Conversation: Designing for Ecological Coexistence

Geoffrey Bawa Trust

Join architect Sunela Jayewardene and ecologist Chaturangi Wickramaratne to discuss how design can meet the needs of both humans and nature.

Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka

In January 2026, the Geoffrey Bawa Trust and partners launched the innovative Moonamal Award for Excellence in Design for Ecological Coexistence. This event will expand upon this theme and examine how interdisciplinary collaboration across architecture, urban planning, and infrastructure can bridge the gap between design and ecology. Bringing together experts from across design and environmental studies, the discussion will explore the Award’s four central design principles: decentring the human, reversing environmental degradation, fostering regeneration, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. This is the inaugural event in a series which will lead up to the opening of applications in August 2026, alongside further details on the Award fellowship.

Chaturangi Wickramaratne&nbsp;Chaturangi is an expert in sustainable natural resource management and wetland conservation. Her interdisciplinary research looks at the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus and how cross-sectoral collaboration can address complex environmental challenges.&nbsp;Chaturangi leads on wetland-based projects for the International Water Management Institute in Sri Lanka and was the institution’s Ramsar Convention representative for 2022-2025.Wickramaratne actively engages with academics, policy makers, communities and youth organisations, and works to strengthen evidence-based wetland management through IWMI’s role on the National Wetland Steering Committee. Sunela JayewardeneSunela is an environmental conservationist, activist, and one of Sri Lanka’s leading environmental architects. Inspired by pre-colonial cultural traditions, her award-winning projects are consistently guided by ecological sustainability. Sunela co-founded Sri Lanka’s Federation of Environmental Organisations in 2012 and served as its first Chairperson.Sunela’s award-winning architectural projects have been listed amongst the Best Hotels in the World by NatGeo, as well as in CondéNast, Fodor’s, Best Design for Asia Pacific, and LEEDS Platinum.Now retired from architecture, Sunela lives at Dunvila, her rewilded forest on the border of Wasgamuwa National Park, in Central Sri Lanka.

Location: Main hall, Goethe-Institut, 39 R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U7okBhf6SoG1q9en8Parking: Please be aware that parking is not available at the venue. Visitors are advised to park on R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, use ride-sharing services or arrange for drop-off and collection.

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Conversation: Designing for Ecological Coexistence

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