An undergraduate of the University of Moratuwa, Chandima Gawarammana won the Nippon Paint Asia Young Designer contest in the architectural category. His presentation was a design using the local gem industry as the theme. 
The focus of his project was to rehabilitate gem mines as a tribute to the community and culture. The design provides a modern-day solution to the industry in the form of a facility, revitalizing the traditional techniques used in gem mines that have been passed down through generations.
In a conversation with Youth Observer, he discusses the hopes he has for the gem industry.
Q: What made you choose the gem industry as a theme?
A: The main idea behind this particular design thesis was to reveal the real treasure in the gem industry which the majority in the country are not aware of. My intention was to reveal particular segments which are hidden from society and to facilitate them through architectural intervention.
In Sri Lanka, the architecture profession is limited in scope, but in foreign regions, architects and designers are involved in many sectors, projects which will help to improve various social layers and issues. I was trying to improve the state of social communities through architecture while achieving some sort of environmental rehabilitation which is much needed in areas such as Rathnapura with natural disasters such as floods.
The Sri Lankan gem culture is endemic to the gem industry and there is also an indigenous value related to the industry and its culture. Most Sri Lankans aren’t aware of these industries and their values, so I intended to promote this particular sector which has a real value and history in Sri Lanka. 
The main idea behind this design thesis was to come up with a method to promote the gem industry in a particular manner while developing its background and other related cultural aspects. The design also focuses on adding value to the community and the real owners of these treasures.
Q: How did the theme inspire your creativity?
A: During the five years of my academic period to complete the architecture degree program – B.Arch (Hons) at the University of Moratuwa, I was able to improve my creativity even beyond the national level as well as improve the design mindset along with any selected theme and the sectors doing further research. To achieve all these, the continuous guidance and support of my supervisors and lecturers in the university was a great foundation and I’m thankful to them.
Q: How long did it take you to prepare for the competition?
A: Since this project was done as the final year Design thesis at the University of Moratuwa, I had to improve some simple elements for the competition and also do a good presentation to go beyond the national level.
In 2016, I won the AYDA Gold medal at the national level and I was able to participate in the international competition which was held in Indonesia. With that experience, I was prepared this time. Within a month, I was able to achieve that standard to present this project at the AYDA international competition 2019/2020 with confidence.
Q: How will the gem miners benefit through your project?
A: The overall intention was to promote the gem industry rather than promoting gems itself, so I had to dig deep into the communal aspects and their lifestyle in a different manner. I visited the gem mines and the surrounding community as well as to get all the good and bad experiences in the industry and felt the struggle that they have gone through to unearth this precious element.
The knowledge was formed through repeated trial and error, resulting in developing techniques and methods that caters to their needs. But these traditional methods have not been developed to fit modern standards, which has resulted in most of the difficulties people face in the gem industry.
The traditional techniques should be revitalised by providing them with modern facilities for the development of their basic needs while exposing the hidden story behind the gem industry.
Throughout my design, I was able to express the qualities and feelings that they have gained in an architectural manner. The observer can perceive different qualities in different spaces which I have created through the proposed project.
At that point, the observer automatically gains a massive amount of knowledge regarding the process and the particular industry itself. Other than facilitating communities to uplift the living standards of these communities by an architectural intervention. This system allows them to promote their own cultural and industrial value while facilitating within their premises (gem mines).
The project will lead to acting as a supportive tool for transitional development shortly. The selected area will be transformed into a gem conservation city by Government proposals which have commenced. So the proposed promotional centre will act as a pre advertisement for the future development goals and fulfill the aims and objectives the Government has proposed.
Q: What do you aspire to do, related to design?
A: Promoting the gem industry in five different sectors will help the industry and its culture. Their indigenous knowledge was reflected as modern architectural elements as a masterpiece of what they have gained over the years. When analyzing the mining process there were certain observations made. And the risks they face were observed.
So, the idea was to rehabilitate gem mines as a tribute to the culture and gem related society. The approach was to build up an additive architectural component to cater to these societies as well as solve the initial problems.