BUILDINGS THAT COMMUNICATE : 
An Examination of the Expression in Architecture 
with special reference to Purpose of the Building 
Dissertation presented to the 
Faculty of Architecture 
University of Moratuwa 
the Final Examination in 
M.Sc. (Architecture) —y * <*? f^> 
- 7 2 5 
Shamila Shiromi Jayatillake 
Department of Architecture 
University of Moratuwa 
Sri Lanka. 
1997 
7 1 5 7 9 
C O N T E N T S 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
LIST O F FIGURES 
I N T R O D U C T I O N 
C H A P T E R ONE 
Architecture and the Functions it performs 
1.1 A definition to architecture 
1.2 Functions that architecture performs 
1.2.1 Shelter for different activities 
1.2.2 Climatic filter 
1.2.3 Place making 
1.2.4 Source of revenue 
1.2.5 Communication 
C H A P T E R T W O 
Communication and Expression in Architecture 
2.1 Communication & Expression (General) 
2.1.1 Communication 
2.1.2 Expression 
2.1.3 Relationship between Communication & Expression 
2.2 Communication in Architecture 
2.3 What do buildings communicate 
2.3.1 Purpose of the building 
2.3.2 Client's desire 
2.3.3 Architect's imaginations 
2.3.4 Spirit of age 
2.3.5 Nature of the society 
2.3.6 Power and wealth 
2.4. How do buildings communicate 
2.4.1 Expression in Architecture 
2.4.2 Mode of Expression in Architecture 
C H A P T E R T H R E E 
. The Expression in Architecture with special Reference to Building Purpose 
3.1 Expression & Building Purpose 2 8 
3.1.1 Residential buildings (Houses) .2 9 
3.1.2 School Buildings 33 
3.1.3 Office buildings 36 
3.1.4 Religious buildings 39 
3.2. Case Studies 
3.2.1 'Thurulu' - A house at KiHbathagoda. . . . . 4 3 
3.2.2 St. Bridgets' Montessori School, Colombo 07. . . 47 
3.2.3 Meewella Building, Colombo 04 51 
3.2.4 Ronchamp Chapel, France 54 
CONCLUSION 58 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 63 
••w 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
First of all I would like to extend my gratitude to my Instructor, Archt. Vidura Sri 
Nammuni, Senior lecturer, Dept. of Architecture, University of Moratuwa for his 
valuable advise, comments and encouragement on my work through out this work. 
My sincere thanks are due to Proff. Nimal De Silva, Head of the Dept. of Architecture 
who helped me first to get in to the subject, for giving me valuable ideas and showing me 
the path to go ahead. 
I express my special thanks to Sohani and Priyani for helping me by providing texts, 
photographs and encouragements. And special thanks goes to Anjana, Aliya, Thanuja, 
Keerthi and Mahendra for helping me in taking and providing with photographs. 
I am grateful to my parents for their continuous support and encouragement for this work. 
At last but not least I must give particular thanks to every one who helped me in word 
processing and finalising the dissertation. 
I 
LIST OF FIGURES 
Figure Page 
01 A Primitive Hut 01 
02 A 'Bissa' - Structure for Storage 03 
03 A Gypsy Hut 03 
04 A Gypsy Hut 03 
05 St. Paul's' Cathedrel 04 
06 Soysapura Housing Scheme 05 
07 Communication of Human beings 08 
08 Communication of Animals 08 
09 Expressions on Human beings 09 
10 Expression of Majesty 10 
(Museum - Colombo 07) 
11 Expression of Innocence 10 
(A Traditional House in Sri Lanka) 
12 Shape of ronchamp Chapel - France 20 
13 Entrance Lobby - Kandalama Hotel 25 
14 Solids and voids (Ronchamp Chapel) 2 6 
15 Play of Light and Shadow 26 
(Ronchamp Chapel, France) 
16 De Seram House - Colombo 05 30 
17 Stanley Gomez Holiday House 30 
18 Sense of Protection 31 
19 Intimacy through simplicity 32 
20 A building at University of Moratuwa 34 
21 A class room at St.Bridget's Montessori School 34 
22 St.Thomas Prep. School.-Colombo 03 35 
23 Courts Complex - Chandigar 36 
24 Bank of Ceylon Tower 37 
25 Old Parliament Complex - Colombo 03 37 
Figure Page 
26 Stupa of Borobudur - Jawa 39 
27 N.Sve of Amien's Cathedrel 40 
28 Interior of Ronchamp' Chapel 40 
29 Sculptural form - Ronchamp Chapel 41 
30 Chapel on the Water 41 
31 Hidden Entrance - 'Thurulu' at Kiribathgoda 43 
32 Rare Elevation - " " " 44 
33a Use of Natural Colours Textures and 
23b Material - 'Thurulu' at Kiribathgoda 45 
34 Sense of Protection - 'Thurulu' a t Kiribathgoda 46 
35 Front Elevation - St.Bridget's Montessori 
Kiribathgoda 48 
36 Class Room at Ground Level - St.Bridget's 
Montessori School 48 
37 Class Room at Upper Floor - St.Bridget's 
Montessori School 49 
38 St.Antony's Montessori School -Borella 49 
39 Openings of different shapes and sizes 50 
40 Meewella Office Building - Colombo 04 51 
41- Dominance - Ronchamp Chapel - France 55 
42a Mystery in Ronchamp Chapel 55 
42b 
43 Rough Texture of walls - Ronchamp Chapel 56