The mixed-use notion has gained ground against the traditional single-use zoning practice of city planning.  There is a growing understanding that we need vital amenities close to our living and working places for a vibrant urban life. Furthermore, many cities today have advocated compact development patterns to address the need to accommodate a burgeoning urban population and embraced the concept of vertical mixed-use to great effects. The vertical mixed-use development also encourages social interactions, the efficient use of land and energy, etc.

Two featured projects have a common objective that is to develop the archetype for mixed-use vertical development where the podium hosts public functions and becomes an interface to the city street while the tower houses more private functions such as living. Both projects explore the challenges that come with the juxtaposition of two different uses and associated programmatic and site requirements.

PROJECT 1| BRAC Tower

Payel Sen Gupta, Premier University, Chittagong

This project focuses on the current situation of Dhaka – one characterized by high densities and overcrowding, environmental degradation, severe traffic congestion and haphazard planning to solve the basic determinants of livability regarding the current population growth and the rapid demand of a place that will serve with recommended neighborhood facilities by creating relationships between different spatial layers to satisfy the identified factors that need improvement in a mixed-use high rise building.

The challenge was to provide and test ideas for a vertically organized architectural system that are geometrically associated to suit a variety of potential programmatic requirements and site conditions. Through the sets of cores and cellular façade, the tower becomes highly flexible and capable to house a multilayered program with the possibilities to open-plan arrangements.

The form is developed respecting the site aspects and many characteristics are included to improve the initial idea of the project from a concept to its final design. Nature-based solutions like green terrace, ground coverage, rainwater harvesting, natural heating and cooling, etc. are prioritized to make the mixed-use tower more energy efficient and responsive to nature.

PROJECT 2 | Vocational Training Centre

Rahinur Islam Rakib, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

The vocational training centre provides job-specific technical training with practical instructions. The centre is proposed in a site located in a dense urban district of Dhaka. The project explores the challenges arising from the mixing of two functions: vocational training facilities and dormitories.

In a vocational training centre, students learn from training, practicing and watching from each other. The design process begins with connecting these learning activity stages and translating them into programmatic functions articulated vertically. By designing spaces such as – courtyard, field, corridor, terraces and canteens, students are provided the opportunity to connect and share their works with each other. Promoting peer learning through active and passive (visual) connections is the key concept of the project.

The tower portion is trimmed down diagonally to cut off the west sun and terraces are designed to provide gathering space with wide-angle view. The treatment also offers a noise barrier coming from the busy traffics of the adjacent road.

CONTEXT contributing editor: Louise Bani Sarcar, B.Arch ( BUET)