"Kamatha" - The Performing Arts Center for Kaluthara, Sri Lanka

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

Exposure to contemporary trends in performing art and new-found appreciation of the traditional art forms define the next generation audience in Sri Lanka. The interpretation of the centre for performing arts in Kalutara is focused on the fusion of these two.
 
The building reflects the traditional “kamatha” which was in a way the centre piece of Sri Lankan performing arts for centuries. The main design intentions of this scheme are the reinterpretation of characteristics of this traditional space; such as permeability, spaciousness and convertibility.

Project description

Design innovation

a) Functionality

•Since community appreciate free spacious spaces majority of the spaces are on that concept ( convertible classrooms, open air theatres etc)

•Most of the spaces are informal spaces which people can create their own comfortable spaces while very few spaces are semi public and private
(offices, class rooms, auditorium etc)

•Design creates shades by itself which essential to create a public space

b) Spatial planning

•There is a play of spaces including triple heights, open to sky, narrow shaded which directs the people towards the scenery of river while creating resting spaces during this journey.

•Different levels and different viewing angles in the building open the users to view of vistas which avoid the unnecessary fatigues and keeps them active

•Undisturbed heights and volumes of the class rooms keeps user or active and comfortable

c) Creative ideation

•Art is not a something rigid it has a flow. Just like an analogue signal. Same language has depicted by the building through its shape, angles and spaces

d) Critical response
•Society is laying between modern trends and old familiar trends. They don’t have places like “kamatha” anymore. Yet they are not familiar with modern trending buildings too

•Here modern technology has integrated with their familiar spaces. Also, exposed structure will remind their temporary structure systems and this can be easily copy by the society and they will start to use these types of construction methods to their large-scale buildings

•This will promote new building materials other than concrete and also people will take precedents and inspire from timber facades (which is a green building material)

•This place creates and develop mutual interactions among people and create a platform for their folk culture and new trends of performing arts.


-Critical and forward thinking

•We can create most of the communal buildings on pilotis which creates public spaces underneath
•Hidden and covered river front has opened to public through this building flow
•Still people are fear to deviate from box type design forms, this will reduce that fear to a certain extent and people will start to think beyond the bounds
•This language will create an iconic building and public attraction will develop a successful cultural hub there

Technical information

Green and sustainable design concept

a) Climate, energy and water

•Operable louver facades always welcome ventilation from river side as will as middle atrium creates cross ventilation which called as passive cooling systems
•Same time light will come through middle atrium as well as through louvers and glass facades
•Building has oriented to face south west monsoonal rain and sun path
•Windmills has proposed near river as an energy source as well as aesthetic component


b)Building material and ecological environment

•Minimized the usage of materials like concrete and replaces it with recyclable materials like steel
•Majority of the façade is wooden which is a green material
•Natural ground has saved and building is on pilotis

c)Indoor environment quality

•Spacious spaces always with a river front wind flow which brings comfort.
•Heights reduce hot air collection as well as pleasing to eye, same time colours and vistas also pleasing to eye.
•Natural light has introduced as much as possible but controlled through louvers.
•Cupboards and seating are not compacted and helps to arrange the Spaces

d) Green innovation practice
•Building details are exposed and easily repaired by local technicians
•Whether shield timer and steel are long lasting and can be reuse during alterations too.
•Facades and building components can remove part by part so it is easily to maintain them and while in the maintenance building is still functional