• About
  • Contact
  • T&C
  • My Account
No Result
View All Result
Archalley
  • Home
  • Projects
    • Commercial & Offices
    • Hospitality Architecture
    • Industrial & Infrastructure
    • Interior Design
    • Landscape & Urbanism
    • Public Architecture
    • Refurbishment
    • Religious Architecture
    • Residential Architecture
  • Academic
    • Research
    • Student Projects
    • Submit
  • News
  • Articles
  • Events
Archalley
  • Home
  • Projects
    • Commercial & Offices
    • Hospitality Architecture
    • Industrial & Infrastructure
    • Interior Design
    • Landscape & Urbanism
    • Public Architecture
    • Refurbishment
    • Religious Architecture
    • Residential Architecture
  • Academic
    • Research
    • Student Projects
    • Submit
  • News
  • Articles
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Archalley
No Result
View All Result
Home Academic Student Projects

Resilient Resettlement

ARCHALLEY by ARCHALLEY
February 6, 2017
in Academic, Student Projects

Post Disaster Reconstruction at Poonagala

For the Plantation Community Displaced due to Meeriyabedda Landslide



Level V (Architecture) Project in 2015

by Yashodhara Ranasinghe

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka



In October 2014, a huge landslide struck Sri Lanka in the district of Badulla- a hilly region, which caused many fatalities and left people missing forever. This lead to a whole community of line-house dwellers being flushed away and buried by dawn, while some victims were still sleeping. It became Sri Lanka’s second largest natural disaster; the first being the Tsunami, within recent history. The Meeriyabedda tea estate disappeared from the geographical map and people who were displaced were retained in schools that served as temporary camps. By 2015 they are still in the same camps as there is nowhere to go and no resettlement plans are being implemented. However, the government has begun planning for a resettlement program for these people and to launch it in a massive scale throughout the whole tea estate labor sector.

Responding to all above issues, this project is a ‘resettlement program’ for the line house community who was displaced due to a devastating landslide. This project is to be launched as a time concerned, low cost building system to provide a proper solution for areas that are vulnerable to landslides, and at the same time to support the native communal values of the community, to familiarize and move forward with the new site and the system.

The project is restricted and challenged by its environmental context, social and cultural context, economical context as well as the technological context. In order to tackle these challenges, the project is structured based on two considerations, which are the Generic and Specific implementation of the problem solving process.

Since the existing site is not safe enough, the plan is to relocate and reinterpret the village as a self-sustained community. Hence the zoning was done with certain inspirations of the destroyed community and the project was designed in two phases. Part one is housing clusters with regional material- locally available and discarded, simple, regional and low scale technology and the available unskilled labor force. Part two is to develop the village center with some important facility buildings by manipulating the same systems into a larger scale.



Accordingly, the design is approached in two parallel ways:

  • As a landslide mitigation proposal: Project specific bottom up principles for a landslide-prone area arederived by referring hillside guidelines, landslide-prone area guidelines and special guidelines for Meeriyabedda. The total scheme, building system, structure and materiality are inspired by these ‘technical principles’. Technical Principles (ref. – Guidelines developed and issued by NBRO (National Building Research Organization) and UDA (Urban Development Authority), general data, landslide research data)


  • Plantation community as a specific social category: The overall layout, spatial planning and small scaledetails are inspired from different plantation settlements (User comfortable Physical setup). Spatial Principles (personal analysis) (Technical and spatial principles appear in the panel as a graphic). The whole scheme would not be built at the same time, but the elements of the scheme would grow gradually. Therefore, all the possible details and growth restrictions are specified in the project and they are quite tolerant to errors that may be caused due to unskilled labor. Even though one housing prototype is introduced, there are more than 300 horizontal and vertical growth options. Hence, at the end, the houses would differ to one to another even within the scheme, as the user requirement of growing pattern, preferences of detailing and affordability of the user differs from one another.

Tags: Meeriyabedda LandslidePlantation CommunityPoonagalaPost Disaster ReconstructionResettlementSri LankaUniversity of MoratuwaYashodhara Ranasinghe

ShareTweetPinShareSendSendShareShareShareScan
Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

A Private Heaven in Crowded Neighbourhood

Next Post

Layered House

ARCHALLEY

ARCHALLEY

Related Posts

Mechatronic Research & Development and Educational Park
Student Projects

Mechatronic Research & Development and Educational Park

June 21, 2019
Resort Hotel at Calido Beach, Kalutara
Student Projects

Resort Hotel at Calido Beach, Kalutara

December 24, 2018
A Moving Story
Student Projects

A Moving Story

April 1, 2018
Center for Seniors
Student Projects

Center for Seniors

October 14, 2017
Next Post
Layered House

Layered House

Tropical Delight

Tropical Delight

Architect ’17

Architect '17

Ad

We're on YouTube

Subscribe

Follow us on Facebook

Trending

Roofing Finishes for Sri Lanka
Articles

Roofing Finishes for Sri Lanka


July 31, 2025
Santhanabhavanam
Residential Architecture

Santhanabhavanam


July 29, 2025
Neo-Glitch
News

Neo-Glitch


July 28, 2025
Beyond the Spotlight
Articles

Beyond the Spotlight


July 24, 2025

We're on YouTube

Subscribe

Follow us on Facebook

ADVERTISEMENT

Drawn from Experience - Kosala Weerasekara reflects on the lessons, evolution, and depth gained through years in the field.

Watch the Full Video Now on Facebook and YouTube
Links in the Bio

#Archalley #ArchitectKosalaWeerasekar #KozysCanvas #ArchitecturalJourney #DesignExperience #SriLankanArchitecture #ArchitectureWithDepth

Aug 1

Open
Drawn from Experience - Kosala Weerasekara reflects on the lessons, evolution, and depth gained through years in the field.

Watch the Full Video Now on Facebook and YouTube 
Links in the Bio 

#Archalley #ArchitectKosalaWeerasekar #KozysCanvas #ArchitecturalJourney #DesignExperience #SriLankanArchitecture #ArchitectureWithDepth

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗤 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲

Architects: The Silent Architect
Project Architect: Thilina Wijesiri & Gayathri Kumari
Design Team: Thilina Wijesiri, Jeewantha Prabodhini & Kasun Senarathne
Location: Narahenpita, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Ganidu Balasuriya Photography

A fashion brand’s HQ like no other—Carnage’s new home is stitched together with concrete, culture, and creative chaos. Think fabric labs, chill zones, and industrial charm… all tailored to inspire. This isn’t just an office—it’s a statement.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://archalley.com/carnage-hq-office/

#CarnageHQ #WorkspaceGoals #SriLankaDesign #TheSilentArchitect #Archalley

Jul 30

Open
𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗤 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲

Architects: The Silent Architect
Project Architect: Thilina Wijesiri & Gayathri Kumari
Design Team: Thilina Wijesiri, Jeewantha Prabodhini & Kasun Senarathne
Location: Narahenpita, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Ganidu Balasuriya Photography

A fashion brand’s HQ like no other—Carnage’s new home is stitched together with concrete, culture, and creative chaos. Think fabric labs, chill zones, and industrial charm… all tailored to inspire. This isn’t just an office—it’s a statement.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://archalley.com/carnage-hq-office/

#CarnageHQ #WorkspaceGoals #SriLankaDesign #TheSilentArchitect #Archalley

Introducing Kozy’s Canvas — Where Architecture is not just Designed, but Lived.

Watch the Full Video on Facebook & YouTube
Links in the Bio

Special Thanks to Architect Kosala Weerasekara for featuring Kozy`s Canvas with Archalley

@kosala_weerasekra
@kwcarchitects
#Archalley #KozyCanvas #ArchitectKosalaWeerasekara #HomeStudioDesign #ArchitecturalSpaces #CreativeLiving #ModernArchitecture #SriLankanArchitecture #ArchitectureInspiration

Jul 29

Open
Introducing  Kozy’s Canvas — Where Architecture is not just Designed, but Lived.

Watch the Full Video on Facebook & YouTube
Links in the Bio 

Special Thanks to Architect Kosala Weerasekara for featuring Kozy's Canvas with Archalley 

@kosala_weerasekra
@kwcarchitects
#Archalley #KozyCanvas #ArchitectKosalaWeerasekara #HomeStudioDesign #ArchitecturalSpaces #CreativeLiving #ModernArchitecture #SriLankanArchitecture #ArchitectureInspiration

Rearrange. Reimagine. Revive your bedroom.

Small layout shifts can make a huge difference — more space, better flow, and a vibe that finally feels right.
Your room deserves a glow-up, and it starts here.

Read More: https://archalley.com/how-to-arrange-a-bedroom/

#Archalley #BedroomArrangement #HowtoArrangeBedroom #RoomReset #BedroomUpgrade #DesignSmarter #SpaceThatSpeaks #HomeStyleInspo #LayoutLove #ModernBedroomGoals

Jul 26

Open
Rearrange. Reimagine. Revive your bedroom. 

Small layout shifts can make a huge difference — more space, better flow, and a vibe that finally feels right.
Your room deserves a glow-up, and it starts here.

Read More: https://archalley.com/how-to-arrange-a-bedroom/

#Archalley #BedroomArrangement #HowtoArrangeBedroom #RoomReset #BedroomUpgrade #DesignSmarter #SpaceThatSpeaks #HomeStyleInspo #LayoutLove #ModernBedroomGoals

A canvas of light, form, and intention.

Step closer into Kozy’s Canvas — the evolving personal space of Architect Kosala Weerasekara, where creativity meets everyday living.

Coming soon on Facebook & YouTube.

#Archalley #KozyCanvas #ArchitectKosalaWeerasekara #Teaser #ComingSoon #ArchitectureUnfolded #ModernSriLankanArchitecture #DesignInProgress #CreativeLiving

Jul 26

Open
A canvas of light, form, and intention.

Step closer into Kozy’s Canvas — the evolving personal space of Architect Kosala Weerasekara, where creativity meets everyday living.

Coming soon on Facebook & YouTube.

#Archalley #KozyCanvas #ArchitectKosalaWeerasekara #Teaser #ComingSoon #ArchitectureUnfolded #ModernSriLankanArchitecture #DesignInProgress #CreativeLiving

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗮
Architects: Tectonic Architects
Principal Architect: Gayan Karunaratne & Anjalee Pallage
Location: Nawala, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Shakir Jamaldeen

A serene urban escape in Nawala—this contemporary home blends tropical greenery, open spaces, and sustainable design for modern family living.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://archalley.com/residence-at-nawala/

#archalley #NawalaResidence #SriLankanArchitecture #TropicalModernism #SustainableDesign #ContemporaryHome #GreenArchitecture #UrbanOasis #ModernLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #TectonicArchitects #ColomboHomes #designınspiration

Jul 23

Open
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗮
Architects: Tectonic Architects
Principal Architect: Gayan Karunaratne & Anjalee Pallage
Location: Nawala, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Shakir Jamaldeen

A serene urban escape in Nawala—this contemporary home blends tropical greenery, open spaces, and sustainable design for modern family living.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://archalley.com/residence-at-nawala/

#archalley  #NawalaResidence #SriLankanArchitecture #TropicalModernism #SustainableDesign #ContemporaryHome #GreenArchitecture #UrbanOasis #ModernLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #TectonicArchitects #ColomboHomes #designınspiration

Step into the space where an architect lives and works.
Stay tuned for the full reveal of Architect Kosala Weerasekara’s home and office, a space where life and design coexist seamlessly.

#Archalley #ComingSoon #ArchitecturalTeaser #KosalaWeerasekara #HomeOfficeDesign #ArchitectureSriLanka

Jul 23

Open
Step into the space where an architect lives and works.
Stay tuned for the full reveal of Architect Kosala Weerasekara’s home and office, a space where life and design coexist seamlessly.

#Archalley #ComingSoon #ArchitecturalTeaser #KosalaWeerasekara #HomeOfficeDesign #ArchitectureSriLanka

Calling all design students!
Get an opportunity to publish your academic projects on Archalley.
Submit your most outstanding work for a chance to be featured and recognized.

Submit now: www.archalley.com/submit-academic

#ArchitectureStudents #AcademicPublication #DesignRecognition #Archalley #StudentProjects

Jul 22

Open
Calling all design students!
Get an opportunity to publish your academic projects on Archalley.
Submit your most outstanding work for a chance to be featured and recognized.

Submit now: www.archalley.com/submit-academic

#ArchitectureStudents #AcademicPublication #DesignRecognition #Archalley #StudentProjects
Facebook Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn Twitter

A platform to showcase and inspire, Archalley connects you with unique architectural and design works that elevate awareness and appreciation across diverse communities in the region.

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Refund Policy

Categories

  • Commercial & Offices
  • Hospitality Architecture
  • Industrial & Infrastructure
  • Commercial & Offices
  • Hospitality Architecture
  • Industrial & Infrastructure
  • Interior Design
  • Landscape & Urbanism
  • Public Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • Landscape & Urbanism
  • Public Architecture
  • Refurbishment
  • Religious Architecture
  • Residential Architecture
  • Refurbishment
  • Religious Architecture
  • Residential Architecture
Submit Your Project

© 2024 Archalley™ | All Rights Reserved | Designed & Developed by BitLab (Pvt) Ltd ✨

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Projects
    • Commercial & Offices
    • Hospitality Architecture
    • Industrial & Infrastructure
    • Interior Design
    • Landscape & Urbanism
    • Public Architecture
    • Refurbishment
    • Religious Architecture
    • Residential Architecture
  • Academic
    • Research
    • Student Projects
    • Submit
  • News
  • Articles
  • Events

© 2025 Archalley™ | All Rights Reserved | Designed & Developed by BitLab (Pvt) Ltd ✨