CADET COLLEGE CLUB COMPLEX
Closed Architectural Design Competition
“We must live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.”
Having shared similar childhood experiences of learning and training at alike facilities, cadets have a unique bond that ties them for life. As they start their journey as “ex- cadets”, this event incites an ambition for celebration of their profound brotherhood. Crafting a campus to commemorate and create memories.
Site Location : Purbachal, Narayanganj
Site Area : 1.5 Acres
Client : Cadet College Club Limited
Architectural Consultant : Joint Venture with Zero.D Consultants
Leading an active lifestyle all throughout their lives, such practices are engrained in a Cadets routine.
Keeping this notion at the forefront of the design while responding to the given requirements and exploring the merits the active site forces, a formal expression takes shape.
Stationed in an unique geographical location, the project is confronted with multiple challenges that are seen as possibilities. Activities of modern life can bloom when there are moments, opportunities, and spaces for free interactions among users.
A list of programs was set by phases of construction. From the given requirement, Health club facilities, Games and Sports facilities, Administration Offices and Guest facilities were insisted in Phase 1. Club facilities with Supporting utility services and Building management services in Phase 2, and finally a Conventional Hall and Party rental facilities in Phase 3.
Understanding the time frame of construction and the usability of a club, we have given the functions attention and identified the scope to go beyond the given frameworks to the users benefit. Opting for new structures while keeping the existing buildings functioning was a challenge that was tackled with utmost care through flow of functions and its placement.
During phase 1, we included a lounge along with reception area, that we deemed necessary given the nature of a social club. Users are guided from the drop off to the lounge through a triple height lofty space alongside a defining statement wall - separating the served and service zones. The lobby extends to the outdoor space – ‘The heart of the complex’, through a shallow water body, blending and blurring indoor outdoor functions effortlessly, heightening the experience further.
Reflecting on the lifestyle of the cadets, a Sports facility zone is fashioned ensuring activities. The block is deliberately designed in a staggered manner as an expression of elevating and extruding the ground, and additionally accommodating multiple functions throughout the levels and providing connectivity between the neighboring levels within the compound of different activities. Being the central complex, it is benefited from mutual shading of the adjacent buildings on both ends.
Existing East West oriented tennis court on the ground is proposed to be in North South orientation on level 4. Gymnasium, Court, Pool, snooker, Table tennis, Chess, cards etc. makes the sport arena more successful and vibrant.
The water body is consciously designed and diligently placed to bring about a trace of tranquility in a multifaced facility. The columns in the water body put on a playful show, shadow casted from East on the Lobby. The outdoor space becomes a gathering point as well as the point of divergence of the facility, giving the space a democratic character. A Sculptural stair is placed in a timeless manner against the Lobby, partially over the water body.
Opting for indigenous solutions, the materials used in construction were carefully selected to be cost effective and energetically solvent. Materials like Grey Cement block Jali were used on the East and West facade to ensure adequate ventilation and light; in turn reducing the operational cost of the complex significantly. The cement blocks used were economical as they consume less heat unlike other commonly used materials therefore reducing the carbon footprint of the compound. The shading comes in layers – on the south facade Brise Soleil were used, enabling an organic flow of vegetation on the surfaces, ensuring quality light and limiting heat gain in the compound. The windows are a modern adaptation of traditional method of ventilation and view. Operable apertures are known to instigate a psychological sense of relief.
The complex in encapsulated by natural vegetation throughout, spreading over multiple facets. The ground comprising of a Banyan tree – which hosts the gathering of various events; Hijol trees on the water body- decorating the supple surface and Cantina palm trees at the edge of the site opening up vistas against the river.
A roundabout is introduced to tackle certain Urban issues like solving a dead-end loop, an active river bay pedestrian walkway, Urban green strip and bicycle track. A boating station and fishing deck spread over a larger deck that can facilitate more than the required amount.
The complex in encapsulated by natural vegetation throughout, spreading over multiple facets. The ground comprising of a Banyan tree – which hosts the gathering of various events; Hijol trees on the water body- decorating the supple surface and Cantina palm trees at the edge of the site opening up vistas against the river.
A roundabout is introduced to tackle certain Urban issues like solving a dead-end loop, an active river bay pedestrian walkway, Urban green strip and bicycle track. A boating station and fishing deck spread over a larger deck that can facilitate more than the required amount.
