Glass House

AT RAJABARI, LAXMIPUR, GAJIPUR, SREEPUR.

CLIENT: Latif Khan (Vice President of Summit Group)

DESIGN ARCHITECT   :Mesba Ul Kabir.

ARCHITECT          : HarunurRashid

ENGINEER           : Dr.Mozzamal Hoque

AREA OF BUILDING   :9,990SFT

Construction        :2020

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT:

The first time Imet the Latif Khan (client of this project), was with my friend late Shafiullahbhai, in his office in karwanbazar. He knew that I am an architect, and withoutchecking up my background or quality of the work and without second thought, herequested me to design a vacation house on his land at Laxipur, Rajbari. Hedesired to a build vacation house with glass all around, including the insidepartitions, even in the toilet, intrigued me. His idea and desire were to enjoynature from every corner of the building while having access to all the modernfacilities.

He is a very interestingperson also very interesting project. After finalizing the conceptual designthe design, he requested me to take all responsibilities including constructionof the building. It was not my field as I avoided any type of construction workand turn- key projects. Because, in my opinion, it reduces creativity andultimately hampers the design work. Thus, he became more involved inconstruction work with all its trouble activities.

After refusingseveral times he showed the excuse of his wife’s upcoming birthday in fivemonths, and insisted that he wanted to gift this vacation house to his wife. Inhis opinion, only I can complete the house and save him. This emotional appealtouched me, but construction work not possible for me. So, I involvedShafiullah bhai and Dr Mozzamal, a professor of DUET, who worked closeto the site and had ample supporting facilities.

THE SITE:

The site is at Rajabari,Laxmipur, Gajipur, Sreepur. A remote place from Mymensingh road, with access isthrough Rajendrapur Cantonment. Area of land is 5.63 bigha. In it is a pondsurrounding a one-story building with 2 bed room and separate service block. Oneshed for sitting and smaller shed for pet animal and duck and lots of trees around.

I first wentthere in rainy season. The site was a magnificent view to behold. Big red waterliliesfloated around the plot. Looking like a red carpet, especially at thesouth-west side of the plot.

Beautifulnature, absolute privacy with fantastic view without disturbing of any humanbeing. The perfect place for a Glass House.

DESIGN CONCEPT:

There was a curveshaped low land at the back of the site.

Reason ofselecting this low land.

a)      Neednot to cut or remove any tree for the building.

b)     Dueto dead end, whole front side open including pond.

c)      Fantasticview of south east side can be enjoyed without any obstruction

d)     Thatlow land was not being used.

One quarter of acircle or one fourth of a circle beautifully fit with the contours of low land.It also provides beautiful view of south-west side/Shapla Jhill.

Form the centralpoint of the circle, each grid is radiated. Columns space for differentfunctions synchronizing with that radiated grid. Thus, creating space of zero-pointdesign. From zero-point, the water fall started. This creates a very prominent featureof the building.

At zero point,there is an external water fall feature connected to the main building, whichalso, is a sloped waterfall internally. The external water fall begins itsjourney at an impressive height from the only hole given for the mouth of waterpipe. This waterwall is internally rhombus in shape, and gradually increases bothvertically and horizontally, radiating from zero point and ending its journeyin front of entry lobby. Here it is connected with the entry veranda which leadsto a bridge and then lands into the main land.

The entry to thesite is greeted with the only parking space of the project. There is no spacefor carparking inside the complex. From the gate, there is a walkway up to a bridgeto enter the vacation house. Then comes the entry veranda, leading inside tothe entry lobby, where we find the waterfall. Here water falling from zero point.Bigger space to smallest space, gradually zero to infinity.

Ground level ofbuilding is raised 10’ to 12’ from existing low land. In rainy season sometimeswater level rises 1’ to 2’, So building based on column, supported on pileperipheral beam with flat plate.

The clientwanted a structure that offered a panoramic view of the surrounding nature andwaterbody from inside. This is why the optimum use of glass was considered. Thestructure was built without disturbing the nature, making it a beautiful andpeaceful place with sound of water for clints vacation.

Changes of Design:

Originally thevacation house was one storied, and 10’ to12’ above existing low ground level.It was designed to have 3-bedroom, sitting, dining, kitchen with deck & bar.This was satisfactory for a big party and all facilities were enough for anideal vacation house.

After castingthe roof of ground floor, Latif khan was disappointed and told me “Mesba bhai,I cannot see the nature due to surrounding trees, please make it one floorhigher”

Luckly anotherone-story provision was there in structure. Thus, architecturally the functionswere rearranged and height of the water fall was increased.

Indoor games andgym are in the semi basement. The ground floor is connected with the bridge topedestrian walkway. Entry lobby meets with a large hall room, providing ample sittingspaces, dining, family space with a circular stairs and waterfall. The entire westportion accommodates a spacious deck with bar and toilet facilities. Newlyadded upper floor is private zone, meant for the client’s family only. The Mastersuit with study is connected to the waterfall. Walk-in closet and verandah areplaced on the western side. Another two bed rooms are provided for the childrenwith a family living and a kitchenette. A hall for B.B.Q. sitting and toilet areaccommodated in the roof top.

The outside surfaceshowcases all tempered glass from floor to beam. The internal space is alsodivided by tempered glass, except few solid walls for electrical switch boardsand lines, plumbing pipes and toilet for privacy.

Aviary space forbirds from the spaces beam connecting from zero point to the main structure.That space is open to sky, covered with wire mesh.

From zero pointthrough water fall connecting the building to infinite space of nature.

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