Kapila D. Silva
- Professor
- Architecture, Architecture & Design Administration
Contact Info
Lawrence
1465 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS 66045
Biography —
Kapila D. Silva is a Professor of Architecture at the School of Architecture and Design of the University of Kansas, USA. He has previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from where he received his doctorate and at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka from where he received professional architectural education. His research focuses on the social, cultural and psychological aspects of architecture, urbanism, and historic preservation. His research has thus far been on global heritage conservation, addressing theoretical and pragmatic issues related to UNESCO’s World Heritage Program, which attempts to preserve and manage historic monuments and sites with outstanding universal value around the world. The underlined interest in his research has been in the construction and stewardship of meaning in the built environment in the forms of sites, monuments and memorials of personal and communal legacies and in the ways of balancing conservation concerns with development needs within historic urban areas. In geo-cultural scope, his work focuses specifically on non-Western traditions within the Asian context. In addition, he studies vernacular environments in the region, developing a theoretical framework to study those environments and deriving lessons for contemporary architectural situations, such as community design and post-disaster resettlement housing. In addition to these scholarly activities, he continues to be engaged in architectural design, practicing exclusively in Sri Lanka where he is a licensed architect. Dr. Silva is the lead editor of Asian Heritage Management: Contexts, Concerns and Prospects (with Neel Kamal Chapagain; Routledge, 2013), Cultural Landscapes of South Asia: Studies in Heritage Conservation and Management (with Amita Sinha; Routledge, 2017), and The Routledge Handbook on Historic Urban Landscapes in the Asia-Pacific (Routledge, 2020) and co-author of The Tampitaviharas of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image-houses in Buddhist Architecture (Anthem Press, in press). He has received 2006 Building Block Award (Faculty of the Year) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students, 2010 Jack and Nancy Bradley Student Recognition Award for Teaching Excellence from the School of Architecture and Design, and 2 018 K. Barbara Schowen Undergraduate Research Mentor Award and 2020 The Honor for Outstanding Progressive Educator (HOPE) Award from the University of Kansas. He is also the recipient of 2013 New Researcher Award from the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) and 2018 Achievement Award from the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA).
Education —
Research —
(a) Social, Cultural, and Psychological Aspects of Architectural Design and Urban Design
(b) Urban Design and Development Policy in Developing Countries
(c) Issues related to Revitalization, Preservation, and Management of Historic Buildings and Urban Settings
(d) Community Participation in Urban Design, Settlement Planning, and Preservation
(e) Visual Culture in Buddhist and Asian societies
Teaching —
Studios + Courses Taught (Selected):
ARCH 508 - Architectural Design Studio III/ Materials and Tectonics
ARCH 600 – Theorizing Vernacular Architecture
ARCH 609 – Integrated Design Studio
ARCH 630 - Theory & Context in Architecture
ARCH 647 – Historic Preservation Theory
ARCH 690 - Study Abroad in Asia
ARCH 701 - Research Methods in Architecture
ARCH 999 – Doctoral Dissertation
Selected Publications —
Ballinger, B., and K. D. Silva. 2021. “The Need for Knowledge Management in the Scholarship of Social Engagement in Architecture.” Book Chapters. In All-Inclusive Engagement in Architecture: Towards a Future of Social Change, edited by Farhana Ferdous and Bryan Bell, 85–95. London: Routledge.
Silva, K. D. 2020. “Introduction: Reimagining the Conservation of Historic Urban Landscapes in Asia-Pacific.” Book Chapters. In The Routledge Handbook on Historic Urban Landscapes in Asia-Pacific, edited by K. D. Silva, 1–26. London: Routledge.
Ferdous, F., J. W. Lawless, and K. D. Silva. 2020. “Sustainable Urbanism and Urban Heritage Conservation.” Book Chapters. In The Routledge Handbook on Historic Urban Landscapes in Asia-Pacific, edited by K. D. Silva, 363–76. London: Routledge.
Silva, K. D., ed. 2020. The Routledge Handbook on Historic Urban Landscapes in Asia-Pacific. Books. London: Routledge.
Rajapakse, A., and K. D. Silva. 2020. “Transient Heritage Values, Conflicting Aspirations, and Endangered Urban Heritage in the Historic Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.” Book Chapters. In The Routledge Handbook on Historic Urban Landscapes in Asia-Pacific, edited by K. D. Silva, 462–75. London: Routledge.
Silva, K. D. 2019. “Towards an Integrative and Empathetic Heritage Conservation: The Case of Kandy, Sri Lanka.” Book Chapters. In Cultural Landscapes of South Asia: Studies in Heritage Conservation and Management, edited by V. Bharne and T. Sandmeier, 87–108. London: Routledge.
Silva, K. D. 2017. “Chapter 12: Bhaktapur, Nepal: Heritage Values and Conservation Practices.” Book Chapters. In Cultural Landscapes of South Asia: Studies in Heritage Conservation and Management, edited by Kapila D. Silva and Amita Sinha, 185–210. London: Routledge.
Silva, K. D. 2017. “Chapter 9: The Symbolic Authenticity of Kandy, Sri Lanka.” Book Chapters. In Cultural Landscapes of South Asia: Studies in Heritage Conservation and Management, edited by Kapila D. Silva and Amita Sinha, 144–58. London: Routledge.
Silva, Kapila D., and Amita Sinha, eds. 2017. Cultural Landscapes of South Asia: Studies in Heritage Conservation and Management. Books. London: Routledge.
Silva, K. D. 2017. “Epilogue: Prospects for Managing South Asian Cultural Landscapes.” Book Chapters. In Cultural Landscapes of South Asia: Studies in Heritage Conservation and Management, edited by Kapila D. Silva and Amita Sinha, 258–68. London: Routledge.
Lawless, J. W., and K. D. Silva. 2017. “Towards a Holistic Understanding of ‘Authenticity’ of Cultural Heritage: Analysis of World Heritage Designations in the Asian Context.” Journal Articles. Journal of Heritage Management 1 (2): 1–12.
Silva, Kapila D. 2015. “Paradigm Shifts in Global Heritage Discourse.” Journal Articles. Journal of Space and Communication 1 (1): 1–15.
Silva, Kapila D. 2015. “The Spirit of Place of Bhaktapur, Nepal.” Journal Articles. International Journal of Heritage Studies 21 (8): 820–41.
Silva, Kapila D., and Neel Kamal Chapagain, eds. 2013. Asian Heritage Management: Contexts, Concerns, and Prospects. Books. London: Routledge.
Silva, Kapila D. 2013. “Chapter 17: The City Imageability: A Framework for Defining Urban Heritage Dimensions.” Book Chapters. In Asian Heritage Management: Contexts, Concerns, and Prospects, edited by K. D. Silva and N. K. Chapagain, 325–344. London: Routledge.
Silva, Kapila D. 2013. “Epilogue: Prospects for Asian Heritage Management.” Book Chapters. In Asian Heritage Management: Contexts, Concerns, and Prospects, edited by K. D. Silva and N. K. Chapagain, 345–355. London: Routledge.
Silva, Kapila D. 2012. “(Re)Configuring City Meanings: Historic and Contemporary Imaginations in City of Kandy, Sri Lanka.” Journal Articles. International Journal of Constructed Environments 2 (3): 13–29.
Silva, Kapila D. 2011. “Mapping Meanings in the City Image: A Case Study of Kandy, Sri Lanka.” Journal Articles. Journal of Architectural & Planning Research 28 (3): 229–51.
Silva, Kapila D. 2011. “Resettlement Housing Design: Moving beyond the Vernacular Imagery.” Journal Articles. South Asia Journal of Culture, Special Issue on Built Space: Social Issues in Architecture 5 & 6: 116–35.
Selected Presentations —
Silva, K. D. (5/22/2019 - 5/26/2019). Sustainability of Historic Urban Landscapes: Factors affecting Integrated Conservation and Development of Urban Cultural Heritage. The 50th Annual Conference of Environmental Design Research Association. New York City, New York, USA
Silva, K. D. (6/6/2018 - 6/9/2018). Consuming heritage: Complexities in balancing heritage conservation concerns and multiple stakeholder interests in the World Heritage Site of Galle Fort, Sri Lanka. The 49th Annual Conference of Environmental Design Research Association. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Krishnakumar, V., & Silva, K. D. (5/27/2017 - 6/1/2017). A critical review of the Living Heritage Approach for preserving historic environments. Presentation, The 48th Annual Conference of Environmental Design Research. Madison, WI, USA
Ballinger, B., & Silva, K. D. (5/27/2017 - 6/1/2017). Legitimizing squatters’ traditions: sustainable practice in spontaneous vernacular environments. Presentation, The 48th Annual Conference of Environmental Design Research. Madison, WI, USA
Ballinger, B., & Silva, K. D. (10/20/2016 - 10/21/2016). The need for knowledge management in the scholarship of social engagement in architecture. Presentation, The Scholarship of Social Engagement Symposium, University of Kansas. USA
Ballinger, B., & Silva, K. D. (6/15/2016 - 6/16/2016). Knowledge Management in Post-disaster Resettlement Housing. EAAE/ARCC 10th International Conference, University of Lisbon, Portugal
Silva, K. D. (5/12/2016). Bhaktapur, Nepal: Heritage Values and Conservation Practices. ICOMOS-Sri Lanka Public Lecture Series; Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya. Sri Lanka
L'Heureux, M., & Silva, K. D. (11/5/2015 - 11/8/2015). Presidential Libraries and their cities: From rural memorial to urban campus. 16th National Conference on Planning History, Society for the American City and Regional Planning History. Los Angeles, CA
Silva, K. D. (11/19/2015). Rethinking the Global Heritage Discourse: Some Case Studies from Asia. Plenary Presentation, Geography Awareness Week, Department of Geography, Western Illinois University. Macomb, IL
Silva, K. D. (9/30/2015). Sustainable re-housing after disasters: Learning from post-tsunami resettlements in Sri Lanka. Global Food For Thought Lecture Series; Center for Global and International studies, University of Kansas
Silva, K. D. (5/27/2015 - 6/1/2015). Linking Research with Design: Revising a research methods course for effective student learning. Intensive Session “Pedagogical Approaches To Teaching Students How To Do Environmental Design Research” at the 46th Annual Conference of Environmental Design Research. Los Angeles, CA
Silva, K. D., & Lawless, J. W. (5/27/2015 - 6/1/2015). Towards a holistic understanding of ‘authenticity’ of cultural heritage: Analysis of World Heritage designations in the Asian Context. 46th Annual Conference of Environmental Design Research. Los Angeles, California
Awards & Honors —
EDRA Achievement Award, for the book ‘Cultural Landscapes of South Asia’
Environmental Design Research Association
2018
K. Barbara Schowen Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
University of Kansas
2018
New Researcher Award
Architectural Research Centers Consortium, USA
2013
Jack and Nancy Bradley Student Recognition Award
School of Architecture, Design & Planning, University of Kansas
2010
AIAS Building Block Award (Faculty of the Year)
Elected by the American Institute of Architecture Students – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chapter
2006
Michael Ventris Memorial Award for Architecture 1997/98
granted by Architectural Association, London, for the research on “Tampitavihara” (temples on pillars), a vernacular building type in Sri Lanka; (Co-recipient)
1997 - 1998