A faculty led study tour “Intercultural Dialogue Through Design, known globally as “iDiDe Sri Lanka Building Ampara” was conducted by the School of Architecture and Built Environment with strategic partner institutions, University of Moratuwa Sri Lanka, Manipal University India and International Islamic University Malaysia. The study tour was a recipient of a $30K New Colombo Plan funding grant in 2016. Deakin’s involvement with Ampara began in 2015. The project supported the work of Colombo-based Aspirations Education Foundation (AEF) and Melbourne-based Art Building Children’s Dreams (ABCD Inc.) in the continued improvement of livelihoods, income generation, education and empowerment in the rural Sri Lankan eastern province known as Ampara.

In January 2016, 50 students from disciplines in Architecture and Built Environment from three countries (Australia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia) worked to create a vision for Ampara that introduced a series of initiatives focused upon sustainable rural infrastructure development. The holistic approach aimed to empower rural communities by achieving short term and long-term capacity building. An integral sustainable research design (ISD) framework was adopted and provided embedded student learning in design. Forums with stakeholders and members of local community based organizations (CBO) conducted across several sites resulted in a community based self-build approach. Three architectural prototypes being Community-based Organization Facility (CBO Building), Adaptable Classroom, and Low-Cost House were conceptualized appropriate to the needs of Ampara.

In January 2017, another 40 students from Deakin, Moratuwa and new strategic partner, Manipal University India collaborated to progress realization of the project. The concept of “Diriya Mansala” was employed to the CBO building proposed, embodying the Sinhala meaning for “a place of strength and courage to gather”. Prior to the visit to Ampara, students raised $5K to support the procurement of building materials and labor costs for a CBO facility sited in Arunalu, Polwatta. The building will accommodate a multipurpose hall, computer lab, kitchen, guesthouse and service spaces. Community activities that will operate out of this facility include weaving workshops, language and IT training. The successful outcomes included the Arunalu community adopting the design for the CBO building, site survey, context analysis and materials study. Recommendations for innovated sustainable applications of local materials and environmentally appropriate construction techniques were embraced. Adjunct on the ground outcomes included design and fabrication of six octagonal swings gifted and installed in local schools, in addition to facility management appraisals and improvements to the Inginiyagala District Hospital.

The opening exhibition of works from the Building Ampara project were exhibited in Colombo on January 27. Future exhibitions will be held at Deakin Waterfront Campus, Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka and Faculty of Architecture at Manipal University India.

The team would like to thank everyone that has contributed to the fundraising efforts for the project. The $5000 that was raised will go towards materials and labour to realise the future “Diriya Mansala” building.