|From the architect|

Old DOHS (Defense Officers Housing Society) is probably one of the most secured and tranquil residential area in Dhaka. Having a 12,939 sft. south facing plot with numbers of trees within and without the site is a fortune in the context of Dhaka.

Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities in the world has become a city of urban mayhem. Having less than five percent green area for a city of more than 500 square miles with a growing population of disparity and persistent, Dhaka is fast losing its ambiance.

The concept of the project is resultant of context, climate and desire. Most importantly having the road on south, two storied residence on the east and north is a plus point but having a six storied apartment building with 43 windows on the west is a challenge in terms of privacy for this four storey single unit residence.

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The idea is to push back the house as much as possible on the north to create a south lawn as big as possible, a first step of the design. This was done keeping in mind the sub-tropical climate of Dhaka with its winter inclined sun on the south and summer wind flow from the south-east. This south-east lawn also helps to retain the trees on the south edge of the side which is combined with the roadside trees making a green patch very substantial.

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The next step of design is to create a 35 feet long steel bridge plunging out from the house at level three (family space) entering into the south edge tree foliage within and without the boundary wall of the lot. The intention is to “dwell in the house and forest.”

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Project at a glance

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