Institute of Architects Bangladesh

Consultant: CAD Ltd.
Principal Architects : B K S Inan & Sayeda Sultana
Associate Architects: Mohammad Faruk

The attempt to accommodate the Various residential Character of spaces within a cube raises questions at two level, firstly, the legitimacy of a predetermined form to serve an end and secondly, whether or not the elemental objective of creating appropriate spaces has been fulfilled.
On the first question the jury felt that there are endless examples of predetermined form in architecture all through the ages. Design of an architect’s own house is determined by the architect in all aspects and offers an all the more interesting case study.

The solution stands our through its formal, functional and aesthetic design excellence. The notable features that can be cited are:

Within the confines of the cube, the design accomplishes though appropriate variations a dynamic and attractive form;
The continuity of the interior spaces through appropriate variations a dynamic and attractive form;
The continuity of the interior spaces through the entire volume lends a richly varied succession of spaces fitting the functional and emotional demands of the family.
The inside outside linkages of various spaces within the cube have been sensitively scaled and varied, responding to functional and emotional needs of the inmates.
The building materials and the surfaces are few, harmonious and touchable, demonstrating a sensitive and meaningful design approach.

Jury Citation
This single storied brick building is an example of intelligently laid out rooms clustered around two courtyards, for a team of French Archeologists, using the single abode as a place of work and living.

The building has been sensitively located at an elevation lower to its immediate surroundings, so as not to visually intrude on the ruins of Mahastangargh.

The designers achieved a right degree of separation between the working areas around the working court and the living areas around the living court, just enough to ensure privacy, yet not removed too much for comfort – making for very satisfied users. While the working court is a functional extension of the workplace, the contradiction of privacy and rooms opening out onto the court has been creatively handled by the use of the very contextual brickwork “Jali”. These Jalis placed across open to sky light wells between the covered walkway and the rooms, allows for good ventilation and natural light, as well.

The use of brick with its variations of use, the controlled use of colour on the metal doors and windows, the clear expression of the structural concrete, the sensitive detailing at the joints, the comfortably scaled indoor-outdoor spaces, all contribute towards a simple but strong compact theme. An element, that is essential for good architecture.

                                                Yasmin Ara,
                                                Nayma Khan,
                                                Mahmud Hossain Ferdoushi
                                                Sarwar Md. Shamsur Rouf
                                                Ishrat Jahan

Jury Citation
An ordinary residential building has been dexterously converted into an well-integrated building with a simple well-proportioned four-storied exterior, housing two extremely different uses.

Once inside, one feels that the office on the upper floors and the school on the lower ones, retain their individual identities and exclusive ground spaces and entrance spaces.

Structural clarity, a welcome restraint in the use of materials, careful detailing, a good understanding of the techniques of modulating spaces permeate through both the sections, setting a strong single theme.

Yet with sensitive selection of different floor and finish materials, along with the common use of as-cast concrete and brick, a balanced ambiance has been achieved for each of the two different uses.

Of special note is the very successful introduction of natural light into the building, using different but appropriate for the each use. The use of glass intermediate walls to allows light through in the office spaces. The introduction of a “court-like” open lobby going deep inside, making even the classrooms with no outside contact almost pleasant and acceptable.

The project, all through, instills into the visitor a sense of easy and comfortable belonging, an achievement that only a good designer can boast of.

Special Award for Environmental Conservation through Lake and Lake Side
Development at Dhanmondi

Jury Citation
The Jury feels that the Dhanmondi Lake Development project is unique in respect of its expanse, scope and relevance for Dhaka and the country, and as such it should be judged in a separate category under Urban and Environmental Conservation.

Generally improving the traffic circulation in the project area;
Preventing and removing encroachment on public land and water resources,
Restoration and improvement of environmental qualities, of land and water bodies in the project area.
Creating open spaces and physical amenities for recreation and leisure of the public.
Creating a vast architectural setting with integration of waterfront open spaces and promenades, as a roadmap for other developments.