Browsing by Author "Liyanage, UPP"

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item: Conference-Abstract
Assimilating historical contexts as learning labs : introducing design thinking in the foundation level of design education
Liyanage, UPP; Hettiarachchi, S
Design Thinking is the practice of including and empathizing with people, their cultures, traditions and especially their emotions throughout the problem-solving process of design. In the Bachelor of Design course at the Department of Integrated Design, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, this practice begins by the realization of one’s self. While the individual self is realized in varied perspectives in succession, the use of historical contexts as the introductory atmosphere is highly beneficial. Using inherent qualities of the physical context, culturally valued reminiscent structures or ideological attributes given to contexts, students begin the process of questioning the norm for the progression of empathized betterment through history. Empirical data of ten (10) projects spanning from 2001 to 2015 is used to derive the methods of experimentation and evolution of historical contexts as learning labs. The gathered analytical data is used to synthesize necessary inclusions of a historical learning lab and future possibilities. The research has been funded by the Senate Research Committee of the University of Moratuwa under the grant number SRC/ST/05/2015.
item: Conference-Abstract
Enhancing English oracy at Delwita Maha Vidyalaya with a community-centric approach using 'playhouse strategy' and visual communications
(Department of Integrated Design, Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa., 2024) Perera, RHN; Liyanage, UPP; Samarawickrama, S
This study explores a community-centric approach to enhancing English oracy skills among primary students at Delwita Maha Vidyalaya through a 'Playhouse Strategy' integrated with visual communication methods. With a focus on early language development, this approach combines participatory teaching techniques with locally relevant content to foster an engaging learning environment. Traditional methods often fail to engage students effectively, which leads to limited oracy development. To address this, the ‘Playhouse Strategy’ was developed as an interactive framework, centring on community-based play and storytelling to make language learning a shared cultural activity. This framework emphasises active student engagement through games, role-play, and visual aids tailored to the local context. The study justifies the selection of a community-centric model by highlighting the strong ties between students' learning experiences and their social environment. This approach positions English learning not merely as an academic subject but as a vital communication skill that connects learners to their community. By embedding language learning in culturally relevant scenarios, students are better able to relate to and apply the language in everyday situations. The Playhouse Strategy's use of visual communication, such as local stories, illustrated prompts, and context-specific imagery, further enhances student comprehension and retention. The pedagogical framework incorporates several targeted game dynamics: Appointment, Status, Progression, and Communal Discovery. Appointment fosters one-on-one interaction among peers, helping students practise conversational skills. Status involves role-play to enable students to assume various community roles, enhancing their understanding of social interactions in English. Progression allows for structured language development through incremental tasks, supporting gradual improvement in speaking and listening skills. Finally, Communal Discovery encourages collective participation in problem-solving activities, aligning individual learning with group dynamics. These game elements environments.The educator’s observations, student feedback, and the recorded progress serve as qualitative evidence of the strategy’s effectiveness, which led him to be recognized as the best English teacher in Sri Lanka in 2016 for the creative approach of communal learning. The strategy was not widespread but limited to a certain rural area where the knowledge did not get exposed to the other areas. This study contributes to the broader discourse on community-driven language education, particularly in rural settings where traditional teaching methods may not be as effective. The findings suggest that embedding language learning within culturally relevant, interactive frameworks can significantly enhance students’ oracy skills and their confidence in using English in real-life contexts.
item: Conference-Abstract
Exploring the wisdom of traditional agriculture related ecocentric systems: a study of Atanwala Village, Sri Lanka
(Department of Integrated Design, Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa., 2024) Edirisinghe, WDTN; Liyanage, UPP; Samarawickrama, S
This study examines the eco-centric agricultural systems preserved within Atanwala Village, Sri Lanka, as a model to inform and inspire contemporary design thinking. Rooted in the principles of ecocentrism, which prioritise harmonious relationships between living and nonliving elements of an ecosystem, Atanwala’s agricultural practices embody a sustainable approach that integrates environmental, social, cultural, and economic dimensions. These systems, which are increasingly under threat from rapid modernisation, offer valuable insights into creating sustainable design solutions that align with global objectives for ecological preservation and community resilience. The research employs Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyse qualitative data collected through observational fieldwork and semi-structured interviews with Atanwala residents engaged in traditional paddy cultivation. This methodology facilitates an in-depth exploration of the eco-centric practices that have allowed the village to maintain its agricultural heritage while addressing the challenges of environmental and economic sustainability. The study focuses on three sustainability pillars: environmental, social and cultural, and economic. Each is closely examined to uncover how Atanwala’s practices holistically integrate these values into their agricultural systems. Environmental sustainability in Atanwala is evident in practices that rely on natural inputs and minimise ecological disruption. Techniques such as organic fertilisation, natural pest control, and soil conservation underscore the village’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and maintaining soil health. By avoiding chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the community fosters an agricultural system that supports long-term ecological balance and resilience. This approach exemplifies the integration of ecocentric principles into daily practices, ensuring that the needs of the environment are prioritised alongside human activities. Social and cultural sustainability is deeply embedded in the agricultural practices of Atanwala. Communal labour, traditional rituals associated with planting and harvesting, and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge serve as cornerstones of the village’s social fabric. These practices foster strongsocial cohesion and reinforce cultural heritage, promoting a sense of shared responsibility for sustainable agriculture. Rituals and celebrations tied to the agricultural calendar not only strengthen community bonds but also serve as a means of preserving cultural identity in the face of modernisation. Economic sustainability is achieved through efficient resource use, adaptability to environmental changes, and resilience against external pressures. By relying on local resources and sustainable methods, Atanwala’s agricultural systems ensure stable livelihoods and economic viability. The village’s model highlights the potential for traditional practices to offer economic stability without compromising ecological integrity or cultural values. This balance provides a blueprint for integrating sustainability into broader economic systems. The study identifies and analyses these eco-centric values using a structured methodology. The research follows a seven-phase approach: planning, literature review, pilot study, data collection, transcription, data analysis, and synthesis. Observational fieldwork and semi-structured interviews were central to the data collection process, allowing researchers to capture nuanced insights into the lived experiences of the Atanwala community. Data analysis was conducted in three stages: primary coding, focused coding aligned with stages of the paddy cultivation cycle, and categorisation under the three sustainability pillars. This comprehensive approach ensured that the findings accurately reflect the interconnected nature of Atanwala’s agricultural systems. The research findings reveal the transformative potential of Atanwala’s eco-centric practices to inform the "empathise" phase of contemporary design thinking. By integrating principles such as resource conservation, cultural reverence, and communal responsibility, the study advocates for a shift from anthropocentric to eco-centric design methodologies. This transition broadens the scope of design to consider the needs of the entire ecosystem, promoting innovation that is both environmentally inclusive and socially equitable. The insights gained from Atanwala’s agricultural systems also underscore the importance of traditional knowledge in addressing modern sustainability challenges. The village’s practices demonstrate that sustainable solutions can be rooted in heritage and adapted to contemporary contexts. For instance, the use of organic inputs and natural pest control methods reflects an understanding of ecological systems that modern agricultural practices often overlook. These eco-centric values offer a framework for rethinking design processes to prioritise environmental integrity, social cohesion, and economic resilience. Visually, the research presents its findings using conceptual frameworks and diagrams to illustrate the interconnected sustainability pillars. For example, a Venn diagram highlights the overlap between environmental, social, cultural, and economic sustainability, showing how shared values such as resource management and cultural beliefs underpin the village’s agricultural practices. These visual tools help convey the holistic nature of Atanwala’s systems and their relevance to contemporary design challenges. The implications of this research extend beyond the context of Atanwala Village. By demonstrating how eco-centric principles can be embedded into the design process, the study provides a model for addressing sustainability in diverse fields, from architecture and urban planning to product and service design. The findings also align with global sustainability goals, emphasising the need for innovation that respects ecological limits and promotes social equity. Atanwala’s agricultural practices highlight the potential for traditional systems to offer sustainable solutions in a rapidly changing world. The study’s focus on eco-centric values contributes to a growing body of knowledge that seeks to bridge the gap between traditional wisdom and contemporary innovation. By adopting these principles, designers can create products and services that reflect ecological resilience, cultural sensitivity, and economic viability. In conclusion, this research underscores the transformative potential of traditional eco-centric agricultural practices to inspire contemporary design thinking. Atanwala Village serves as a powerful example of how sustainability can be achieved through a balance of environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations. By drawing on the wisdom of traditional systems, the study advocates for a holistic approach to design that prioritises the needs of the entire ecosystem. This work highlights the importance of integrating eco-centric values into the design process to address global sustainability challenges and foster a more inclusive and resilient future.
item: Conference-Abstract
Investigation of local hand knitting craft practices for build a responsive textile environment on the active human body
Wickramasinghe, DPUM; Liyanage, UPP; Nawalage, A
Literature of the knitwear says, it originated to satisfy the functional aspects of human, at present it has gone beyond a mere functional aspect and has assumed a fashionable value in the clothing industry and keeps spreading rapidly. The main objective and the intention of this research is to experimenting innovative textile developments to the active wear fashion with a novel conception. Main hypothesis is to be ‘By using an inherent quality of local hand knitting craft practice, molding different three dimensional(3D) voluminous spaces and handle the voluminous space in between the human body and the fabric is a most important thing to build a responsive textile environment on the active human body. Initially the research would be paying more attention to the inner side of the textile material and innovative textile fabric material is designed and practice here by making use of 3D structural, architectural and sculptural hand knitting potentials. The knitted layer here is interpreted as a second skin on the biological skin of man. That is by making use of the idea related to this research. This is namely, “Responsive Knitted Skin with Voluminous inside Spaces”. The research would be paying more attention to the inside knitted spaces in between biological skin and knitted skin and there are three types of sub inside knitted spaces introduced through this research.