The hiviatuwa Experiment: Rehabilitation Centre for Designer: Primall Peranegemace University of Moratuva/Moratuwa, Sri Lanka Advisor: Vidura Sri Nammuni, Senior Lecturer Department of Architecture ‘Our belief is that socially responsible architecture is created out of an internalized socially responsible attitude, Discussion with the users is of mited ‘value in this endeavor. Whats of value isthe ability tobroaden any design project into its social base and to subsequently identify a social probiem which incorpo- ‘ates an architectural component, the solution towhichis then sacially responsible Lichtecture. Such a teachingilearning process has been developed at the Department of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa and has since been known as The Moratuwa Experiment. ‘The Rehablitation Centre for Street Children was a “liv” project already selected and approved by 6 panel ae afina-year student thesis. The reasons for Selection vary 2 great deal and in this instance, asin all Moratuwa Experment teases, the student is made to look for the possible presence of a significant “peoblom” at the outset, which is subsequently made more complex (for educa tional purposes) by introducing other constraints o! locality, activity requirements, budget limitations, ete, This project had a good story of human suffering evoking rich sympathy inthe community; there was also acounter-reacton of apathy and Cynicism arising from a deeply class-conscious community: the site was close to ‘2 Buddhist temple, in a misture of low income residential'small comercial neighborhood: the “user'/cient had clearly definable habits/aspirationsivalue Systems; and the project was funded by aich” overseas charitable organization. More than destitution oF lack of love and care, the biggest problem seemed to be the “sense of freedom” among the potential users who had never been “confined” within buildings: yet who must appear to be normal if they are to be accepted, rehabilitated and absorbed into “normal” society and, ironically, the ‘Sense of Confinement architecture evokes. In addition, the funding cent required thatany program orarchitecture be made visibleand outstanding (thus advertising its lnolvement and boosting its reputation), The design approach, then, had 10 combine subtle and underplayed intervention so as not i overwhelm the user with high visiblity for the sake of the funding client. The idea was to create an architecture which was permanent yat non-confining: which was similar to the ‘Surrounding vernacular but had the impact of a product of the grand tradition. tt had to help while betraying to the outside, the hejping hand; t had to be one with the low income residences and small scale commercial establishments but stand out with a resolute ang cotermined profile ‘This projectis socially responsible because its architecture aids the reha- biltation process that happens atthe Centre. it does this by faciitating the users tabe atease. In this process, itis important io develop an insight into the behavior, lite styles, happenings and events in the users’ lives and to transform them into ‘applicable spatial concepts. The publi activities are arranged along a spine ina linear movement — itis the atmosphere ofthe familiar street but with subtle order, ‘The entrance is an extension of the road intersection (where boutiques similar to those in the vicinity ae placed) which leads tothe “street”; from the diagonal spine cf public activity (street) a walkway transits into a semi-public area and then 10 a private area where the family units ito which they retie from the “street” are Biased. Separating work and rest ara aecnntial ingredients of rehabilitation. The fogetherness of street Ife was retained by introducing clustered family units which ‘empty into a core of interaction, subtly ordering the street life sty. In plan form {and in three dimensional form the composition of spaces is small and staggered. lis relevance is twotold: to evoke a sense of movement and eventtuiness present inna street and to make the spaces belong tothe "child," by suggesting the sensei ee of freedom and happiness of childhood. The main spine opens onto tha temple fat the end, reminding passersty ofa life beyond, a beliet which helps them to ‘overcome temptation. The upper level spaces and ground level spaces become ‘one, flow info one another, and then graw into the exterior, thus helping ta contain, ‘without being contained. The administration uses the complex above and the rest ff the complex is attached to ir in a cluster that confers a sense of authority anc Control, without which such a centre would cease ta function Panel comments: Weincluded this project because twas submittedasan ‘example of The Moratuwa Experiment, a 10 year old project in the Architectural Department at the University ot Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. Its purpose is to make architecture more socially relevant by treating architecture and architectural education as a social endeavor. By fecusing on the internal process of architec: tural decision making, The Woratuwa Experiment attempts to link Western concepts of poycholagy with Buddhist and Hindu principles, Students approach all projecs by relating them to larger societal issues. It's interesting thatthe two Projects racelvad from south and southeast Asia both deal with sree children, an important worrewide problem, yet one that recelvas itie coverage in the Western press. "Ne were impressed withthe cence of humanity that is apparent from the Grawings ard climatological appropriateness of the building. “The program {davelopment and the spatial design were motivated by strong social goals.