Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects

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Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects

Information

  • Project Name: Ayna Burir Adar
  • Practice: Sharal Architects
  • Products: Rak ceramics , Mirpur Ceramic , TOBO , Autocad , Sketchup , Lumion , Corel Draw , Adobe Photoshop , Adobe Illustrator
  • Completion year: 2022
  • Gross Built up Area: 315 SqM / 3400 sft
  • Project Location: Kanaikhali, Rajshahi
  • Country: Bangladesh
  • Design Team: Ar. Md. Mainul Islam, Ar. Anindita Laz Banti
  • Clients: Sohani Hossain
  • Structural Consultants: Eng. Sanjoy Mohan Sarker
  • Project Manager: Eng. Sagar Ahmed
  • Photo Credits: Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto
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Excerpt: Ayna Burir Adar, designed by Sharal Architects, maintains a connection with the climate, light, and nature to enhance visual and tactile interaction with its surroundings. The lush surroundings of the site inspired the architects to select colors and textures that would draw attention to the building without overpowering the serene environment. The color and texture of the building create a natural sense of being immersed in the comforting earth.

Project Description

[Text as submitted by architect] The building is in a modest residential neighborhood in Natore district of Rajshahi Division in northern Bangladesh. The 2.7 katha property has a frontage that offers beautiful views of nature and looks out over Kanaikhali field toward the west. Its northern boundary is shared with Ansar Camp. This Kanaikhali field was a deep jungle many years ago, where people were afraid to live due to the danger posed by wild animals. An old woman named Ayna built her shelter and lit her lamp, allowing her to dwell there without fear. This served as the inspiration for the building’s name, “আয়না বুড়ির আদার” (means, Jungle of the old woman Ayna).

Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Interplay of light & Shadow on the corridor © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto
Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
© Sharal Architects

The family consists of a couple, their children, and their elderly mother. The client clearly wanted unrestricted access to the grounds as they were rebuilding their home to resemble the previous one that had been here before. It has 6 bedrooms with attached washrooms, balconies, living space, family living, dining space, kitchen, storeroom, study room, and terraces. A cluster of bamboo trees is situated next to the stairs that follow the three-story building, providing a chance to bring nature inside the structure.

Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Lush surroundings of the site © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto
Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Lush green of spiral stair terrace © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto

The lush surroundings of the site inspired the architects to select a color and texture palette that would draw attention to the building without overpowering the serene environment. Building components like concrete, exposed brick, wood, glass, and ms bar are used in the construction of the building. An element that both the built environment and nature share, “Brick,” was chosen to portray this interacting link. “Concrete,” in its raw state, was then used to consolidate it. The color and texture of the building creates a natural sense of being immersed by the comforting earth. 

Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Bedroom with open to sky balcony © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto
Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
The visual connectivity & Interaction of the house © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto

In order to create two linear living spaces that are east-west aligned and to allow natural light and ventilation to circulate throughout the interior spaces, the building’s basic mass is reduced. This leaves an open space in the center as a central courtyard. Balconies and circulation pathways within the open space provide direct access to the courtyard, which offers a connection to the exterior. This courtyard enhances the visual connectivity of the entire building. 

Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Open corridors, places of joy © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto
Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Staircase, connecting levels © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto
Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
© Sharal Architects

A significant stairway has been added near the existing clustered bamboo tree to connect the building at different levels. Additionally, stairs and all other features are placed around the courtyard to allow for natural light and ventilation to enter all interior spaces. The interior layout of the spaces was designed to represent an approach to combine habitat and nature. Terrace gardens are formed by eliminating mass from the second level, along with greater visual linkages and sunlight accessibility. 12-inch-thick walls and small windows on the west side control the temperature inside the bedroom.

Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Family living space with large windows © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto
Ayna Burir Adar | Sharal Architects
Top floor study room with lush green open terrace © Prantography / Junaid Hasan Pranto

Large windows also provide cross ventilation for each compartment on the opposing sides. The structure gains a new dimension by adding design features like brick-jali, pointing brick wall, spiral stairs, and a pergola. Through the thoughtful use of color, texture, voids, workmanship, the terrain, and the movement of light and shadow, this project aimed to maintain a connection with the climate, light, and nature to enhance visual and tactile interaction with its surroundings.

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