Unveiling Minnette de Silva, the groundbreaking Sri Lankan modernist architectural revolutionary
Minnette de Silva, a trailblazing architect and modernist pioneer from Sri Lanka, is set to have her story and projects illuminated in a new book titled "Minnette de Silva: Intersections". This comprehensive work, authored by Anooradha Iyer Siddiqi, is scheduled for release in 2024.
Born in 1918, de Silva rose to prominence as the founder of the Studio of Modern Architecture in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in 1947. She was one of the first women worldwide to establish and lead a professional architectural firm alone. Her journey began with training in Mumbai at Mistri and Bhedwar, under the tutelage of Perin Mistri, one of the first women in India to practice architecture.
The book "Minnette de Silva: Intersections" offers an intriguing exploration of de Silva's life and work, featuring new photography, drawings, and archival material. It is structured around themes of ecology, society, and heritage, providing a comprehensive insight into her designs and constructions of housing projects, public institutions, settlement planning, and experiments in fabrication and handicraft design, primarily in Sri Lanka and some in India.
De Silva's philosophy was to find a workable synthesis of traditional and modern architecture. This approach resonates with many young architects in the region, including those in India. She integrated 1920s continental European modernist design with organic materials and hand-fabricated elements by local craftspeople in her designs.
De Silva was not only a visionary architect but also an active participant in the anticolonial and universal franchise movements. She decided to live in Kandy, the center of Ceylon and the heart of the National tradition, and introduced local crafts into contemporary modern art to establish the principle of artist-craftsman involvement in architecture.
De Silva's life was marked by numerous achievements. She worked in the private office of Otto Koenigsberger, chief architect of the Princely State of Mysore, on a project developed under industrialist JRD Tata. Despite being from a Sinhalese-Burgher family, she was deeply involved in the anticolonial and universal franchise movements.
Her studies were interrupted by her participation in the Quit India protests, which caused her to be expelled. However, she later moved to London to complete her studies at the Architectural Association in London.
The upcoming book promises to shed light on de Silva's lesser-known aspects, providing a comprehensive account of her life and work. "Minnette de Silva: Intersections" by Anooradha Iyer Siddiqi is available for purchase at mackbooks.co.uk and Amazon. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in architecture, design, and the history of Sri Lanka and India.
