Himeth De Silva - BSc(Hons) Architecture - Year 02 - 2022

HIMETH DE SILVA

PORTFOLIO 2022 BSc Architecture

Hello there! I’m Himeth.

I started my journey to become an Architect in 2021, after completing my Advanced Level exams in 2020. Little did I know that this beautiful art of spaceshifting and place-making would ignite a passion, deep inside of me. Currently being a 3rd year student at SLIIT School of Architecture, I have observed how I grew to appreciate different kinds of aesthetics after each design project. I believe that Spirituality connects our roots with the Universe. Therefore, most of the designs I’ve done so far are connected with intriguing spiritual concepts which makes them unique in a way. I believe that designing for the spirit, enables the users to connect with each other in a way that is wholesome.

Himeth De Silva 2022 Portfolio

CONTENT

Resume

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BSc Year 02 Semester 02

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The Mandala of Earth

2022 Portfolio Himeth De Silva

RESUME SOFTWARE SKILLS • • •

AutoCAD Revit Photoshop

Fairly Good Intermediate Intermediate

PERSONAL SKILLS • • •

Creative Thinking Critical/logical Thinking A good team player

LANGUAGES • • •

Sinhalese English Chinese

GENERAL • • • •

Artist Designer Art of Divination Photography

Himeth De Silva 2022 Portfolio

Native Fairly Good Beginner

+ 94 777730551 himethdesilva@gmail.com

Himeth De Silva (@itshimeth) • Instagram photos and videos 135/36, Jaya Mawatha, Neelammahara Road, Maharagama.

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EDUCATION Primary and Secondary Education Grade 1-5 President’s College, Maharagama.

Grade 6-11 Thurstan College, Colombo 07.

Grade 12-13 Nalanda College, Colombo 10.

Higher Studies Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology

BSc. Architecture (ongoing)

WORK EXPERIENCE 1. Sumith Ajantha Architects

2 weeks (December 2022)

ACHIEVEMENTS • • •

GCE A/L (Local Syllabus) 3Cs 1A GCE O/L (Local Syllabus) 9As Won the title “Pentathlete of the Day” twice, at the quiz competition organized by TV1.

2022 Portfolio Himeth De Silva

02

THE MANDALA OF EARTH POTTERY CENTER IN BIYAGAMA

Himeth De Silva 2022 Portfolio

Project type

Pottery Centre

Site Location

Biyagama - Sri Lanka

Duration

Nov 2022 – Dec 2022

Software Used

Sketchup AutoCAD Photoshop

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PROJECT SUMMARY Pottery is the art of creating objects and using earth. The pottery of Sri Lanka is one of the traditional small industries which has a very long history. The history of pottery in Sri Lanka goes back to the second century BC. Pottery has become unbroken tradition that was passed from one generation to other yet there is evidence for pottery imported from various places in the world. That proves pottery items were one of the main goods which was traded in international trading in ancient Sri Lanka. This Design project will be to study the activity of a Pottery centre, by understanding its functional requirements, current issues and to create a new Pottery centre to uplift the traditional pottery industry and make it viable for the traditional potters.

The Mandala of Earth is a Pottery Centre designed for Biyagama, a commercial city in Sri Lanka. Deriving its concept from ‘pot making using the potter’s wheel’, this design makes use of sacred geometry to create a functional space which is attracted by tourists because of its connection to ancient Sri Lankan heritage. The design consists of the primary functional spaces for the pot-making process, and other attractive spaces to promote tourism. This Pottery Centre acts as a tourist attraction which promotes the art of Red Pottery industry of Sri Lanka throughout the world.

Production

Wellness

Restaurant

Market

Academy

Library

Accommodation

2022 Portfolio Himeth De Silva

Himeth De Silva 2022 Portfolio

DESIGN PROBLEM Currently, the traditional pottery industry in Sri Lanka faces many challenges and it is considered as an industry which fades away day by day. The main reason for this is the inability of the current generation of potters to pass it down to the new young generation. Many does not seem to know the huge potential residing in this industry.

The economy of Sri Lanka is going through tough times. This current crisis has led to significant psychological distress among people and especially among the youth due to unemployment. This mental distress and anxiety limits the capacity and potential of humans, subduing their truest self.

2022 Portfolio Himeth De Silva

DESIGN SOLUTION Cultivating mindfulness is the key to eliminate mental stress, and pottery is an artistic meditation which cultivates mindfulness.

By introducing pottery as an industry with a great potential not only in terms of economy, but also in terms of spirituality and mental well-being, the traditional pottery industry can reach a new level and thrive in the hands of an innovative, conscious and a healthy new generation.

"Shaping a lump of clay consciously is like drawing a Mandala"

Himeth De Silva 2022 Portfolio

DESIGN GENERATION As for the concept, a sacred Mandala was taken, put into the site and was considered as the basic grid line for the whole design.

The ‘Metatron’s Cube’ depicts the balance between masculine and feminine, and the stability of the physical structure. The massing of the building was done based on the usage and users of each section. The design as a whole gives off an attractive, ancient and a mysterious ambience rich in Sri Lankan culture.

1st FLOOR PLAN

2nd FLOOR PLAN

ROOF PLAN 2022 Portfolio Himeth De Silva

SECTION XX’

SECTION YY’

Himeth De Silva 2022 Portfolio

The Mandala of Earth is a design with the aim of promoting Red-clay industry as the main Pottery Centre of Sri Lanka as well as a Spiritual Wellness Centre for local and foreign community for their mental wellbeing. It focuses on uplifting and empowering youth in such a way that they embrace the Sri Lankan culture and take it to the world.

Bubble Diagram

Zoning

2022 Portfolio Himeth De Silva

FRONT ELEVATION

RIVER-SIDE ELEVATION

Himeth De Silva 2022 Portfolio