THE GARDEN PAVILLIONS
Design Agency
Haus.Inc
Design Consultant
Ranmini Herath
The Garden Pavilion is a proposed outdoor extension to Mana Suwa Piyasa, the Psychiatry Unit of Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH), Kalubowila, Sri Lanka. Designed to communicate a weightless and calm atmosphere, these spaces shall predominantly act as quick consultation spaces during days with a heavy patient influx, and at other times shall transform into breathing spaces for staff and patients.
Site Photographs
The extension is proposed to be built on what is currently the front yard of Mana Suwa Piyasa. Retaining the site's existing condition was considered very important in this project, therefore, the arrangement of the Pavilions was guided by the sequence of existing trees and monumental objects on-site. The site is dotted with several broad-leaved trees, and their presence bring a cozy, tropical touch to the site.
The Garden Pavilions, with their modular aluminum structure, are designed to be flexible, lightweight and able to be rapidly constructed. As the Pavilions need to be cramped into the available spaces, its designed as thin frames that shall appear as a minimal silhouette. The entire structure is designed to be rapidly completed within a few days, including a day of site preparation, so that the functions of Mana Suwa Piyasa shall receive minimal disturbances. To further enhance the lightness of the ambiance, the structures are detached from all perimeter walls, and fabric is proposed to be used for the purpose of partitioning.
Majority of the existing hard landscaping on site is proposed to be retained, as it is necessary to ensure accessibility to patients of determination.
Overall, the intention of the Garden Pavilions is to reflect on the contemplative simplicity of the psychiatric functions that help their users to rediscover their lives.
