Architect Sunand Prasad Delivers Lecture On
‘Good, true & beautiful’
“What is a good building?” Architect Sunand Prasad asks the audience before him. The question is not a rhetorical one, but it is one that has generated philosophical discourse and continues to be a largely contested area.
The answer to the question begins with a beautiful Cinelli - one of the finest Italian racing bikes - projected into the screen behind Prasad. The analogy between buildings and a bicycle is, if I may say so, incredibly peculiar. However, considering that Prasad is an avid cyclist, it ultimately seems fitting. Cinelli bicycles have continuously pushed boundaries, producing some of the most innovative, state-of-the-art machines that have been touted as being incredibly well designed, user friendly and sustainable; and these components embody the ‘good, true and beautiful’ buildings. Sunand Prasad, Past President of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), visited the island on a flying visit to deliver a lecture at the first AGM of RIBA - Sri Lanka at the behest of Nela de Zoysa.
Cofounder of Penoyre & Prasad, he has, to date, completed over 300 projects across both commercial and public sectors. Prasad also provides thought leadership on current issues such as the circular economy, co-creation and valuing design, and has led the development of healthcare architecture, recognised for its innovative patient-centred and urban approach.
Prasad was voted one of the Independent’s top 100 environmentalists for his work in ‘greening the RIBA’. He has served in several key advisory and policy positions, and has regularly chaired Design Review Panels for high profile projects around the UK. He is a London Mayor’s Design Advocate, a board member of the UKGBC, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Journal of Architecture and of Article 25, the humanitarian architecture charity. Armed with innumerable knowledge, experience and accolades, Prasad was indeed well placed to deliver the lecture, more so because the future of the field lies in ecological balance and optimal convenience and benefit.
Prasad was voted one of the Independent’s top 100 environmentalists for his work in ‘greening the RIBA’.