Top design firms compete to redefine urban plans for Colombo Port city and Marina

The International Urban Design Idea Competition, an effort conceived and initiated by CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd under the sanction of International Union of Architects (UIA) concluded successfully, with enticing innovative and sustainable urban plans for the proposed Financial District and the Marina, located within Colombo Port City.

Organised for the first time in Sri Lanka, the competition had the presence of three world class design firms, namely Gensler, Nikken Sekkei and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). The competition regulations were in accordance with the UIA-UNESCO Guidelines for International Design Competitions, a non-governmental organisation that employs a global federation of national associations of architects, with the support of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA), according to a CHEC media release.

The panel of top international jurors comprised Dr. Deborah Dearing, District Commissioner of Greater Sydney Commission; Prof. David Dernie, a Chartered Architect, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Westminster, UK; Calvin Tsao, an acclaimed practitioner with leading voice and a representative of contemporary architecture from New York; Prof. Harris Trevor Gordon Stuart representing UIA and co-founder of Harris - Kjisik Architects, Finland; and Pali Wijeratne ,a highly qualified Sri Lankan architect and town planner representing SLIA.

Key highlights of the Ideas Competition in Colombo were visits by the participants separately to the project site and development during the period March 20 to 28. The international Jury Panel met over a period of three days to deliberate and decide on the winning submissions.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), on winning the competition said, "We are truly delighted that our proposals for Port City Colombo have been so well received. On visiting the Port City Site, we were inspired by the intensity and vibrancy of this unique place which has the potential to have a significant impact on the global stage. Port City Colombo is reminiscent of many megaprojects world-wide and this initiative has the opportunity to lift the spirit of an emerging nation. This endeavour will catalyse inward investment from abroad yet also offer new opportunities for local people to improve their quality of life. We look forward to developing the vision further in the next round of work at both the architectural and city- district scales."