Compact urban living with legacy of green
Being contained by building blocks this multiple family residence is located in a typically dense urban fabric of Dhaka city. Only front is exposed to a lake at the east that contributed the key decision of this residence designed by Oli Mahmud. Each level renders double apartment block, while 2nd floor occupies a single residence. Ground level provides parking and other service facilities.
Arrangements of living space are intensified by the use of natural light and wind flow into the interior space. Traditional hanging type verandas at front provide wide lake view and reduce incoming air temperature. Rigid functional arrangements were overwhelmed by the involvement of nature at different extent. A small double height sky court with green vegetation below topmost level creates strong dialogue with the front lake and the adjacent environment. External visual aperture and installation of plants as an essential extended part of the interior space humanize the built environment with the immediate context symbolically.
Some casual seating arrangement with garden at rooftop reduces solar heat gain at the upper floor. It also accommodates some of the leisure activities of the inhabitants of the building, which has great scarcity in Dhaka city. Budget constrain was a vital issue of this project, which was confronted by careful selection of local building materials, simple design solution and construction technique.
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