Design Block: 2017

Abode for divergent Métiers

Nestled in a tranquil suburb, Attidiya is a calm and quite area in the busy event-filled area of Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Council, Sri Lanka.

3 School friends who have jointly purchased a 30.43 Perch (~770 sqm) land are willing to live in a community which facilitates the maintenance of interactions and close relationships between them.

It is an undivided plot where all three parties have joint ownership of the property and common amenities as per the condominium act.

However the 3 friends are involving in 3 different fields.

The first is a doctor (Dr. Senaka) who is also married to a doctor. (she has a domestic scale dispensary in their abode.) Dr. Senaka works at General Hospital and is mostly out from home during daytime. After a hectic day he comes back home after 6pm where he direly expect to relax and unwind. The spaces are not extremely large. This was done to minimize the uneasiness caused due to sudden transformation from frenzied work to overly peaceful state. More earthy tones where used to create a sense of calmness instead of using pristine whites. The dispensary conducted by his wife is of small scale and has an entrance used only by her patients. Tones of Green and mild hues of blue have been incorporated to mirror a sense of decontamination and recovery. They have a teenage daughter, and she is the only child of the family. Kids who don’t have siblings appreciate spending more time alone in their own realm. It was supported by creating her own uniterrupted personal space.

Second friend is a teacher (Mr. Perera), who is also married to a teacher who conducts a Montessori (Pre-school) at their abode for 10 kids in the neighborhood. Kids feel enthusiastic and euphoric in the presence of joyful vibrant colors. Therefore brilliant tones have been incorporated to the Montesoori. Mr. Perera’s own kids (son and daughter) and his mother live with them. The rooms of the siblings are adjacent to each other. The grandmother has her own room which easily accesses her miniature outdoor garden and pantry and has direct links to a TV lobby shared with the grandparents of the 3^rd house. Mr. Perera teaches Physics at Lyceum International School. He also gets back home late due to heavy traffic congestion in Colombo and expects to spend a relaxing time with his own family.

3. The third friend is a free-lance Artist (Mr. De Silva). He is a single parent with a son. Mr. De Silva’s parents live in this house as well. He likes to be solitary while he paints as it evokes creativity in him as it naturally does for all Artists. His own Den has been created on the topmost floor of his house facing the canal. Artists’ spaces could get messy easily. Therefore his den is made into a double height space containing his Working spaces, Easels, Paints, own pantry (as he works late he could make his coffee without going downstairs or interrupting his son or parents), etc. ,while his bed is on a mezzanine loft separated from the entire hullabaloo created. This loft in the mezzanine is reached by a ladder. His bed faces the canal through its glazing so he can have a fine sleep watching stars even though his workspace is messy. His son is the only child and he also appreciates freedom and solitude hence his personal space is made quite large with a terrace that has links to Mr. Perea’s son, so they can enjoy playing in the afternoons.The ground floor of this house has been occupied by Grandma and Grandpa who willingly spend time with Mr. Perera’s Mother. Soothing tones have been used to match the preference for their age.

It’s quite evident that these individuals have different schedules and these activities need to be carried out without any interruption. However it was also vital to bring them together at least on weekends to relish and spend time together and to keep the knots of friendship.

One of the primary concerns was to link similar age groups and similar likes together.

All grandparents of the families had internal links so they can watch TV together and cook and have dinner together. They have gardens to grow, which will keep them energetic and connected with the outdoors

The Northern area of the site is the paradise. It faces a canal. The backyard is absolutely stunning with a plethora of trees, shrubs, vines and flowers, with Hammocks hung on hardwood trees and circular benches circumferencing the tree barks. There is a timber deck facing the canal with outdoor bar furniture to enjoy BBQ and mocktails at weekend together.

On the roof top too the individuals can entertain their guests as it’s a heaven of flora and pruned shrubs with outdoor furniture

Unlike the administration hub of Colombo, (Battaramulla/ Sri Jayawardenapura) where there foliage and vegetation with abundant flora and fauna species; Dehiwala Mount Lavia is substantially dusty and contaminated with hustle bustle in Mount Lavia Beach. It is rapidly industrialized, and generally has less foliage in contrary to some green pockets in the vicinity (Attidiya Bird Sanctuary, National Zoological Gardens, etc.).

Therefore this abode for 3 familes has been created as an getaway from the urban restlessness. A lot of green and rustic spaces, Bio walls, pergolas, Timber screens, adequate fenestrations for influx of daylight and internal boulevards have been incorporated to give a relaxing ambience.

Energy is being provided not merely by solar panels stacked on the roof, but also the hydropower of canal currents.

The water recycling unit near the canal transforms domestic greywater to potable water and is released to the canal.

The rates at which water is pumped in for domestic use, and the rate at which water is discharged back to river after purification, are approximately the same and does not disturb the maintained levels of canal water.

Irudini Liyanage

City School of Architecture, Colombo, Sri Lanka