City: Dhaka

Nooruddin Complex at Nabiganj, Narayanganj is a multipurpose community center run by Epyllion Foundation. Nabiganj is a remotely located and organically grown peri-urban settlement mostly inhabited by lower middle class families. The area is densely populated and completely deprived of any kind of social infrastructure.

Epyllion Foundation is the CSR wing of Epyllion Group – a family run business conglomerate. Nooruddin Complex, established and run by the Foundation, is named after the late head of the family whose ancestral village is Nabiganj. The project was conceived by the next generation of the family, who themselves grew up in the neighborhood and were pained by the lack of spaces that instill positivity in the evolving minds of the contemporary youth of the area.

The program of the project was formulated through discussions with it’s intended users – the residents of the neighborhood. The functions accommodated in the Complex include Doctors Chambers, a small Pathological Laboratory, 2 Hall Rooms for multi-purpose community use like hosting social dining and watching cricket matches in large groups, Library, Gymnasium, 6 classrooms for after-school tutorials and an outdoor Gallery for open-to-sky art classes for the  children and young of the neighborhood. 

Brick is the principal building material – a logical choice due to its availability and economy of construction and maintenance. Rooms are oriented in North-South direction with thick brick walls and louvers acting as thermal mass. Parts of three-dimensional mass shifts randomly to respond to the organic character of the dense surrounding. The statement is bold yet soft, with the texture of solid brick masses forming varying perspectives when viewed from adjacent alleys. Once inside, it is the contrasting openness of the Courtyard that connects with the outside at different levels. Space flows in different directions, with concrete parapets of the exposed stair acting like counterweights to the central void.

1_ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT 

Creating a social hub for the community, in and around a built form that welcomes the from all direction irrespective of age, religion and gender. A building made of local material and by local craftsman with familiar technology. Perceived as a building without boundary wall and with entries from all sides. A building that makes the community proud. 

2A_SITE AND CONTEXT ANALYSIS
– Description of the Project Locale (Include description of the Architecture/ Design of the Area, and how the Project integrates into the Climatic/Cultural/Architectural Environment of the Area)

Located in a dense fabric of low rise buildings in a peri-urban context. At a dead end of a narrow winding road. Pre dominantly a residential area inhabited by low and lower income community deprived of social infrastructures at a community level.

2B_BREIFLY DESCRIBE SOME OF THE KEY CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE PROJECT AND HOW THE DESIGN SOLUTION ADDRESSED THEM

Since its a building dedicated to a an otherwise neglected community and also run by a charitable organization , budget was a big constraint . Choice of material , choice of construction technique , multiple use of spaces, accommodating changes, cost of running and maintenance etc were given priority.

03_DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT DETAILS

– Describe the project and highlight the special features, supporting facilities and landscape design, etc.

The idea of the built form and its functions were perceived through discussions at community level- the lack of social spaces which would spur new ideas of innovation were extensively addressed by adding features like open courtyard, casual seating areas, multi-purpose hall, gallery and so on.

The building was offset from the site- smaller footprint built to reduce volume which in turn facilitated in forming connections to the urban fabric. 

The orientation of the building and size of the volumes were carefully curated to ensure air to be drawn in onto the public spaces, markedly the internal courtyard and flow through to reach the upper floors. 

The vertical promenade cast in wooden form finished concrete forms a sculptural entity naturally ventilated through the open internal courtyard. 

04_Significance of the project

– In what way is this project important? Please describe the aspect(s) of the project, which you feel represent a particular achievement, for example the technical, economic, or social achievement, or its response to culture or climate. etc.

1. Connecting the members of the community physically, psychologically and emotionally with a sense of belonging and pride. Its connectivity with immediate surroundings welcomes everyone from the community, 
2. its austere walls in bare brick and concrete surrounding the central void offers silence and a sense of  repose. Playful stairs rise vertically to give hope and the stepped galleries, large and small, offers scopes to share ideas as well as to enter a reflective mode. 

05_Areas of Innovation

– In what areas is this building exemplary? How does it stand out from its peers?

The contrasting solidity from the exterior breaks free when walking through to reach the open-air courtyard. The courtyard forms the heart of the structure connecting all functional aspects of the building, tying them as a whole.

The uniformity of material forms a backdrop, a façade for the random urban landscape. Parts of three-dimensional mass shifts randomly to respond to the organic character of the dense surrounding. The statement is bold yet soft, with the texture of solid brick masses forming varying perspectives when viewed from adjacent alleys, creating interesting vistas. 

06_Details of Sustainable Architecture

– How does the project address the criteria for sustainability? Why does it deserve a special award?

Sustainability Engagement and Performance, e.g. Demonstrates strategic commitments to combat climate change; Stakeholder.

Environmental Quality and Well-being, , e.g. Promotes health and well-being; values ecological, social and cultural aspects of the site and surrounding neighbourhood.

Resource Conservation,e.g. Promotes net zero-energy, low carbon emissions, and innovative use of renewable energy sources; Reduction in material and resource consumption from a life-cycle perspective; Effective waste management and pollution control.

Orientation of built form – Longer façade aligned in the North-South Axis with deep openings formulated by shifting volumes, creating a natural path for wind and air flow to the interiors.

Choice of material – Brick was deemed as the obvious choice due to availability, economy of construction, ease of maintenance and familiar technical know-how. 

Thermal mass – Use of thick wide brick louvred screen-like formation placed before glass cut-off sun resulting in lower internal temperatures. 

Local and cost-effective technology to improve soil condition – Piling works to enhance soil load bearing capacity was avoided by the technology of excavating existing soil mass and replacing with new soil which was in turn compacted to gain strength and stability. 

07_Details of Socially Responsible Architecture

– How does the building address the criteria for socially responsible architecture? Why does it deserve a special award?

Social inclusiveness, e.g. Accessible to all; Universal design; Care for the vulnerable or underprivileged.

Delivering Positive impact beyond architecture, e.g. Natural resources; Social equality, justice, values; Policy and legislature; Local economy and jobs; Urban ecology and infrastructural systems; Partnerships and stakeholder diversity.

Outcomes and processes sensitive to local needs, e.g. Community resiliency against disasters; Quality of place/space – comfort & ease of use; Culturally sensitive design features; Affordable, Cost effective solutions; Efficient use of locally scarce resources; Participatory design and construction processes; Choices of materials, building systems and equipment; Construction techniques.

This project is dedicated to the community, from program formulation to everyday operation of the project is participated by the community. All the programs here from doctors clinic   to gymnasium , from Library to classrooms , from dining hall to TV lounge every single square foot of the complex  is dedicated for the members of various age groups from the  immediate community of Nabiganj. 

08A_Users’ Profile & Response

– Describe how the design addressed the needs to each user profile of the building.

Every activity in this complex is almost or absolutely free for the members of the community . Every one is attached with the project and thus its the center of life in that small and otherwise neglected community. It also provide them with a sense of empowerment and emancipation and  relieve them to a certain degree from the mental and financial burden.

08B_Describe the users’ response to the building e.g. the operational experience as a result of the choice of material or technical installation.

Extensive use of thick brick walls impacted in lowering the overall internal temperatures- creating a comfortable environment to function. Extensive use of local materials like brick and concrete rendered the building to be maintenance free. 

09_Innovative Project Technology

– Highlight any innovations in construction technology, structural system, material use, building services, site utilities, digital technology, etc.

Soil improvement – Piling works to enhance soil load bearing capacity was avoided by the technology of excavating existing soil mass and replacing with new soil which was in turn compacted to gain strength and stability. 

Thermal Mass – Use of thick wide brick louvred screen-like formation placed before glass cut-off sun resulting in lower internal temperatures. 

Locally available material – Brick was deemed as the obvious choice due to availability, economy of construction, ease of maintenance and familiar technical know-how. 

Covid 19 – The construction phase was entirely carried out and super-vised during the covid pandemic (2020-2021). Constant super-vision and collaboration with all aspects of building process had to be done remotely which provided challenging in order to achieve the desired level of precision in construction.

Project Description:

Port city Narayanganj grew along the river, carrying a long legacy of vibrant, layered urban life. People  and their everyday rhythms became inseparable from the city as it is lived and shared. As one of Bengal’s  busiest river ports, closely tied to the mid-19th century jute trade routes connecting Bengal to Dundee, it  drew people from different places into a shared urban setting along the water. Over time, this formed a  rich and lived-in urban condition, where routines, beliefs, and rituals unfolded side by side. The river held  these overlaps quietly, allowing differences to become part of the everyday. Within this riverine context,  the Baburail Canal was once an integral part of this shared life. Boats carried jute and rice through it,  connecting the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakshya rivers. It was not just a route of movement, but a shared  space of work, exchange, and remembrance. Over time, that presence faded. Waste accumulated, and  parts of it gradually turned into dumping grounds, edges were occupied, water stopped flowing, and the  canal slipped out of daily life, even as it remained physically present. 

The project begins by acknowledging this absence, extending beyond water to a deeper loss of  connection. The first step was to understand how the canal could return to the city in a way people would  accept and care for. This began with listening, before any drawing could take place. An intensive multi layered participatory approach, involving local communities, user groups, and authorities, supported by  environmental and social assessments, guided the design. The initiative was driven in 2012 by the  commitment of the then mayor to good governance. This process enabled the voluntary relocation of  most encroachments, allowing the canal to be reclaimed without forced eviction. The transformation  begins with collective ownership, setting a precedent for socially responsive urban regeneration. 

Today, the 405-meter stretch unfolds as a continuous public realm. The edge is shaped as a place to  arrive, pause, and engage. Ghats, floating decks, and shaded walkways create multiple ways of  inhabiting the canal. Some come to sit, others to walk, play, or gather. Women and children’s friendly  areas, sports grounds, skating corners, and senior exercise zones are integrated into the spatial  structure, ensuring the canal is shared across different users. Parts of the former dumping grounds are  reshaped into gentle earth mounds. These now accommodate functions such as a boat club, indoor pool,  and gym. Integrated into the site fabric, they carry a quiet sense of remembrance and awareness of what  the site once was. Mobility in the landscape follows this same continuity, with permeable paths,  pedestrian connectivity through the lake, and trellised walkways encouraging a more leisurely, engaged  use. Material selection remains low-impact and locally sourced, using soil, brick, stone, hollow blocks,  and geo-textiles. Structural interventions are restrained, relying on nature-based solutions for slope  stabilization through planting, modular systems, and biodegradable layers. 

Ecological regeneration forms a central layer of the project. Planting strategies, carried out through  participatory tree-planting initiatives involving local communities and school children, integrate native  species such as Hijol (Barringtonia acutangula), Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa), etc., alongside local  aquatic vegetation to stabilize edges and rebuild habitat. Birds and insects begin to return, shade  improves, and the microclimate becomes cooler. Seasonal flowering introduces a subtle rhythm, marking  time through changing colors and strengthening people’s connection with the place. Water is regulated  through simple control systems, maintaining flow and clarity. 

Beyond its environmental and spatial strategies, the canal is re-established as a cultural ground. The  Fine Arts Institute extends into the park landscape, supporting everyday creative activity alongside  seasonal events such as Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New year), Pohela Fagun (Spring Festival) etc.  Informal celebration spaces and interactive elements such as a dry fountain reinforce the canal’s role as  part of daily urban life. 

The project positions itself as an attempt to explore how a degraded urban waterway, once overtaken by  encroachment and marked by conflict and violence, can be transformed by giving it back to the  community as a resilient and inclusive public landscape.

Name & Location : LOOM SHADE FOR AMBER DENIM, GAZIPUR, BANGLADESH

Cost of Project : (US$) 1,00,00

Description of Project :

It is a shuttle loom shade for Amber Denim, placed within a natural setting located at a factory premise, at Gazipur, outskirts of Dhaka.

The layout is kept simple and open that houses loom machines, buyer’s lounge, dining for workers, prayer space and toilets.

It is a low-cost project where running expenses are considered as well. Introduction of a waterbody, bamboo screen etc. are done.

This project attempts to arrive at a Traditional – Modern theme by following basic vernacular principles in design.

Materials of Construction Details :

Bamboo screens – locally available & vernacular material

High ceiling – so that heated air is released outside

Concrete walls – durable, makes the space cool & comfortable

Handmade concrete roofing tiles – durable and climate responsive

Neat cement finish floor – durable and keeps the space cool

Materials are used in ways and places that allow them to use the inherent quality and provide easy repair and replacement.

Special Features :

The project got its inspiration from traditional land/water scape of rural Bangladesh.

Traditional form of roofing and plan layout is used here which is called ‘Do-chala’.

A dialogue with the surrounding landscape is created by bringing the nature in. Traditional loom-craftsmen worked in craft-villages in this type of open layout.

NAME OF THE PROJECT : Dusai Resort & Spa, Moulovi Bazar, Sylhet, Bangladesh

BUILT IN AREA: 11103.42 sq. m.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Dusai Resort & Spa is a destination resort equipped to serve more than 180 guests at a time with guest living facilities of 80 rooms, 3 restaurants, children’s playground facilities, swimming pool, spa, convention hall etc . Guestrooms are nested on top of the hillocks while the services and walkways are placed in the valleys.

Program:

Reception Hall Wing, equipped with car drop, open lounge facilities and back office. The open pavilion like structure floats in the water surrounding the reception area.

Convention Centre and Motel Wing, equipped to accommodate 60 guests with 20 rooms and a convention hall for 70 persons for meetings

and events with dining facility.

Main hotel, located at the central area consisting 30 rooms for 60 guests. It also accommodates back of house facilities and main kitchen and laundry facilities in the semi basement area.

4 Suite Villas, accommodates 40 guests in Duplex and Triplex with 2 no. of bedroom suites in each villa.

5 Deluxe Villas, accommodating 48 guests in 24 rooms, each villa consisting independent 4 guest rooms

2 Presidential Villas, of independent cottages with separate guest rooms

Spa with 6 treatment rooms with the view of the hills

3 Thematic Restaurants with dining and all equipped kitchen facilities

Boat Station, docking 10 boats.

Gym, for 6 users with locker room and changing facility for male and female and steam bath.

Parking with 55 car parking facilities with 4 minivans along with drivers waiting shed.

Drivers Dormitory for 10 person in 3 rooms.

Children’s Play Area in the valley for the enjoyment of different age group of children

Swimming pool in 3 tiers. First tier consisting Jacuzzi pool, in second relaxing pool and at the end lap pool with heating facilities. It has large deck area and a sunken café.

Guest Maid Dormitory for 12 persons

Mosque for 100 persons

GM & Executive Quarters for 16 Executives

Staff Accommodation Blog with 16 rooms accommodating 70 staffs

Existing Owners Bungalow

Golf Lounge And Bar

Utility Blog for electro mechanical facilities.

MATERIALS

The project construction materials comprise of locally available materials combined with indigenous construction techniques. Concrete structure infills are comprised of brick walls. Outdoor facade rendered with fair face cement plaster and indoor facades comprises of regular cement mortar plaster rendered and painted. All floors are finished with homogenous matt finished tiles & Villas have wooden floors. General ceilings are cement plastered and finished with paint and some parts are dry gypsum plaster finished.

All the upper floors of the villas and the valley restaurant have exposed roof structure with bamboo & thatch roof ceiling. In some public spaces comprise exposed roof structure with wood and wood veneered finished ceiling. The hand rails grab bars and doors are made with locally acquired aged walnut colored solid wood. All out door surfaces are natural finish so that it blends well with the surrounding green nature. Pitch roofs are a mix of handmade mud tiles and thatch roof with high pitch varying 24-40 degree slope to withhold the heavy rain during monsoon.

Name & Location: Mosque at Amber Denim Mills Ltd. Gazipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Cost of Project: (US$) 30,000

Built-up area: 1044sqm
(In case of Public Building minimum built-up area should be 1000 sq. meter)

Description of Project:

The rural setting of Bangladesh shows close relation and side-by-side existence of natural water and people. Each village home has a small pond beside it. These homes in the rural setting are self sustained, naturally ventilated. They exist in harmony with the sur- rounding nature and green. The Denim Mosque created such a self sustaining system, harmoniously set in the vernacular setting. The water body around the mosque provides a necessary threshold to separate it from other buildings of this area .The mosque is completely naturally ventilated. It celebrates the tradition of craft from rural Bangladesh. The perforated screen of the mosque with- holds a sense of crafted modernism in style. Its installation technique is inspired from the vernacular technology of mud block instal- lation.

The Denim Mosque is a low cost structure. In situ finishing materials are used instead of market materials. The floor is neat cement finished, screen has hand-made concrete block walls, roofing material is industrial sheet and ceiling is made with pine wood. The mosque shows a contemporary tropical expression. The essence of crafted modernism is evident in here. The mosque surely cre- ates the vernacular harmony between nature and people that stems from the very core of rural Bangladesh.

Materials of Construction Details :

Foundation: RCC Column on individual footing

Structure: Column and truss underneath roof

Space: Functional space is surrounded by perforated screen

Roof: Roofing system-Low cost industrial sheet roof

Finish: Mostly finishing surfaces are hand made, using CC block as wall finish, CC microtile as floor finish, Pine wood ceilling.

Special Features:

Side-by-side existence of natural water and people

Self sustained, naturally ventilated

Waterbody as threshold to create a buffer for mosque from the surrounding

The perforated screen of the mosque withholds a sense of crafted modernism in style

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

AJO, in bangla is often used to describe something old, left out or irrelevant to its time. The word was coined by the restaurants Founder and ideator Khaled Mahmud, as it was his idea to convert a left over space and turn it into a unique cafe near an art gallery. It was a very’ popular hangout space for artist, thinkers, designers as well as common people, It acted as a platform where anyone could meet and talk with artists and intellects. But the project was shut down in early 2015 as the property lease expired. It was difficult to find a similar setting. They finally found an empty plot of 234sqrn in Uttara, which is at the northern end of Dhaka. It is small residential street with a beautiful park connected at its back.

Apart from being a Cafe and restaurant, Ajo’s Owner wanted to create an ‘Eastern place, where people subconsciously could feel connected and instantly find an attachment to the space, The japanese idea ‘WABI SABI’ was continuously discussed to generate the essence of the new Ajo. The challenge was to find out what constituted the memory of the previous restaurant and how it could be recreated in a completely different context.

The final Structure has been designed as a pavilion, which is the basic character of this region. To have a roof over your head casting shadow while the landscape and wind flows through. The only controlled volume was the kitchen, The dining areas have been placed on top and around two sides Of it at ground level. This whole arrangement has been covered with a prefabricated metal vault. This allowed free movement of air and light. A punch was cut open in the vault to place a large tree inside the dining area.. The details in the interior were done in a very loose manner with modest furniture, to subconsciously make people feel relaxed around the new space. The top floor has been kept open largely to encourage weekly gathering of community adults/ children for discussion on contemporary topics and cultural ethics. The restaurant works as a creative gathering space where people come to dine relax and talk about their Ideas. Inspired by the events, this new premise has been named as ‘Ajo Idea space’.

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION DETAILS:
Foundation: RCC
Super structure: Composite as follows.
1. Structural slab: Floor slab and main stair RCC.
2. Partition wall: Kitchen, store and toilet partition walls Brick masonry,
3. Frame: The Frame is made of Metal I section,
4. Roof: a vault is made of prefabricated engineered steel sheet.
5. Glass Partition: 10 mm Tempered glass
6. Screen: double layered (3″ apart) perforated metal mesh (5 mm perforation)
7. Fence: The boundary is made of reused steel net.
8. Service lines: Surface connections with exposed wiring.
9 Furniture: Reused timber from shipwreck.
IO. Floor finish: Terrazzo
11. Doors and windows: Reused Metal sheets and angles have been used.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Natural ventilation: The complete restaurant is naturally ventilated, Larger inlets in south and east side and outlet in the west road face allows ample air flow.
2. Day lighting: The volume has been carefully proportioned to avoid deep areas, the entire place is lit with ambient day light. The vault has been used as reflector to minimize use of light fixtures at night.
3. Energy efficiency: The entire project has a very minimal energy consumption compared to similar scale restaurants as it is completely non air-conditioned and uses full day light reducing the energy consum ption for lighting,
4. Material Source: Construction in general has been kept to a minimum. The concreting has been done with reused wooden shutters, and reused steel sheets, rods and angles have been used for doors and windows.
5 Construction Process: Most of the details have been done in such a way that structural elements can be knocked down and reused
6. Landscape: Local plants have been selected and arranged both inside and outside the shell, with a special screen to allow day light and air movement to help grow them properly.
7, Volume configuration: The vault was considered mainly to reduce weight and create a large span. Also to take up the hot air above the occupants level and be easily pushed out through natural air movement from the central void that has been cut open.
8. Screen: special screen was designed with two perforated metal mesh that allowed air and light,broke the rain water and made it flow on its surface while it rains heavily.
9. Crafted details: most of the handles and details were custom made by local metal workers, with a conscious aim to generate value for their services and skill.
IO: Furniture: All furniture and fixtures are made from reused or left over materials from shipwrecks and other 2nd hand retailors. The idea was to give value to things that was once considered barren or out of use.

he place where “Blues H. Office” is standing today, was simply occupied by a warehouse before. When “Blues” decided to shift their office right beside there warehouse, the primary plan was simple. They wanted to build a normal work space where they can accommodate 30 to 40 workstation. After building the foundation, they gave it a second thought and decided to do something different with it. “Blues” management people approached the Architect to do something out of the box with it.

The whole concept was to build a creative & playful office with multiple playful spaces which can be used for meeting, conference, meet up etc. Blues employees’ working hour is not stereotypically nine to five, they have long working hours. Keeping this in mind “Blues H. Office” has been designed.

Materials of construction details:

1. Pre-fabricated metal exoskeleton as main frame.

2.Tri-layered polycarbonate sheets were used to provide thermal comfort and reduce cooling load.

3. Double glazed glass facade to reduce heat gain and indoor-outdoor relationship.

4. Floor slab with poly concrete deck panels.

5. Pre-fabricated wooden panels as floor finish materials.

6. RCC and brick was used only in service blocks which were placed to reinforce the metal exoskeleton.

Salient features:

To create an open environment for office and activity, service was designed in a compact manner. This organization helped to shape up lofty space for work and group task as well as efficient service management, cost reduction and ease of maintenance.

For reduction of cost and maintaining original footprint the existing concrete foundation was utilized by fabricating a metal structure over it .VRF air conditioning ,centralized service block has been placed inside the building.

The high ceiling and large transparent glass façade allows natural light to the core of the building that undergoes constant changes as light reflections alter over the course of the day. At night, the Blues Communication Limited office is lit by white Led-lights, resembling a giant luminaire, while making the building shimmer in dialogue with the surrounding the vibrant neighborhood. Providing all ancillary facilities with seven parking space, Vehicular and pedestrian access along with 2 vertical and other horizontal circulation. Landscape has ample green and plants to create a better workplace.