About

MICD Associates is an architectural design firm formed in 1999 by its directors Channa Daswatte and Murad Ismail after meeting within the practice of Geoffrey Bawa Associates, of which they are both still directors. Committed to innovative and rigorous design, the principals maintain a close relationship with the client and are the principal designers.

The main concerns of the practice have been to create architecture that is appropriate to site, climate and culture, using to their advantage the materials of everyday construction including freely available industrial materials. Lightness of structure, form and connection with the landscape and environment has been particularly important to the design approach.

Being primarily a design-oriented company has enabled total commitment to this aspect of the profession. Consortium services are provided in association with committed professionals and companies that deal with the other disciplines of building design.

 

Principal Architects

 
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Murad Ismail

— AIA (SL) 1995

Murad Ismail initially followed a degree course in Biology with hopes of becoming a Marine Biologist. However due to unforeseen situations erupting in his home country, he went on to study Architecture by default, as it was the only course of study functioning during that turbulent time.

Throughout his student life, while reading Biology and Architecture, he worked with many architects in Sri Lanka. At the latter stages of his student life, he joined the practice of Geoffrey Bawa and worked with him for nearly a decade. During his tenure with Bawa, Murad joined forces with fellow Bawa colleague Channa Daswatte, forming MICD Associates and subsequently ATS Consultants (Pvt) Ltd as well, both considered two of the foremost architectural practices, not only in Sri Lanka, but also in the region.

Murad takes a scientific approach to his craft, and is involved in many architectural projects in Sri Lanka and the region.

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Channa Daswatte

— AIA (SL) 1993

Channa Daswatte graduated from the University of Moratuwa in 1987 and worked in the practice of C. Anjalendran. He subsequently followed a Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture at University College London, 1990, followed by a Master of Architecture in Advanced Architectural Studies from the University of London in 1991.

After graduation he joined the Architectural Consultancy of Geoffrey Bawa and was involved in several projects including the Kandalama Hotel and the designs for a new official residence for the President of Sri Lanka. He was made a director/partner of Geoffrey Bawa Associates Private Limited in 1997.

In 1997 he founded with Murad Ismail the Architectural partnership of MICD Associates. In 1999 they founded the consultancy of ATS Consultants Private Limited been a director from its inception.

He has dedicated his spare time to being a lecturer and Year Person at the Colombo School of Architecture from 1992 to 2001 and a senior lecturer at the University of Moratuwa from 2002 to 2005. He has been a visiting lecturer and examiner to date.