SLIIT School of Architecture awarded RIBA full accreditation

Continued from Page 14

“We are elated by the RIBA accreditation which has been awarded to the SLIIT School of Architecture within such a short time span, enabling us to offer a globally recognized Architecture degree to our students. We are here to ensure that our students gain the maximum benefits while under our wing. One of the key focuses of the SLIIT architecture programme is fostering the Sri Lankan Identity in architecture.

The school was established with the intention of providing the Sri Lankan students with an affordable quality education and training in architecture which is on par with international standards –yet possessing an authentic Sri Lankan flavour and identity to it,” stated Archt. Aishani Jayasinghe, Head of the School of Architecture at SLIIT. Exhibiting Architectural Prowess

The two Architectural Events – ‘Explore’ Architecture students’ work exhibition and ‘ArchiFest’ knowledge sharing sessions with open guest lectures and model making workshops were held in conjunction with the RIBA validation event and showcased the work done by the SLIIT School of Architecture. ÁrchiFest,’was a four day event which ended on 3rd February, having consisted of knowledge sharing sessions by ten renowned speakers who were Architects, Designers and Artists.

It was a successful event which saw a remarkable participation of students, architects and visitors at the discussion series and school children who participated in a model making competition together with the architecture students. The ‘Explore’ Architecture students work exhibition will be on display till the 8th of February. The SLIIT students will also be having a display of their work at the SLIA exhibition during the third week of February.

SLIIT School of Architecture- Empowering future generations

The SLIIT School of Architecture is located on the 7th and 8th floors of the new 14 storey academic building at the SLIIT Malabe campus. The comprehensive degree programme provides a theoretical and concept based approach to architecture. Moreover, students who gain exposure to nature, culture and contextual traditional architecture, provide inspirational sources for students when deriving design concepts combined with theoretical grounding.

The freedom and flexibility allowed in interpreting and pursuing an individual design agenda promotes unique design outputs from each student.

Design programmes introduced to students involve visits to actual sites and clients, encouraging them to come up with well-grounded design solutions. They are complemented by the research of subject matter, within the discipline and inter-disciplinary. With links to other disciplines and research work within SLIIT, students are encouraged to explore emerging technologies in their design programmes. A vast network of tutors drawn from practicing architects interact with students in their design programmes regularly to ensure the creative solutions are also realistic.

The B.Sc (Hons) Architecture degree has a full capacity of 180 students in all three years of study and the master’s degree has a capacity of 120 students in total for a period of two years. Presently the school has 34 staff members including a group of permanent, part time design tutors and visiting staff teaching at the Part 1 level.

The students enjoy designated individual work spaces in modern studio environments which are accessible throughout at any given time. The lecture rooms, computer labs, printing and technology workshops at SLIIT provide a study environment on par with international standards.

- Rochelle Palipane Gunaratne

HONOURS PASS (13)