Semi-Public SpaceImpact of Traditional Space Planning on thes of Contemporary Sri Lankan Houses

Abstract

"Tradition"� is the energy of a society and the most valuable asset they have inherited from the past. Since a majority of client population with traditional roots are looking for houses with a traditional semblance, such houses are on high demand. As a result, the field of contemporary Sri Lankan architectural phenomena has addressed by various traditional elements and concepts. Socially and culturally sound semi-public domains such as verandas, living and dining areas are the prominent testimonials which attract clients’ demand for designs with traditional qualities. There is a contentious debate as to whether contemporary domestic spaces which “appear” as designs with traditional underpinnings are genuine intellectual application of traditional spaces for the betterment of occupants, or just Imitative and Insensible representation of traditional architecture. The main objective of the research is to evaluate traditional impacts and derive basic planning guidelines illustrating how to incorporate traditional space planning principles for contemporary houses. The first part of the research deals with a study of literature and a field survey conducted among selected pre-colonial and colonial Sri Lankan houses to accumulate the required data for evaluation and design concepts with a special reference given to semipublic domains. The second part is an analytical study of the semi-public spaces in three selected contemporary domestic buildings designed by three Sri Lankan master architects. Final part is the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the data and experiences gathered in the first two parts of the research. Plot size manipulation, spatial progression, visual axis, geometry of spaces, degree of enclosure, privacy and natural lighting were found as the key factors of space planning and defining spatial qualities of the traditional Sri Lankan houses. Design guidelines were developed based on above factors which help to design domestic semi-public spaces for the physical and psychological comfort of the users.