norman borlaug who led green revolution dies at 95

Well. generally I don't post non-architectural news on this blog. But this is an exception because this man was exceptional. Most probably the rice we eat; we eat because of this man.
The New York Times
Norman Borlaug 

packaging of the world

Joss sticks packed in a burnt wrap. Check out more packaging idea at  packaging of the world

architects associations doing meaningful things

Hanoi to restore ancient streets to mark its 1000th anniversary

The Vietnam Architects Association has recently begun a project to restore the Hang Dao – Hang Dau streets to preserve the special character of Hanoi architecture, as well as returning the ancient streets pictured by painter Bui Xuan Phai.

saigon-gpdaily.com 

two brothers living on a wall in rio de janeiro

Two brothers in Rio are living over the edge — literally: sleeping, working and eating on the side of a building 33 feet up in the air. They've attached to a bright red-and-yellow wall as part of an art exhibit in Rio's old center. (news item thanks to my mate chithaka)
via fox news

kaubôi bibappu

Space cowboy bebop (Kaubôi bibappu in japanese) "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"

Another good Anime, but  not from Miazaki san this time. This is from a guy called Watanabe. Apart from the fantastic story line, its worth just for its fantastically animated street scenery alone. 

 

epilogue for Ena De Silva house

Apparently the house is going to be relocated to 'Lunuganga' How this is being done is not clear yet. 

This incidentally, for whatever reason reminded me of an old story my mate Prasanna R. told me sometime back. Its about a mamoty. A particular farmer was swearing that it was the same old mamoty used by his father and grandfather and so on only that he had to change the handle sometime back and oh, the blade recently.
(Image via Sunday Times "A heritage house gets second chance")

new regional center for energy-efficient lighting in south asia launched in sri lanka

After many months of planning, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) partnered with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and the LRC to create a new lighting center, known as the Regional Center for Energy Efficient Lighting in Sri Lanka (RCL). Launched in April, the new center serves eight countries in South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The center is designed to advance sustainable lighting and make it affordable in South Asia to improve the well-being of the citizens and the countries within the region. (quoted from the LRC website)
Visit their Website

photographing divine structures

Waruna reveals the secrets behind architectural photography to Su Aziz of New Straight Times, Malaysia. (Well actually he doesn't! Reminds me of the moral of the 'Kung Fu Panda' storyline)

"The book would have merely recorded words and blueprints if not for the photographer, Waruna Gomis, 33, who lives and works in Kelaniya, a town close to Colombo in Sri Lanka." (Read full story here, via New Straight Times, Malaysia)

You can check out his other works here (1) and here (2)

Here is a link to the interview with Anji (Archt. Chelvadurai Anjalendran) regarding his new book 'Anjalendran - Architect of Sri Lanka' for which most, if not all photos (sic. haven't seen the book yet!) were by Waruna. (Read full story here, via New Straight Times, Malaysia)

random rust (cSLa #15)

random rust by arch. Peshali Perera

training course on lighting

Regional Centre for Lighting (RCL) will be conducting a two day training course on
lighting (for engineers / architechts /designers / planners). 

Dates: September 08, 09, 2009
Venue: BMICH, Colombo 07
Course Fee : Rs. 7,500
(inclusive of course material and lunch & refreshments)

Regional Centre for Lighting (RCL)
C/o Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority
3G -17, BMICH