Lighthouse

Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Lighthouse

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Firm

VOLUMEZERO Limited

Type

Commercial › Office Retail Showroom

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2020

SIZE

25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

BUDGET

Undisclosed

Much like the name suggests, Lighthouse was intended to become a beacon that brings some form of order to the chaos of the street beneath it. In many ways, the restrained complexity of the building is a response to the clutter and clamor of Dhaka.

Lighthouse is one of the many buildings in the Spacezero roster. The real estate developer wished for efficient workspaces which would also be in line with Dhaka’s growing demand for sustainable buildings. Seeing as the building is in fact LEED Gold Certified, sustainability principles led the design during conception and construction.

Located at a prime corner plot of Banani Kamal Ataturk avenue, Lighthouse serves the city as much as it serves the occupants. The location affords it the opportunity to be appreciated from a distance, and act as a vantage point. The L shaped floor plans juxtaposed by pockets of landscaped terraces creates a working environment that in effect leads to a more interactive, efficient and healthy work culture. Large panes of glass held up by metal brackets add to the drama of the deconstructed south west corner, while making the otherwise open terraces feel more cozy and protected from the noise and chaos of the city. Layering of the planes also allow light to flood into the workplace thus serving the people it holds within.

Dhaka’s tropical climate demands a large amount of shading devices to protect the occupants from the harsh sun. Therefore, the large glass panes along with expanses of concrete strategically become shading elements in varying layers. Slabs also extend to become balconies which are juxtaposed atop each other on alternating floors, providing extensive shading. Together, all these elements that shift, slide, and fold, creates the interesting, layered forecourt of Lighthouse.

The Architect’s philosophy of staying true to materials is reflected in the use of large expanses of concrete, glass, natural stone and metal. The casting of the concrete was done as such that the natural texture and color of the material could shine through, thus turning it into a natural material of sorts itself. As for the form, the collage like organization of planes that shifts, folds and slides with paper-like crispness, and the strikingly articulated deep sun blades fixed at various angles makes the building a sight to behold. The form can be compared to a box being broken and sliced to accentuate the height, giving Lighthouse an iconic status in the city fabric.