ORNELLA, the tropical Apartment House of a perfect blend of Local Brick & Concrete
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From Meheroze Al Hassan
The economic revolution of manhood has taken place all over the world in the last few decades and Dhaka, being the capital of Bangladesh for 50 years, has not stayed idly rather kept moving with the Ages of Modernity. And the non enduring influence of the architecture remained a strong source of spirit from the Master Architect Louis I Kahn and his masterly crafted National Parliament Building has always been followed by local the Architects and designers.
Dhaka is home to one of the nation’s largest home aspiring populations. Responding to an urgent need for housing catered to serenely peaceful living mongering lifestyle conscious households. Architect Meheroze Al Hassan and PERSPECTA collaborated with several housing developers to transform once single storied low densely populated , low improved plot into a 9-unit, 100% affordable housing community. We envisioned ORNELLA as a chance to demonstrate how architecture can bring beauty and stature to challenging sites throughout the city, and to demonstrate how good architecture has the power to restore pride to Nature & Environment Aware people and to the neighborhoods in which they live.
Our hope, too, has always been to shift the awareness about what Residential housing can be. And Social Equity, Health, and the Well-being of Residents remained here, rather than separation, were our primaries so we chose for a rectangular building to permit openness and generous sums of natural light – both of which are keys to healthy thoughts. As the building rises in height, the natural elements raise wider, shading the floors below and stressing the overall openness of the project.
This design counteracts the weight of the regimented, repetitive balcony arrangements of typical Dhaka Apartments. In addition to being socially responsible, the project is ecologically accountable. We incorporated passive and active environmentally-friendly techniques, such as high-efficiency heating, cooling and other appliances and fixtures, as well as solar water heating, Renewable Electric Panel, high-efficiency windows, a living roof and several Green Beds and Planters at different levels including Ground floor, Apartment levels and Roof Terrace, and cross ventilation throughout the units.
The building has been trying to get certified as LEED Gold. Linking the building to the sidewalk is two linear gardening boxes at both the road sides Elevation, whereas entrance remained welcoming from the South side outdoor. And gathering spaces as a way to break down the public-private divide and produce a place for people to meet and be a part of their surroundings. We hope a simple space like the benches in the Roof Terrace – little more than a set of sitting arrangement that works as a place to rest or mingle – will permit the new residents to stay lively members of their neighborhood as opposed to being secluded in their living accommodations.
Project - ORNELLA
Architect: Meheroze Al Hassan
Consultant: PERSPECTA
Structural: Prof. Dr. Khasroo Miah (DUET)
Type: Residential Building
Area: 1500 sqm in 9 Apartment Floors
Unit Size: 160 sqm/floor
Construction Budget: 550K Usd
Photography: Shawkat Sharif Shawn & Sabin Huda.
Developer: Comprehensive Holdings & developments Ltd.
Period: 2016-2019
Location – Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka, Bangladesh