By NNN-LK News
Colombo : Sri Lanka’s tsunami reconstruction project in Kirinda has been selected as a finalist for the 2007 CNBC International Property Awards in Las Vegas in November.
The project is organized by Colliers International and the project was previously honoured at the MIPIM real estate awards in Cannes in March where it won the Best Residential Development award and received a Special Tribute award. Following its success at the summit a new prize was announced, the Green Building award.
Accordingly the 2007 CNBC International Property Awards will take place at the world-famous Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas on Nov 16.
The Kirinda project was nominated for the Best Architecture (multiple units) prize as one of the top four scorers in entries from around the world. The gala event coincides with the National Association of Realtors conference and expo in Las Vegas from Nov 13-16.
Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has welcomed the impact of the project. “The project has become the standard to compare with for ongoing tsunami reconstruction work in Sri Lanka.”
The architecture work of the project is done by Shigeru Ban – the architect hailed by Time Magazine as one of the Top 100 innovators of the 21st century.
He and his firm of architects donated their time to produce a radical vision that embraces local traditions and materials (the houses were constructed with rubber tree wood, coconut wood, teak, and sun-dried earthen blocks, natural materials chosen for their durability, strength and beauty) and conforms to the highest environmental standards. His design ensures that the houses can breathe in the heat and that air can circulate freely inside.
Many other project homes made from concrete force occupiers to sit outside during the hot dry season. Also, all wood for the project has been purchased from local tree farms, which has kept the money in the local economy. And in a first, 100% solar-powered street lighting has been introduced.
In January, 2005, Colliers International announced its initiative to raise USD 1,000,000 to master plan and carry out construction of 67 homes for 67 displaced families. To assist in this project, Colliers enlisted the help of world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban. With Ban providing the design and Colliers providing the initial funding, 67 permanent, great-looking and environmentally friendly homes are becoming a reality for the 67 families that make up the village.
Over the last year, Colliers’ tsunami reconstruction project has set itself apart from others, becoming the benchmark for other organizations and donors. The residents of the village were active in the design process from the beginning through five town hall meetings with the project team. Furthermore, the Colliers project is the only one to have master planned the community based on the residents’ original property lines and according to genuine title deeds.
The most basic goal of Colliers’ tsunami project is to build 67 new homes in the village; however the overall goal is to maintain the social and cultural structure of the inhabitants of Kirinda, while creating environments and infrastructure which will enhance life in and around the town.