Encounter Minnette de Silva, Sri Lanka's pioneering modernist architect
Minnette de Silva, a pioneer of modernist architecture in Sri Lanka, is the focus of a new book titled "Minnette de Silva: Intersections." The monograph, penned by architectural historian Anooradha Iyer Siddiqi, is set to be released in 2024 and is now available for pre-order at mackbooks.co.uk and Amazon.
Born into a Sinhalese-Burgher family, De Silva was an active participant in the anticolonial and universal franchise movements. Her early life was marked by a passion for art and architecture, which led her to meet town planner Oliver Weerasinghe, who introduced her to the field.
After her studies were interrupted by her participation in the Quit India protests, causing her to be expelled, De Silva continued her education in Mumbai at Mistri and Bhedwar. There, she trained under Perin Mistri, one of the first women in India to practice architecture.
De Silva's philosophy was to find a synthesis between traditional and modern architecture. She lived among Kandyan craftsmen and artists, and took private classes in modern weaving to better understand the work of the craftspeople she engaged.
In 1956, De Silva established one of the first professional architectural offices as a sole female head in Sri Lanka. Her designs integrated 1920s continental European modernist elements with organic materials and hand-fabricated crafts native to Kandy, Sri Lanka.
The book, "Minnette de Silva: Intersections," is structured around themes of ecology, society, and heritage, with detailed presentations of her significant projects built across Sri Lanka. It highlights De Silva's story and projects, illustrated with new photography, drawings, and archival material.
After working in the private office of Otto Koenigsberger, chief architect of the Princely State of Mysore, De Silva returned to Sri Lanka and continued to make her mark on the architectural landscape. Her work resonates with many young architects in the region, including those in neighboring India.
Siddiqi notes that De Silva was an active participant on construction sites, engaging engineers and fabricators. The book was researched with Methmini Kariyakarawana.
"Minnette de Silva: Intersections" is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of architecture, modernism, and the intersection of tradition and innovation. Pre-order your copy today to learn more about this remarkable architect and her groundbreaking work.
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