Architects: Shatotto
Year: 2011
Photographs: Daniele Domenicali
City: Dhaka
Country: Bangladesh
S.A Residence, designed by Shatotto, is a three-story cast concrete house in Dhaka, shaped as a pure square. The design integrates traditional elements like courtyards and ponds to merge urban and rural typologies. Surrounded by multi-story buildings, the house features an introverted design with a central water-court for privacy and natural cooling. Inspired by Lalon’s philosophy, the house uses its south and south-east orientations to optimize airflow and sunlight throughout the year.
The S.A Residence is a three-story house constructed as a pure square, using a single material: cast concrete. The universal celestial form of the sphere is expressed terrestrially in the shape of a square.
Considering the socio-economic conditions of Dhaka, the architectural design is kept simple, incorporating traditional elements like courtyards, ponds, ghats (steps to water), and ample greenery to blend urban and rural typologies within an urban context.
Surrounded by multi-story buildings, an introverted design strategy was adopted, positioning a water-court as a swimming pond in the center of the house to ensure privacy.
The inter-relationship between form and void is inspired by Lalon’s philosophy, with the open quad at the center representing nothingness.
The south and south-east orientations are designed to capture cool breezes during the hot, humid summers and to welcome the warmth of the sun during the winters. The central water court functions as a natural ventilation system, allowing hot air to escape and creating a cool, refreshing sanctuary in the heart of the house.
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Project Location
Address: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
