On December 26, 2004, a tsunami devastated areas of Southeast Asia. Immediately, Colliers professionals started asking how we as an organization could provide assistance to those in need. Philip Bay, owner of Colliers offices in Greece, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia and Bulgaria, proposed an ambitious project: rebuild homes in Kirinda Village, Sri Lanka.
In January, 2005, Colliers International announced its initiative to raise USD 1,000,000 to master plan and carry out construction of 67 homes for 67 displaced families. To assist in this project, Colliers enlisted the help of world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban. With Ban providing the design and Colliers providing the initial funding, 67 permanent, great-looking and environmentally friendly homes are becoming a reality for the 67 families that make up the village.
Over the last year, Colliers' tsunami reconstruction project has set itself apart from others, becoming the benchmark for other organizations and donors. The residents of the village were active in the design process from the beginning through five town hall meetings with the project team. Furthermore, the Colliers project is the only one to have master planned the community based on the residents' original property lines and according to genuine title deeds.
The most basic goal of Colliers' tsunami project is to build 67 new homes in the village; however the overall goal is to maintain the social and cultural structure of the inhabitants of Kirinda, while creating environments and infrastructure which will enhance life in and around the town.
