SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION, RESEARCH, REHABILITATION AND AWARENESS CENTRE Part 2 Project 2011 Amanda Rajakaruna City School of Architecture | Sri Lanka The coast of Sri Lanka is abundant with marine and estuarine life. Whilst Sri Lankan Tourism promotes wildlife safaris, whale and dolphin watching, turtle hatcheries, glass bottom boat rides, etc,little or no emphasis is given to the fact that these "natural pull factors" are vulnerable to extinctiondue to pollution, poaching, negative climatic changes and human interference.The chosen location fo r development is in the south of Sri Lanka, a village, which following the 2004 Tsunami is economically redundant due to salination of agricultural lands and lagoon. Upon being recognised by the UN as a Turtle Sanctuary where 5 of the 7 types of turtles lay the ir eggs, thevillage's subsequent main source of income (poaching of turtle eggs and selling of meat and shells) is now restricted.The project, a SeaTurtle Conservation Centre therefore:• Is the answer to village empowerment through a master plan supported by the community based Conservation Centre which offers visito r informati on, short and long term research as well as links with other village activities.• Aims at being a localised cent re, which monitors sea turtle life within the coasts of Sri Lanka and protects the eggs in its natural conditions.• Is a turtle specific vete rinary clinic and is the Sri Lankan hub for satellite tracking, monitoring and data collection and research of migrato ry sea turtles.• Is facilitated by the people of the area; providing job opportunities, public awareness etc.• Is a green building , as per best practice certification criteria acting as a green educator to the visit ing public.• Is constructed of materials sourced with in the village (Bamboo and Rammed earth) and uses simple construction technology in a sophistication modern presentation.The project sees the Architect not only as a designer but also as an activist, provid ing solut ions to an identified problem while creating sustainable development within the community.It is a concept generated based on a goal to empower a dying village and celebrate it for its potentials while promoting self sustainable development.It result s in a synergy between the funct ion, the people, the context, the design approach and the materials and technology used. Amanda Rajakaruna Tutor(s)