There is no universally agreed upon definition for sustainability. However, “to sustain” is to “keep up with”, therefore sustainability refers to the ability to keep up with the natural production of the resources being used. While there is no universal definition, industry experts and those passionate about the environment agree that sustainability rest upon three pillars: people, profit, and the planet. True sustainability balances the three in a responsible and long-term manner.
One of the largest exports in Sri Lanka is sustainable goods. To better understand the way in which Sri Lanka incorporates the spirit of sustainability and experience the birthplace of tropical modernism, our Interior Design class visited Colombo. The capital and Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo was awash with vibrancy and innovation. The city was an intersection of industrial innovation and responsibly-sourced, small-batch craft.
We visited Geoffrey Bawa’s studio and home to grasp a better understanding of the foundation of tropical modernism. We also toured textile and clothing factories working to produce sustainable goods. This trip imparted to me an appreciation of the ease with which sustainability can be made the heart of design, innovation and daily life.
