The Geoffrey Bawa Awards were conceptualised in 2007 to recognise and reward outstanding examples of contemporary Sri Lankan architecture. The Geoffrey Bawa Awards scheme is modelled on the awards scheme of the "Aga Khan Trust for Culture" in Geneva, widely acknowledged as having had a significant impact on the architecture of developing countries. Deshamanya Bawa received the Aga Khan’s Special Award for a Lifetime’s Achievement in Architecture in 2001.
For the 2020 Geoffrey Bawa Award the "Santhi Children Home" was shortlisted. The Design Build Project led by our Associate Professorship of Architectural Design and Timber Construction was built in Rakwana, Sri Lanka in 2017.
During the winter term of 2016 / 17 the project of the real studio was to design an orphanage for abandoned or abused children of Tamilian tea pickers. The orphanage was to be run by the Buddhistic monks of the Sri Bodhiraja Foundation. The site is situated on the backside of Sri Lanka´s rainforest reserve Sinharaja Forest in the South of the island at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level.
The main questions that arouse from the project brief were: How do such children actually like to live within the Buddhist and Hindhuist culture? How could such a place for children ranging from 5 to 18 years actually work? How can this place adapt to the needs and possibly grow? How can a building structure be developed by using sustainable materials and interpretations of vernicular building techniques?
These questions have been answered by the group of students in a very unique way. The core of the design can be seen in the protective circular shape of the building, which provides a secure feeling of the new home which at the same time allows to communicate with the surrounding landscape due to it´s three community areas which structure the building. The huge slope of about 3,5 meters difference of height allowed the design to provide a view on the Sri Pada, the holy mountain also known as "Adams Peak", from the upper part of the building.
The Awards Ceremony, scheduled initially for July 23, 2020 with a guest lecture to be delivered by Glenn Lowry, has been postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19.