Glass House

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT:

With my friend late Shafiullah bhai first meet with Latif Khan in his office in karwanbazar. Knowing that I am an architect without thinking and checkup my background or quality of the work he requested me to design a vacation house on his land at Laxipur, Rajbari. He desired to build vacation house with all glass all around and also in inside partition even in the toilet his idea and desire to enjoy nature from every place from every corner from the building also enjoying all the modern facilities.

Very interesting person also very interesting project. After finalizing the conceptual design the design, he requested me to take all responsibilities including construction of the building. It was not my field and I also avoided construction work. Because in my opinion it reduces and ultimately hampers the design work. He became more involved in construction work with all its trouble activities.

After refusing several times he told his wife’s birthday after five months, he wants to present this vacation house to his wife. In his opinion I can only save him and complete the house. Sentimental blackmail. Construction work not possible for me so I evolved Shafiullah bhai and Dr Mozzamal a professor by DUET which it close to the site he has also the supporting facilities.

THE SITE:

The site at Rajabari, Laxmipur, Gajipur, Sreepur.A remote place from Mymensingh road through Rajendrapur Cantonment. Area of land 5.63 bigha with pond, one story building with 2 bed room. Separate Service block. one shed for sitting and smaller shed for pet animal and duck and lots of trees around.

I first went there in rainy season it was a magnificent view around the plot. Big red Shapla around the plot. Looking like area carpet specially the south-west side of the plot.

Beautiful nature, absolute privacy with fantastic view without disturbing of any human being. Right place for a Glass House.

DESIGN CONCEPT:

There was a low land back of the side with curve shape.

Reason of selecting this low land. 

1. Need not to cut or remove any tree for the building.
2. Due to dead end, whole front side open including pond.
3. Fantastic view of south east side can be enjoyed without any obstruction 
4. That low land was not being used.

Segment of quarter of a circle 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 central point of circle every grid radiated Collum. Space for different functions synchronizing with that radiated grid. This watery space of zero-point design. From zero-point water fall started which create very prominent structure of the building.

Water fall began its journey from zero point only hole or space for the mouth of water pipe. Volume gradually increased both vertically and horizontally radiating from zero point and end its journey in front of entry lobby which is connected with the entry veranda to the bridge then landing into the main land.

Otherwise before entering to sites parking space, no position for car inside the complex. From gate walkway up to bridge for entering the vacation house then entry veranda to inside space entry lobby then waterfall. Water falling from zero point. Bigger space to smallest space gradually zero to infinity.

Ground level of building 10’ to 12’ from existing low land. In rainy season sometimes water level rises upto1’ to 2’, So building based on column supported on pile peripheral beam with flat plate.

The clint wanted a structure that affeered a panoramic view of the surrounding nature and waterbody from inside. This is why the optimum use of glass was considered. The structure build without disturbing the nature and make it beautiful, peaceful place with sound of water for clints vacation. 

Changes of Design:

Originally the vacation house one story from ground level with 3’ bedroom. Sitting, dining, kitchen with deck & bar satisfactory for big party and facilities for vacation house.

After casting the 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 floor higher”

Luckly another one-story provision was there in structure. Architecturally rearranging the functions and height of the water fall.

Indoor games and gym at semi basement. Ground floor which is connected with the bridge to pedestrian walkway. Entry lobby then hall room providing sitting spaces, dining, family space with a circular stairs and waterfall. Entire west portion spacious sock with bar and toilet facilities. Newly added upper floor private zone only for the client family. Owners suit with study connected to the waterfall. Walkin closet and verandah in western side. Another two bed room for children with a family with kitchen hall for B.B.Q. sitting and toilet position in the roof top.

Outside surface all tempered glass from floor to beam. Internal space also divided by tempered glass except few solid walls for electrical switch board and lines plumbing pipe and toilet for privacy 

Averring space for birds from the spaces beam connecting from zero point to main structure. That space open to sky covered with wire mesh.

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