Bangla Academy Complex (National competition, 1st prize winner, IAB)
In today's day and age, when there seems to be an inclination to use technology and complex design strategies to achieve a "green" solution in building design. One must not forget that one of the most sensible ways to create an "environment friendly" architecture is to use the "environment" itself. The site, the surrounding and the climate should become primary forces and a successful "green" architecture can be achieved through "passive" means.
The Bangla Academy project approaches sustainability in many levels and does not just claim to be "environment friendly". In the first measure of sustainability the project addresses is that of "site". The project is in the grounds of a historic building and later developments of "Bangla Academy complex". The grounds of this site are extremely significant because it houses the annual Bengali book fair held as a tribute to the martyrs who gave their life for upholding Bengali language on 21st February 1952. We not only designed to ensure the continuation of the fair but also to enhance the event by creating public ghaats on two sides of an existing pond that in turn also brought to life the pond which was totally neglected on the site.Ensuring the successful continuity of the fair has addressed the sustainability of "social and historical event" and the incorporation of the pond and the creation of the ghaats addresses sustainability of "site".
In terms of the building design itself the vast majority of the office building is naturally ventilated and light. Up to the point where most days the interior is fully light with natural light. Such is the penetration of natural light that in this project the funds were refunded from the electrical and the lighting budget towards other parts of the project because the electrical engineers found that it needs few little lighting than any building of its kind. This is a semi government building and this incident is the 1st of its kind in any government or semi government building. So not does it only address natural light and ventilation the building is landmark to show a passive design will be sustainable in terms of us of energy but also in sustainable in terms of use, expenditure of "public money". the only air conditioned space in the office part of the building is the library and the reading room to ensure the proper protection of valuable books.
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