This project was nominated for Archiprix(2017) International  Hunter Douglas Award. This is the first nomination ever for Bangladesh. The project’s model was selected for re-making as a part of CEPT’s Summer Winter school’s model making course “RETHINKING MODELS” and was later exhibited. Earlier, the project made the long list of 50 Best Projects of Tamayouz International Award 2016.

Think, in near future there is no source of power. No furnace oil, no gas to produce electricity. Resources of our planet is decreasing at an alarming rate. We have to think about the future how can we live with the limited resources available. What if we can integrate numerous functions in a centralized infrastructure. What if architectural solutions come forward to eliminate the barriers.

In response to power crisis and water crisis in south east part of our country Bangladesh, we need to find alternative ways to produce renewable energy. A number of feasibility studies made in the 1980s and in 2014 which have the potential for setting mini-small hydropower stations of 10 kW to 30MW capacity.

What if these hydrological structures are integrated with the society and nature, what if they are inhabitable and act like  one small village, one breathing hydrological infrastructure? My proposal is that a prototypical hydrological infrastructure which not only generates power but also connected with society. A dam that holds the society. Current models of dam comprises the problems including, : dislocation, segregation and over imposition into its context, service specialization and ownership, and single-mindedness of aesthetic and function.

For these reasons, my proposal of searching for a Breathing Dam is towards a new typology of hydrological infrastructure – away from the image of hydrological infrastructures, and towards a model which is not only connected but also integrated with society, to create archology which may help alter the public perception of the essential infrastructures and reduce many of the negative consequences associated with infrastructure management. Also eliminate the flash flood and water crisis of the hill tracts.

This dam will provide them with the scope for better agriculture and water management system. And  the power will help them to make a self sufficient village. Together, with the integration of ecology, society and infrastructure, the breathing Dam will become a  prototype of a modern ‘hydraulic empire’.

The site is located in Dochori Bazaar ghat, Alikadam, Bandarban which is an Area of 34 acre. But project footprint is 4 acre.  Ministry of power, mineral and energy  along with an American organization analyzed few sites in south eastern corner of Bangladesh. The proposed  site is designated as j17.

Around the world flat plate buttress dams are used as a cost effective, high capacity and durable structure system to hold hydrological structures. It can reach a height above 640′. So for this, The project of 170′ inhabitable infrastructure would do easily in our context. This type of dams are very efficient where the ground soil is not that strong. For this project Flat plate  buttress dam is selected for its construction efficiency and cost efficiency.

Preliminary study models are to explore the structure pattern and how the infrastructure is going to integrate with the contours. In order to understand the complexity of the project there is a need of understanding the structure & zoning of  programs integrated with the whole structure; connected by multiple layers of circulation. The diagram illustrates how the structure is ordered and how different zones are integrated within the flat plate buttress dam.

Program generating for the breathing infrastructure came from solving the existing problem and limitations. Women’s are proactive in their society though they are deprived. Health care facility almost rare in the context. There is no scope for ethnic craft showcasing. Electricity is almost a dream for the families. From the above problems and situation I have concluded to 4 major  program. 1. Women’s opportunity Centre 2. Health care facility  3. Power station 4. Residential facility.

The hydrological breathing unit will serve as dwelling for people. women’s opportunity centre will be the hub for women empowerment. Health care facility will improve the health condition of the region. This centre will showcase and celebrate  the ethnic culture. Hydro electric power plant will produce power for 5000 families. Dam will create hydrological resource  for drinking, irrigation and water based transportation. the dam will house one permanent elementary school and one local market.

My strategy was to conceive a policy to train and integrate local people to come to that facility and get benefited. Through women empowerment this place will work as a hub for women. This facility will serve as centre for opportunity, primary education hub and power supply for the regional families.

This design is an inverted kind of  design. Spaces will be contained in itself. But in some extent it will be expressive. Spaces are designed as it can provide enclosure in between the structure. The design is inspired from the solidity of hills and their character. The whole buttress dam is integrated with the hill and the architecture is integrated with structure. Structure reveals architecture then it becomes spaces.

For this kind of unique project the plan does not come from the bottom to be understood but from the top of the dam where all the story begins. The upstream water is high and the downstream is low. All the functions are facing toward the southern downstream, so air ventilation and the light throughout the day is easily penetrate the inner spaces.

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