Design Block: 2018

The Verdant Oasis Wetland Awareness Centre

Location: Sri-Jayawardenpura Kotte (Administration Capital of Sri Lanka)

Wetlands are ecosystems that create microclimates and support a rich variety of biodiversity, including many endemic and threatened species. Wetlands recycle nutrients, removing toxins and contaminants. They replenish nearby aquifers enhancing the quality of water. Most importantly, wetlands are integral for the mitigation of floods and surface run-off. Bishan Park in Singapore, Hyde Park in London, Phoenix Park in Dublin and the Central Park in New York City are epitome of the man-made green getaways from the chaotic hullabaloo in highly urbanized city. In contrary, Colombo is quite fortunate to be blessed with a large expanse of naturally occurring wetlands within the city and was known in colonial times as the Garden City.

However, currently Colombo Wetlands are under threat and the city is drying up and the propensity of the city, going under water has eventually increased. Since 1980’s the city has lost almost 60% of wetland area. The circumstances are due to unplanned reclamation, organic pollution, vegetation clearance, chemical effluents, sewerage disposal, and poaching of ornamental fish, plant for trade.

Nestled in a silent setting within the heart of the Administration city, the site is surrounded by the lush verdant marshes, overlooking the serene Diyawanna Oya where the Parliament, Archt. Geoffrey Bawa’s magnum opus is located. The core idea is to make the people of the country celebrate and value the natural Wetlands that our country is blessed with; and most importantly to make them understand the current issue of Wetland depletion and its negative consequences on the entire eco-system. The concept was based on “levitation in the green” suggesting the notion that this building is a place where the Man gets to learn, inspire and admire this divine possession in an untrodden manner.

The structure is raised from the ground, nurturing the existing rich biodiversity and runs organically within the site. Upon arrival the visitors get wide vistas to the wetland beyond the entrance atrium that merges the building with the surrounding wilderness. The main atrium spans to two separate wings the Right Wing for servant spaces and Left Wing for served spaces.

The visitors are lead up to the interactive exhibition space surrounded within the atrium of green, which will progress to a colonnade of secondary exhibition space passing unto a restaurant and is ultimately ramped down into the Ferry stop through the wetland. The building is incorporated with recreational pockets and ramps that progresses through space that will connects the man with this divine asset spiritually, enhancing one’s experience.

The Man who enters the building as an ignorant being, unconscious of the impending chronic calamities that we will have to face in the near future; will ultimately be enlightened as he progress through this space, and leave the premises as a much conscious being taking steps to protect wetlands, who is also able to educate the future generation about the importance of the sustenance of wetlands.