Water and Green -- Essence of Bangladesh
Water, the most precious, abundant and life subtly woven in it, makes Bangladesh a country of toil and.
Rejoicing Kahn, Romancing with the Sun -- a Celestial Transformation
Louis I. Kahn and his approach for the overall parliament complex and Sangsad Bhaban has been taken in the scheme as a “Basics”. The “Celestial square” of Parliament building has been shifted to the site as an “Transferred square” through a “Transitional square”. Facing west is the unique challenge for the site, which has been taken care of softly, with poetic intuition, without loosing its visual connections. Here, the project is interplay of water and green romancing with the downing afternoon sun stretching its last light and twilight.
Responding to the Mother Climate -- Reverting Semeiotics
Bangladesh is a country of six seasons with its unique subtle and substantial variations. The use of persistent sun and harvesting the monsoon rain has been willfully taken into account to make the scheme responsive to the climate.
Structural system -- a Rhythm
Considering Dhaka under seismic zone 2, basically 22’x22’ structural grid has been selected. Here the intertwining of RCC column with load bearing shear walls supporting the floor slabs forming the total architectural expression of the building as transformation of rhythm.
Use of Material – Poetics of music
Concrete is one most important commonly used building material in Bangladesh. Its level of permeability and sustainability with structural ability in combination is remarkable. Exposed concrete is here used as Kahn used in the parliament building, poetically.
Delta
Total Area of Delta = 65’×187’=12,155sft
Possible rain water collected from area called Delta= 12,155sft ×6 ft = 72,930cft ×6.25= 455,812.5 gallon
Rain Water Collection from Roof
Roof area =85’×171’=14,535sft,
Possible rain water collected from Roof per year
14,535sft× 6 ft = 87,210cft
87,210sft×6.25 = 545,062.5 gallon
So, total Rain Collection yearly = (455,812.5+545,062.5) = 1000875 gallon
Required Water for Delta (9” thick)
Total Area of Delta =65’×187’=12,155 sft.
Water required = 12,155×9” deep =9116.25 cft× 6.25 =56976 gallon
Evaporation from Delta
Evaporation for 200 days =100,000 gallon (approximately)
Water Remaining = 1000875-100,000 = 900,875 gallons
Water Required for Hospital Purpose
Daily Water consumption by hospital occupants = 8000 gallon per day (assumption).
Yearly consumption = 8000×365 = 2,920,000 gallon
Rest of the required water will be acquired from city authority.