Sri Lanka

The Nov/Dec 2015 issue of Domus Sri Lanka is dedicated to Ulrik Plesner.

As an architect of Danish descent with no ties to Sri Lanka, Ulrik Plesner’s time in Sri Lanka during the periods between 1958–1967 and 1982–1987 transformed and even set a precedent in the field of architecture in Sri Lanka. Starting with the measured drawings of historical buildings that he spearheaded and leading up to a community centered development project, his work articulates not only his influence but also his versatility as an architect. The latter is more so evident through his work in Israel – an altogether foreign territory that the architect embarked upon. Plesner can also be attributed for his part in laying the groundwork of an architectural fraternity in Sri Lanka; he was a mentor and a teacher as much as an architect, nurturing a young generation of architects in Sri Lanka during a time when there was only a handful of renaissance architects doing important work. This issue covers all of these aspects that span across the career of the architect. Many of the buildings and houses in Sri Lanka featured in this issue have been greatly altered or no longer in existence today. However, they mark the pages in the archives of architectural literature and continue to offer lessons as exemplary architecture that continue to inspire and influence generations of designers to come. Amongst the featured articles, Plesner in Sri Lanka offers a comprehensive overview of Ulrik Plenser’s career, covering all aspects of his influence and work; Ulrik PLesner and the Impact of Post-War Scandinavian Design in Sri Lanka, looks at the Plesner’s role as a significant link to networks of Scandinavian modern design and their underlying approaches and methods; “Learning from Plesner” is a personal account of a past student of Plesner and conveys the architect’s importance as a teacher, and “A Conversation with Ulrik” is a compilation of a candid discussion with Plesner held in 2013 and reveals the architect’s principles and views on architecture. Moreover, The House in Polontalawa, Ulrik’s Work in Israel and Ulrik’s Work in Sri Lanka are features that bring to light transformative and landmark creations by the architect spanning his career.