‘Gulshan Pride’, a multi storied multi-family residence built in 1995 was designed by eminent Architect Late Bashirul Haq. The building itself was a prominent one in North Gulshan Residential area for its skillful articulation in the exterior and interior spaces of its Duplex Blocks.

Mr. and Mrs. Ismail Hossain later purchased the land along with the complex to build a happening and engaging family home for their three children. As the requirements of the users extended and ownership was changed, the idea was to convert the simplex block (6 apartments in 3 floors) into a single family residence ensuring desired connectivity within the premise and surrounding area seemed to be a prerequisite for the new home.

The site is located at a prime location of the North Gulshan Residential Area. It’s a corner plot oriented towards East-West at the intersection of Road 75 & 84. To accommodate the new building, parts of the Simplex at the south side was remodel and the residence is elongated through the North-South direction. The building is open to the north side towards a green internal court to cater the diffused daylight and view of the greeneries of the court as well as the whole compound. It also allows the cross ventilation in all the levels of the house.

A multistoried single family residence has some challenges in terms of separating public and private spaces keeping the spontaneous internal connections and circulations in different levels. The building is oriented in such a manner to have a pleasant and easy access to public levels from ground by adding a single flight stair through the internal court to the living area. An Observation lift in the internal courtyard at North side of this block has ensured a connection with the site surrounding and an interesting vertical journey to various levels of the residence. The northern part of the residence has full height glass facades and swing band windows ensures cross ventilation. The goal of this project was to keep connection with the climate, light and nature which was successful through using color, texture, landscape, play of light and shadow to enrich visual and tactile understanding with its surrounding.

The individual floors are of open plan which provides effortless visual connection among all the spaces. Each floor is provided with affluent cross ventilation and natural light. The Ground Floor, First Floor and Roof together could be used for hosting different internal events too. The double height veranda provides a connection between the public and semi-public spaces. The meticulously crafted metal and Iron wooden screen of the double height space interplays with light throughout the daytime elevating the interior spaces as well as ensures comfort and privacy from the junction of roads. In the evening and at night, it looks like a giant soft-lit glowing lantern that enhances the neighborhood. The internal floors are connected vertically with a featured Folded Metal Plate and Burma Teak Wooden stair that has been elegantly suspended from the ceiling with cables to create connection among all the floors. The internal triple height space in between the stair has been lit delicately with customized chandelier to give the entire composition a space to applaud, cherish and celebrate.

The new building was remodeled mostly in the old structural system of RCC frame structure. The old columns and beams surround with cavity walls were made of machine-made exposed ceramic bricks. To retain the harmony, the new building was made with red exposed solid gas burnt clay brick and cut into sections of various sizes to craft inimitable brick walls. The private level is distinguished both form interior and exterior by wooden textured grey concrete walls ensuring a sense of strength and protection of the dwellers.

There are two terraces on opposite ends at the Private Floor that ensure both customized personal and gathering spaces between the family members with care. The Roof consists of a Bar-B-Que corner, Semi outdoor and outdoor seating lounge to entertain fellow guests during gathering and parties. The roof is planted with various seasonal flowers and fruits which enhances the environmental quality of the residence and compliments with the exterior as well.

The site was already full of local plants and large trees with seasonal flowing which provided a peaceful and cool environment for the inhabitants. The roof is designed in a manner of garden which merges with the surrounding natural vegetation. The central court of the complex is covered with local grass, ferns and stones and pebbles. The boundary wall and the wooden screens through the balconies and terraces are covered with creepers with season blooms.