History of Architecture

(Sri Lanka Architecture)

Prepared by:
Angelo T. Orbino

Instructor:
Arch. Ryan Ortigas,uap
Geographical

Sri Lanka or Ceylon, is a large island in

the Indian ocean 32km (20 miles) off
the southern tip of the Indian
peninsula.
Ceylon has been a centre of
international trade
It has fine natural harbours.
Geological
Many kinds of building material are
exploited. This are widely used in wet
districts.
Granite
Limestone
Laterite
Sandstone
Clay of bricks
Roof tiles
Also encourage the quick growth of:

Soft and hard timber

Bamboo grasses for thatch and mats
Coconut trees
The woods of which is used for posts
and roofs the leaves for thatch and
decoration.
 This are use for building crafts for
the dry areas.
Teak
Satin
Hardwoods
 The topography was utilized in the
past to enhance architectural
effects
Tanks were built around rock out
crafts.
Cities, palaces and temples
constructed on hills and high
rocks.
 Climatic

Ceylon is divided into three

climatic zones:
Dry hot zone
Central wet region
Low-lying hot wet zone
In the south and southwest, with a
very heavy rainfall and high humidity ,
where buildings are solid walled, with
wide projecting eaves and verandahs,
and steeply-pitched roofs to ward off
rain and sun.
Social and historical

The recorded of history of Ceylon

covers about 2,500 years, for most
which there is a continuous stream of
evidence from both native and foreign
sources. there were three significant
periods in the development of the
island's cultural and political life.
The Anuradhapura period
(4th century B.C. To 10th century A.D.)

During this period the foundations

were laid for political, social and
artistic traditions, among the several
Sinhalese kings of this era noted for
their great building works.
The Polonnnaruwa period
(11th - 13th century).

The building of this was the

principal architectural
undertaking of King Purakrama
Baho the great
(12th century).
 The Kandyan period
(15th -19th century).

This period saw the division of

the country into several
kingdoms. the capital at Kandy in
an area initially undistributed by
foreign interference.
 Portuguese and Dutch introduced the
late renaissance .
Baroque into the colonial styles.
British brought a colonial Georgian.
Royal engineers colonial classic
influencing private construction.
Muslim seafarers and merchants had
little influence in architecture.
Architectural character

In Ceylon, architectural history begins

with the introduction of Buddhism from
India in the 3rd century B.C. when
durable buildings in brick and stone
appeared as opposed to perishable
wood.
 Anuradhapura Period-The earliest remains are:

The natural rock chambers, built for the hermits, with drip-
ledges to carry away rain water. Later these were developed
with walls to form an enclosure (rock temples).

Pillars and lintels survive as evidence of the framed

structural system used and the skill of masons and
sculptures.
Pillars have a significant place in the peristylar architecture
of Anuradhapura.
the Capital socketed into the top, is of a plain hexagonal
vase shape, with a carved abacus above and mouldings
between.
Sometimes the shaft and capital is cut in one piece.
Noteworthy feature of Sinhalese architecture
was the sensitivity shown towards the natural landscape and
its intimate relationship to the buildings.
The Jetavanaramaya
Jetavanaramaya

Former names Denanaka and

Denavehera

General information

Type Temple

Location Anuradhapura
, Sri Lanka

Height 122 m (400 ft)

Dimensions
2
Other 233,000 m (2,
dimensions 508,000 sq ft)

Technical details

Floor area 5.6 Hectares

 Polonnaruwa Period-The outstanding
architectural creation.

Cetiya-ghara,
Wata-da-ge" (Circular relic house)
Built in stone and brick
The polonnaruwa example is
exquisitely proportioned. A quality conspicuous
in many of the buildings.
The gateway, stairways and sculptured lions and
beasts recall Cambodia and Java two impressive
architectural
Monuments are Temples of Lankatilleke and
Gadaladeniya, both sited on rocky eminences.
Vatadage Temple, in Polonnaruwa

is a uniquely Sri Lankan

circular shrine enclosing a
small dagoba. The vatadage
has a three-tiered conical roof,
spanning a height of 4050
feet, without a center post, and
supported by pillars of
diminishing height.
Kandyan Period
In its typical form the Kandyan Style is an
architecture of wood, catering to the needs of a
simple but well-to-do agricultural civilization.
The Anuradhapura framed structure of pillars
and beams is continued but in timber, richly
carved with the traditional motifs.
Roofs are high pitched with wide eaves, slightly
curved, finished with small flat (shingles) terra
cotta tiles and eaves tiles (with bas-reliefs) all of
an ancient pattern.
These roofs are a striking feature in the
landscape many levelled, high peaked and visible
from afar.
 There are many building types existing
mostly monasteries with their temples, The
decorative art work is important.
Ancient motifs are use as an integral part
of the building,
such as windows with lacquered wood bars,
carved timber doorways, ornamental
metalwork door furniture, painted walls,
terra cotta relief with plaques and eaves
tiles.
All these arts are practiced with ancient
lion, lotus geese and makara motifs.
 The End
Thanks for listening
Questions
1. It has been the centre of
international trade.

A. Pakistan
B. India
C. Sri Lanka
D. Myanmar
2. This building materials are
widely used in wet districts.

A. Limestone, sandstone, and roof tiles

B. Teak, limestone, and roof tiles
C. Satin, sandstone, and hardwoods
D. Hardwoods, satin, and teak
 3. In Sri Lanka architecture, this is
use for building crafts for the dry
areas.

A. Teak, satin, hardwoods

B. Granite, hard timber, teak
C. Limestone, granite, hardwoods
D. Clay of bricks, coconut trees, satin
 4. Ceylon is divided into three
climatic zones:

A. Dry hot, wet cold and low-lying dry hot

zone
B. Dry hot, central wet region and low
lying dry hot zone
C. Central hot region, low-lying wet cold
zone and dry hot zone
5. In this period, their building was
the principal architectural
undertaking of King Purakrama
Baho the great

A. The Polonnnaruwa period

B. The Kandyan period
C. The Anuradhapura period
D. The Rashadaha period
 6. there were three significant periods
in the development of the island's
cultural and political life

A. The Polonnnaruwa, Kandyan, Anuradhapura

period
B. The Kandyan, Rashadaha, and Polonnaruwa
period
C. The Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and
Rashadaha period
D. The Rasahadaha, Kandyan, and
Anuradhapura Period
7. During this period the
foundations were laid for political,
social and artistic traditions,
among the several Sinhalese kings

A. The Polonnnaruwa period

B. The Kandyan period
C. The Anuradhapura period
D. The Rasahadaha period
8. In Kandyan Period, They
introduced the late enaissance.

A. Dutch and British

B. Portuguese and Dutch
C. Portuguese and Muslims
D. Indian and Muslim
9. It has been a center of
international trade.

A. Pakistan
B. India
C. Ceylon
D. Kandy
10. In Ceylon, architectural history
begins with the introduction of
Buddhism from India in what
century?

A. The 3rd century B.C.

B. The 2nd century B.C.
C. The 4th century B.C.
D. The 1st century B.C.
11. It has a significant place in the
peristylar architecture of Anuradhapura.

A. Temples
B. Stupas
C. Latticed Windows
D. Pillars
12. In what period does The
Jetavanaramaya temple belong?

A. Kandyan Period
B. Polonnaruwa Period
C. Anuradhapura Period
D. Rasahadaha Period
 13. Wata-da-ge means?

A. Non- Circular relic house

B. Circular relic house
C. Rectangular non-relic house
D. Pentagonal relic house
14. The Vatadage temple span a height
of_________?

A. 30-40 meters
B. 40-50 ft.
C. 50-60 meters
D. 30-40 ft.
15. This style is an architecture of wood,
catering to the needs of a simple but
well-to-do agricultural civilization

A. Jainyan style
B. Kanydan style
C. Kandyan style
D. Polonnaruwan style
16. In this period, their roofs are high
pitched with wide eaves, slightly curved,
finished with small flat, terra cotta tiles
and eaves tiles, all of an ancient pattern.

A. Polonnaruwa Period
B. The Anuradhapura period
C. The Rasahadaha period
D. Kandyan Period
17. In Kandyan Period, this motifs
are use as an integral part of the
building.

A. Ancient Motifs
B. Kandyan Motifs
C. Cultural Motifs
D. Historical Motifs
18. In Anuradhapura Period, these
materials survive as evidence of the
framed structural system used and the
skill of masons and sculptures.

A. Pillars and curtains

B. Pillars and lintels
C. Curtains and Lintels
D. Marbles and limestones
19. In this period, Monuments are Temples of
Lankatilleke and Gadaladeniya, both sited on
rocky eminences.

A. polonnaruwa period
B. Kandyan period
C. Anuradhapura period
D. Rasahadaha period
20. In this period, roofs are a striking feature in
the landscape many levelled, high peaked and
visible from afar.

A. Anuradhapura period
B. Polonnaruwa period
C. Rasahadaha period
D. Kandyan period