A symposium on Architecture titled Salt River Talks: Between Planning and Materials was held on 23rd and 24th of August at Brief Gardens, Beruwala, supported by the University of Moratuwa and the University of Melbourne, Australia. The organizers of the symposium were Prof.Paolo Tombesi from the University of Melbourne and Dr. Milinda Pathiraja, Archt.Kolitha Perera and Archt. Varuna de Silva from the University of Moratuwa. The presenters were from various parts of the world who are practitioners-cum-academics. Over the course of 2 days, they made presentations of their own work (real building projects) providing an opportunity to trigger an exchange of ideas on issues that are of general relevance to architecture and also of specific relevance to the development of Sri Lanka’s physical and social fabric. There were four distinct ‘panels’ organised sequentially which built on project examples and materials and presented to the audience in order to generate commentary and initiate dialogue. Many Architects and students from the University of Moratuwa participated in this two day symposium.
The distinguished speakers were as follows-
Prof. Yung Ho Chang – A Professor of Architecture and former Head of the Department of Architecture at MIT, and the founder and director of China's first private architecture firm, Atelier FCJZ.
Jorge Carvalho - One of the founders and directors of aNC arquitectos established in Porto in 1991. A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Porto, he worked in London with Foster Associates
Assoc.Prof. Arunava Dasgupta - The Secretary of the Institute of Urban Designers in India, and an architect and urban designer currently engaged as Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Planning in Delhi.
Eduardo Ferroni - The founding director of the Brazilian architectural firm H + F. A graduate in architecture and urbanism from the University of Sao Paulo, he established H + F with Pablo Herenu in 2002.
Timothy Hill -One of the founders and directors of Brisbane-based Donovan Hill and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland. He recently established Hill Partnerships.
Peter Malatt - A graduate of the University of Melbourne and a founding director of Six Degrees, the architectural firm established more than 20 years ago in Melbourne and widely recognised for its engaging hospitality, tertiary education and civic projects
Teresa Novais -One of the founders and directors of aNC arquitectos, Porto,
established with Jorge Carvalho in 1991. A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Porto, she worked in London with David Chipperfield Architects.
Michael Rotondi -Founding partner of Morphosis (1975-1991) and now the principal at RoTo Architects in Los Angeles. Recognized as an innovative architect/educator, he has practiced and taught architecture for 30 years.
Dr. Riccardo Vannucci has a PhD in Architectural Design at the University of Rome and a long personal interest in the cultural aspects of technical practice. Since 1985 he has worked as a free-lance architect in Italy, the Middle East and Africa, developing a characteristic approach to architectural design
The senior practicing Architects from Sri Lanka who made presentations were
Archt. Vijitha Basnayake
Archt. Madhura Prematilleke
Archt. Hirante Welandawe
Archt. Channa Daswatte
