop
Current development approach is apparently erasing informal
Users public spaces to be replaced with highly invested, profit earning
projects. With the current economic context, common people will
Displaced population nearby in a . .
get marginalized with this kind of development.
Secondary . Disaster Situation

Automobile travelers Another major observation in the city is the rapid urban density
fluctuations due to seasonal occurrences: disasters like floods,
religious and cultural festivals, and pilgrimage seasons. When
Tertiary Facility staff and service providers the city experiences them, informal changes are done in the
urban fabric to some extent.
Fig. 12: User categorization, considering a bus passenger facilitation
building program

High user population Low user population

• Disasters • Day to day use
• “Perehera” (Procession) • Pandemic lockdowns
festival
• Curfews
• “Siripada” (Adam’s peak)
pilgrimage season
• Other religious and culturally Fig. 14: “Perehera pola” (Procession fair), a temporary bazaar built to cater
important seasons to the city visitors in the Perehera season
Densified Layout Diffused Layout
But the question lies in how the built, formal urban fabric must be
Fig. 13: Seasonal urban density fluctuations unique to Ratnapura, Sri changed to cater for this seasonal urban density fluctuations.
Lanka
9
PROGRAM | Master Plan
A city-wide network of public service facilities are proposed to act as buffers for the fluctuating urban density. Five urban density
hotspots around the city are selected for this intervention. These buffers are placed adjacent to some of the main proposals in the
Ratnapura Development Plan 2019 – 2030. These projects can be recognized as top-down solutions, mostly intended for generating
profit and developing economy.
1. Near the central bus terminal
/ Bus Terminal
- Bus Passenger Facilitation Center

2. Near the existing market

/ Existing Agricultural Market
- Buffer Space (Extension)

3. Near the fish market and Cargill’s

/ Gem Square
/ Riverside Walkway
/ Playground
- Parking
- Riverside Food Court
- Children’s Park and Day Care

4. Near cathedral street

/ Pedestrian Only Commercial Street
- Commercial Square

5. Near the museum area

/ Multifunctional cultural building
- Public park (Forest + Wetland)
- Outdoor arena

/ = Existing/ Dev. plan proposals

- = Proposals of the thesis

The proposed interventions are bottom-up, more sensitive solutions for the identified urban problems which are not addressed in the
current development plan. These are introduced to state-owned and underutilized/ leftover sites in the city. In here, the functional
spaces are multiplied and reduced using a specific construction system. The detailed architectural project of the thesis will be in the
Transport square, for which the following program is briefed.
10
PROGRAM | Spatial brief
Diffused stages (less than full capacity) Bottom-up Passenger facilitation/ Disaster resilient settlement
Densified stage –
Disaster situation
Function Sub Function Activity Capacity Quantity Quality
Layout changed and
i. One person Sleeping, Dressing, locker 1 person 20 – 35 Units for one-night
more units added by
cabins stay
converting the
ii. Two person Sleeping, Dressing, locker, Bathroom 2 people 20 – 35
recreational spaces
rooms
1. Accommodation
iii. Four person “, Common bathroom 4 ppl. 20 – 35
dorms Rooms and family
Reserved for
iv. Rooms “, TV lounge, Pantry 2 ppl. 10 suites for extended
vulnerable population
v. Suites “, Kitchen, Laundry area, Verandah 4 – 6 ppl. 02 periods of stay
and medical services
As this is the Recreational wing also
entrance point to the turned into residential
i. Semi-outdoor Performance art activities 250 01
city for bus use with plug-in units.
amphitheater
passengers, spaces Food bazaar taken as
ii. Mini Cinema Movies and other audiovisual shows 110 01
2. Public with recreational the main court for
iii. Art Gallery Showcase for local visual art talents - 03
and educational disaster aid activities
iv. Food bazaar For external food vendors and stalls - 01
potentials must be as vehicle access and
v. Play area Kids play area - 01
added to the large space is
program. available
This is a semi-public New facilities like
i. Cafeteria Café with public access from main road 25 01
zone. All the medical services will
ii. Check-in lobby Reception, Check-in, Inquiries - 01
facilities like retail, be added in a disaster
iii. All-in-one shop Day to day needs - 01
dining, laundry, situation.
iv. Restaurant Mainly for the extended stay facility 15 01
3. Facilities working, etc. are
v. Laundry For both extended and one-night facilities - 01
provided before the Education activities of
vi. Meeting room Educational programs and personal
users go up to displaced children will
and working workspaces 50 01
private sleeping continue in the
area
cabins. available spaces
i. Kitchen Preparation of food Located near the Residential units are
01
ii. Storage Food items and other items storage adjacent road for clustered in densified
01
iii. Utility room Miscellaneous building services convenient service situation, and multiple
01
4. Services iv. Garbage Separating garbage for recycling - access. service points will
01
collection Garbage collection have to be established
v. Material storage Storing the modular elements of units to as a public facility and function as a
01
be added later adjacent to road. network.

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PROGRAM | Technical brief
Diffused stages (less than full capacity) Densified stage –
Disaster situation
Function Sub Function Activity Capacity Quantity Quality
Sanitary facilities
i. Common W/C, Urinals, Sink and Mirrors, Showers 02
are important as this
washrooms
is identified as a
Sanitary blocks to be
main service node of
5. Sanitary ii. Dedicated W/C, Urinals, Sink and Mirrors, Showers - 04 used separately for
the city in the dev.
washrooms for the clusters
Plan. Every zone will
one-person
have public
cabin clusters
washrooms.
The staff requires a
quality human
resource, in handling
the complex and Staff facilities to be
i. Office Co-working, Meeting 03
rapid construction extended for
ii. Staff area Gathering, Dining - 01
6. Administration activities. They must additional personnel
iii. Staff Stay-in 01
be staying within the involved in handling a
accommodation
facility for both the disaster situation.
assembling and
maintenance
functions.
Separate spaces and
Open spaces as the
i. Open spaces Landscaped open spaces buildings provided
03 living area in an
ii. Seating stairs Shaded spaces for outdoor sitting for circulation.
01 emergency.
7. Circulation iii. Circulation Staircases and landscaped steps - Shaded access
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iv. Roof terraces Terraces on top of the circulation pathways provided
08 Roof terraces as
buildings for mostly frequent
observation points.
connections.
Front road to be
i. Public parking Resident parking is functioned as the
20 01
Parking facilities for residents and visitors given from the main bypass road in
ii. Service parking Parking facilities for staff and service alternative road in the city as it is
7. Vehicular 10 01
vehicles the back of the site. unaffected by flood.
iii. Loading and Service goods loading and unloading Service access is The back road will be
- 01
Unloading from the front road. functioned for facility
purposes.

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PROJECT CONTEXT
Feasibility RATNAPURA DEVELOPMENT
PLAN ANALYSIS;
Opportunities
Less developmental pressure and interventions than in the capital city, but high 01. Adaptive Reuse
in the requirement for better urban spaces. There are more buildings with archaeological value which
are not utilized well
Regional Economic, Cultural and Social hub which has a potential of
demonstrating a viable alternative for public architecture. Most of the identified buildings for adaptive reuse are
away from the city center
Regional transit node with a significant commuter population.
02. Disaster Management
Full of unique historical and cultural character although it is not well recognized The proposed disaster aid center is too far away from the
city. Access in a flood situation will be difficult
Constraints No proper solution yet for the small urban waterways
which gets blocked and promotes more flood
District with the 8th lowest household income, despite Gem Industry (of
Ratnapura) being the fifth largest export economy in Sri Lanka. Pros
• The plan is focused on developing the best ways to
Very poor urban planning with irresponsive public buildings. improve the local economy.
Severe traffic congestion and parking problems. • Existing character of the city is planned to be
protected.
Challenges from seasonal flooding. • Planned for development yet ensuring less
expansion of the city.
EXISTING LAND USE MAP
SOURCE: UDA
PROPOSED LAND USE MAP
SOURCE: RATNAPURA
Cons
DEVELOPMENT PLAN • No immediate solutions for current conditions.
• Reintroductions of the existing functions.

Proposal for the Bus Terminal Site;

• Project – A new bus Terminal with larger capacity
• Requirement – 150 000 of daily commuting people and
100 000 tourists per annum
• Site area – 2 acres
• Project cost – 70 million
• Designed and managed by – Urban Development
Authority

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SITE Opportunities
Physical context
One of the rare lands near the city which does not get flooded easily.

With four characteristic railway quarters buildings built with influence of Colonial
British Architecture (in 1912).

Zoned as a suitable area for hospitality with the Ratnapura Rest House, Upper Club
and other private resorts.

Uniquely located between the edge of Pompakele Forest Reserve and the highly
urbanized Central Bus Terminal area.

Site has a good shade in the sunny times because of tall trees in the adjacent
(Pompakele) land.

MACRO CONTEXT MAP Constraints

Gradual loss of character in the region because of encroachers to lands owned by
both the PompaKele and Sri Lankan Railways.

The owners of railway quarters then had illegally sold the quarters to the new
owners, but they still do not have proper deeds for these state-owned properties.
They will have to be resettled in a suitable area.

Threat of (small scale) landslide and soil erosion within the site because of
clearing vegetation and expanding railway quarters buildings. (Pompakele land
does not get landslide because of thick vegetation)

No proper drainage in the site. Rainwater flows down to the road below and then
move across into the drain beside the road.

FLOOD LEVEL MAP Improperly placed electricity posts in the front.

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SITE
Physical context
Site area: 3.25 acres (13164.5 sqm)
Contours: 1m intervals Site surrounding

Significant and iconic region of Sri Lanka

Major urban center for a long time since colonial era

Site location map

Severely affected by floods Cultural, Institutional and Social hub

15
SITE
Activity context
Considering the activity context, the site is under-used, despite the
high activity in the adjacent lands. This is primarily because of the
terrain, and the private use of lands even though they are owned by
the state.
But considering the seasonal flood situation disturbing the city
functions, elevated lands must be developed in Ratnapura. The site
can also be used to connect the two commercial strips on the sides
of the site, encouraging a new active urban link.

Views of the Site

Bus parking and Informal parking Long distance bus stop

common drop off

VEHICULAR ACTIVITY MAP PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY MAP

- Private vehicle pathways - Popular pedestrian pathways

- Bus pathways - Pedestrian activity density

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SITE SLOPE ANALYSIS
MAP
Climate and Topography
The site gets wind mainly from the west direction. As Ratnapura is in the wet zone of Sri Lanka, main
monsoonal season which affects Ratnapura is the southwest monsoon. Because of the monsoons
high rainfall can be experienced in May and October months. The abundant soil type is Immature
brown loamy soil. The site has a very specific topography, which affects the design decisions to a
great extent. The elevation range is approximately fifteen meters, which is steep in the southern part
than the northern part.

That northern portion is primarily taken for the new design interventions, but the existing railway
quarters buildings in the southern part are conserved and connected with pathways despite the steep Steep slope (>180)
slope. But the slope gradient difference is taken as a potential to organize the functions in a hierarchy Mildly Steep slope (180> x >90)
Gentle slope (<90)
considering their need for privacy.

Soil type: Immature

Brown Loams

Elevation range within site: 15m

(approx.) Thick tree shade in the morning and noon

City view with visible popular landmarks

(Clock Tower, Ehelepola Harem, National
Museum & etc.)

Sun and Wind diagram for the site Monthly average rainfall
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SITE OLD RAILWAY BUILDING NOW 1966 CITY PLAN SHOWING THE
RAILWAY STATION BUILT IN 1912
(BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF
BUS TERMINAL)

Historical context
Ratnapura is a major urban node in the country since the
colonial times and even before that. Because of the gem
industry which is exclusively in Ratnapura, the city is
internationally important. The widely spread tourist
attractions and other natural resources amplify the
importance of the city.

The centuries long colonial occupation has been a positive

factor for development in the city. For example, the Kelani
Valley Railway Line from Colombo to Pelmadulla actively
catered to the local population well. The Ratnapura Railway
Station was built in 1912 by the British colonial government.

Around 1976, a major urban intervention was done to turn

OLD RAILWAY QUARTERS NOW
the railway station into the central bus terminal for
Ratnapura, moving the bus terminal from the city center to
the current bus terminal site. But a part of the railway
building, and the five railway quarters buildings was not
demolished back then. Today, the railway building acts as a
part of the bus terminal, and the quarters buildings are
(illegally) owned by private owners.
OLD RAILWAY STATION BUILDINGS

18
TYPOLOGICAL STUDIES
Local examples

Galle Bus Station

This bus station provides a safe, accessible, and pleasant passenger
facility. The urban connections made through the building seems to
function well. The design also responds to the possibility of evacuation
in a tsunami situation. But this is seemingly underutilized in its
commercial facilities.

Makumbura Multimodal Center

This is a multimodal transport hub, facilitating for bus and railway
transport. Out of the transport related infrastructure developments
in Sri Lanka, this is one of the most expensive structures, built Dambulla Bus Station
with the aid of foreign investments. Compared to the resources Inspired by the shade of a large tree, this design facilitates the functions
involved, this facility is functioning very poorly considering the under a large artificial canopy. The ground floor commercial facilities
utilizing of the building by local people. Because of that, benefits function well, comparing with the other examples above. The design is
received by the country as a whole is very less, leaving the closer to the human scale, and quite responsive. Even so, the upstairs
question: Is this the suitable development for Sri Lanka? facilities are underutilized, resulting in the waste of much resources.
19
TYPOLOGICAL STUDIES Nakagin Capsule Tower @Tokyo – Kisho Kurokawa
This is a classic example in architecture of adaptivity
through transformable buildings. Even though, the
Strategies Richards Medical Research Laboratories intention of the architect that the capsules would be
Architectural styles like @Philadelphia – Louis Kahn dismantled and upgraded every 25 years was not realized.
metabolism has tried to The building is configured as a group of
laboratory towers with a central service
explore the idea of adapting to
tower. Cantilevered structures supports the
density through modular
idea of separating access + other services
buildings. from the functioning spaces. Classic
example of dichotomy between service
Furthermore, transformable spaces and served spaces.
space is already an informal
solution created by people in
the developing regions. But Manek Chowk food market @Ahmedabad
most of them are not refined Adapting to public need through diurnal layout change.
or well-thought. What is Serves as a vegetable market in the morning, a bullion
missing in here? market in the noon, and a street food market in the night.
It has proved to be very functional, adapting to changing
A sensitive architectural input times.
from a design professional,
providing them the tectonic: Quinta da Malagueria @Evora, Portugal –
"both spatially and structurally Alvaro Siza
refined" spaces, but in an This is a housing project which addresses to
affordable and low-tech way. the critical issue of identity and the lack of
housing after the “Carnation Revolution” of
This strategy approach Portugal when the lower status citizen
wouldn't be an exclusive gained their voice in society. The design is
heavily affected by the site’s terrain and the
solution applied for only the
city’s rich historical background.
current context, but a thesis of
how public space should be in
the third world urban realm.
The built density must be
possible to be increased and
decreased.

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Precedent Studies for Ephemeral spaces
TYPOLOGICAL STUDIES The possibilities of architectural design when "durability"
isn't much of a concern, must be noted. Ephemerality can
Adaptability produce innovative and bold spaces which has a limited life.

Precedent Studies for Adaptive Reuse Even the term "affordability", can be redefined with this
Historic buildings Outlive their original functions. Adaptive Reuse is a strategy. Affordable building form would not have to be
method in which structures are modified for a new purposes while minimal, because designs can meet the other needs well,
preserving their historic characteristics. when durability can be compromised. But on the other side,
Most of the adaptive reuse practiced in Sri Lanka intends to promote the resources spent for an ephemeral installation will be only
tourism, using the historical significance which can be celebrated to attract for a limited time of existence.
the public.
Rigidity seems to be the problem. Adaptability as a
solution, if a building can serve the public as a
state-owned facility which adapts to the seasonal
need, the major issue will be addressed.

Adaptability: the ability of a building to respond

successfully to the dimension of time.
Serpentine gallery pavilions – The
Serpentine Gallery’s annual architectur
Two of the widely practiced approaches for
-al commission showcases new ephem
adaptable architecture are adaptive reuse and one-
FRAC Dunkerque @France, Lacaton & -eral installations designed by famous
time-use ephemeral structures.
Vassal – Old shipyard converted to an architects.
exhibition center and art gallery, with a This design intends to explore an intermediate
mirror-image extension of the old solution, which would not be rigid as a permanent
building building which needs to be renovated for changing
functions, or as obsolete as temporary structures
which gets discarded after one-time use.

The approach will be a controlled system which

enables a public facility to get densified and
diffused, according to different pre-designed
Heritance Tea Factory Hotel @Nuwara layouts suited for the seasonal needs.
Eliya, Nihal Bodhinayake – Old tea Shinto shrine – Mirror building rebuilt
factory turned into a luxury hotel, Rigidity ----- Adaptability ----- Obsolescence after every 20 years. Started date
designed in the theme of the history of ✔ unknown. Can exist for an eternity
× ×
tea production 21
WORKING IDEAS

Main strategy of densification is simplified to converting a singular “hall” space to a

set of “room” spaces by partitioning. This is balanced with the function by using the
halls for recreational functions like art galleries, etc. These are partitioned and the
number of residential units are increased when densifying.

The connection with the Bus Terminal is created using a “live urban edge”, with
changing characters and spaces along the edge. This is active with a variety of
The open spaces are placed considering both; the activities and functions: Inter-city bus stop, Garbage collection, Entrance to the
slope gradient and the visual connection with the recreational zone, Public washrooms, Cafeteria, Service access, Service parking,
bus terminal. The main visual connection is kept not and the Food court. The niches ends up with staircases like in the above diagram
only with the bus terminal but also across it to the (for example). This forms a clear segregation between this edge spaces and the
wetland park in the cultural square proposal. other facility spaces which are semi-public and private.
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WORKING IDEAS
The bottom-up design response for the public requirement is also explored as a quality through the design tectonics of the modular
system. The main building structure is born in the single unit’s form. It is not the other way around like partitioning a singular form to
create spaces. According to the brief, three main units are: single-person cabin, two-person room, and four-person dorm. These units get
connected to the main structural frame to form the sectional form of the main building. The three-unit collective then repeats in numbers
of four, five, and six to form the main building subunits.

Two-
person
room

Four-
person
dorm
Single-
person
cabin

These subunits are then connected with a circulation

unit which allows vertical and horizontal circulation.
This also includes a small roof terrace on the top. The
circulation units are all designed in a similar language,
where some of them may have additional functions like
entrances from ground floor. The staircases for level
changes is also within these units, making it easy for
the building to sit on the uneven terrain contours

This language is metaphorical to the tectonic use of a

“joint” to connect two elements. Another tectonic idea
explored in these circulation units is the honest use of
materials, like brick arches and vaults instead of RCC
lintels. This is also intended to limit the use of
Concrete and Steel for sustainability.

23
DESIGN STRATEGIES
Environmental response
As the primary environment response, passive strategies like
natural light and ventilation are fully followed.

The topmost space is spared for both lighting and stack

ventilation, from where light is sieved down to the corridor spaces
and the hot air is moved up.

The cantilevering of the top units first gives them more space with
a less footprint. This is ideal because the top units are for multiple
persons to stay. Second, this cantilevering is effective in shading
and covering the bottom units which is an effective passive strategy
for climate. Climate control is also attempted to achieve in the
envelope as follows;

PVC T&G Ceiling Panels

50mm Thick Straw (Durra)

boards

Metal sheet covering

(Takarang)

24
DESIGN STRATEGIES Ornamental Timber elements built by
traditional local artisans
Materials
Clay tiled hip roof with
The five existing railway quarters buildings are
overhangs
conserved and reused for the building function. - Responding the hot-
humid climate
Furthermore, the material and tectonic - Shading the envelope
approach is studied in both the buildings - Low albedo of clay
within the site, and the other significant
Brick arches
buildings of the colonial era within and in the for openings
periphery of the city. instead of
RCC lintels
The tectonic connection between solid and
lightweight elements, plus the honest structural Granite flooring finished
approach by being sensitive to the materials is with cement
- Strong foundations using
to be noted in this study. granite
- Widely available local
This is a viable option even for today, because resource
the composition of the building can go along
these restrictions of the natural structural This sensitivity to natural behavior of materials is not only a structural restriction, but
behavior of materials. Furthermore, it reduces also as an aesthetic principle, respecting what we build with, to achieve a poetic
the excessive use of imported materials like composition through “materially requisite” constructional technology as discussed in
steel and concrete. theories of tectonic architecture.

Eg:
Clay tiles
Timber
Clay bricks
Granite

Shaded brick arcades for Steel/ Iron trusses for Granite for
connectivity long spans retaining walls

25
MATERIALITY/
CONSTRUCTABILITY

26
PRODUCTION
STRATEGIES
The design mostly uses components
available in the local markets, however used
specifically to the situation.

Keeping bricks exposed to the natural

forces in the local climate is impractical
with the common clay brick. Therefore, the
bricks are needed to be good quality water
resistant engineering bricks.

The following axonometric diagram shows

part by part, the main structural frame

Partitioning

Precast slabs
Brick covering Steel structure

27