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.
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| Masterplan Layout |
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| Ground Floor |
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| First Floor |
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| Sections |
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