Collaboration center: Connection between difference, present and future

Project idea

Aluthgama is famous for two things,
Tourism
Conflict - Sinhala, Muslim conflict 2014
1St Conflict - 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots in Kandy
2nd Conflict - 2014 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka (Aluthgama,
Dhargatown)
3rd Conflict - Sri Lankan anti-Muslim riots in kandy

Dealing with Conflict:
• we are dealing with real people and real issues, and these issues involve two cultures, two religions, two languages, and two different life styles.
• Every conflict is based on some issue and it is this issue, whether it is social, religious, personal or communal, that eventually becomes the source of a particular conflict.
• If both communities are determined to live together in harmony, it is important that both communities accommodate the values and the rights of the other community.
• Sinhalese and Hindus communities share long standing social and cultural links, and have common cultural and social customs.
• There are no cultural or religious links between the Sinhalese and the Muslims. Although Muslims live with the majority Sinhala population –practically everywhere in the country—most Muslims cannot even speak the language of the majority in the country.
• Muslims are a community living within a community. They never participate in any social or community activity.

People = Understand+Share+Strong+Human Being+Equality

Present situation+Understanding problems+Youths = Collaboration center = Learning+Sharing+Meeting

What is collaboration?
Collaboration is a working practice whereby individuals work together to a common purpose to achieve something, Shared workspaces are among the most visible entries in the collaboration space.

Site:
The most proper location is where easy access for all school children. Have potential to create local collaboration between two groups of people. The answer is the end of Dharga town, in between two schools, which are the two main schools In Dharga town. The site is stand among Buddhist and Islamic community and locate in Dharga town area, on the two main roads connecting between Horawala para Mathugama-Aluthgama road and Yatadola para Mathugama-Aluthgama road.~200m from Aluthgama- Mathugama Road. ~3.2Km from Aluthgama.

Design idea
“Community corridor”
Creating the path through the site to connect the area of the two communities, two schools and two main roads, which act as the street with multifunctional overlapping community activities along with the set of building blocks and open pavilions. And this corridor acts as the shortcut street between two roads and two schools. This scheme will improve interactions between communities.
A Street will treat each and every one in an equal manner so that there won’t be any discrimination for a selected category of a community. So the idea of a street is a successful and a practical way to overcome conflicts of a society. The harmony will automatically increase by the overlapping activities of the street without any outer force or influence.

Project description

User – Youth from Aluthgma – Dhargatown and surround the area
Client – National Youth Services Council Collaborate with Beruwala Urban Council.
Floor Area - 2430.11 Sq.m

Srilankan Youth:
Existence of a multi talented, discipline and dynamic youth population in a country is always considered a treasure which helps development of the particular country. As such every country gives a special recognition for the country’s youth. Srilanka too places utmost importance on the country’s youth to achieve her ambitious development targets in social and economic spheres.
Hence, Youth of Sri Lanka are also having an undertaking for economic and social up-liftment of the country. It is important to inculcate self-reliance in youths and directing them towards winning over those goals. The National Youth Services Council in Sri Lanka has been established with the aim of guiding the Sri Lankan youth in the proper direction to enable them to empower themselves to the fullest potential while contributing to nation’s prosperity.
The Youth Services Council was established under the Volunteer National Youth Services Act No. 11 of the year 1967 and was revised by the Act No. 52 of 1968. Over the years, activities of the Youth Council were expanded beyond volunteerism and subsequently the scope was revised again under the Youth Services Council Act No.69 of 1979 giving the status of a fully pledged youth development organization.

Vision and Mission:
Vision- An Empower community by Srilankan Youth
Mission- Facilitate Of Empower Community Of Srilanka To Face Life Challenges By Making Use Of Youth in Srilanka.

Values
1. Engagement of activities in a creative manner Give priority to the views of the youth in all activities of the organization.
2. Council staff to treat every stakeholder with a pleasant and positive attitude
3. Act in a manner constantly promoting multi cultural understanding and goodwill among youth as an organization which consist of youth of different cultures.
4. Undertaking of all activities ensuring integrity and responsibility.
5. Act with confidence and team spirit to face challenges

Objectives:
• Taking steps to create a morally accomplished patriotic generation of youth with complete personality and who are dedicated for human development.
• Building unity, friendship and cooperation within the youth population by gathering them under one organization devoid of all differences such as nationality, cast, religion and political divisions.
• Creating opportunities for the youth to present their inherent skills and capabilities.
• Providing youth with the knowledge on the economic, social and cultural requirements related to national development and persuading them for scientific thinking.
• Persuasion of youth towards the development of Arts, recreational, sports and cultural affairs and the conservation activities.
• Application of youth labour for development activities of the country and directing the generation of youth towards voluntary services.
• Adapting the youth towards democratic lifestyle.
• Utilizing the free time of youth in worthy and productive manner and creating platform for them to present their inherent capabilities and skills.
• Personality development and leadership training for youth.
• Providing a training on youth and community development.
• Encouraging the youth towards strengthening their economy.

Youth participation and selection process:
1. Age limit: between 17 - 29 years.
2. 40% of women's representation
3. Selection of youth with special occasions.
4. Selection of the participants with different nationalities.
5. Participation of youths who participate in various skills camp activities.
6. Selection of school leaders who are interested in social work.
7. Youths who are interested and empowered by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to inform youth of foreign countries.
8. Participation of other youth organizations representatives and school
prefects with the youth groups participating in the districts.

Brief Generation:
Youth - Organization - Service to Community of Public

Technical information

The three building blocks are made out of Exposed bricks and concrete and the open pavilions are made out of Steel tubes, Timber flooring and Zn/Al roofing.
The block A building includes:
Ground Floor: Entrance lobby, Reception counter, Administration(Admin office, Meeting room, Pantry with dinning), Waiting lobby, Medical center(Consultant’s room, Waiting area, Storage), Washrooms(Male, Female)
1st Floor: Library(Computer lab, Library admin, Technician room), Washrooms(Male, Female)
2nd Floor: Library(Book reading & lending section)

Block B includes:
Ground Floor: Entrance lobby, Open air theatre, Washrooms(Male, Female)
1st Floor: Fitness center(Fitness office, Washroom, Waiting lobby, Zumba fitness, Resting area, Washroom/Changing room)
2nd Floor: Fitness center(Gym, Washroom(Male, Female)
3rd Floor: Board Games area (Chess and Carrom play area)

Block C includes:
Ground Floor: Entrance lobby, Waiting lobby, Magazine reading area, Class room 01, Class room 02, Washrooms(Male, Female)
1st Floor: Waiting lobby, Performance gallery

And the Pavilions includes:

Pavilion A & B: Viewing deck with seating.
Pavilion C: Open dinning with community kitchen, Storage




Block B includes: