Expansion of TSC | BRAC University Dept. of Architecture

Department of Architecture School of Architecture and Design BRAC University Expansion of Teacher-Student Center





Produced by Students of Design IX Compiled by ABDULLAH AL GALIB REHNUMA RAIDA AFSARA KARIM URMI SAHA Studio Instructors SHANJID ALAM FAZLE RUBBY FAHIM SADEQUL AREFIN SAIF PROF. FUAD HASSAN MALLICK, PhD UTTOM DEB NATH AKIBUR RAHMAN AR. EHSAN KHAN SAMIRA AHSAN EREM EHSAN RISHAD FARIHA SABRINA MUMU MOHAMMAD FARUK PhD MOHAMED MARUF HOSSAIN RIDA HAQUE AR. NAIM AHMED KIBRIA SHANILA SAIFULLAH MOHAMMAD HABIB REZA, PhD PANTHA SHAHRIAR MEBSAMOON MD. EHSAN ALAM, Teaching Assistant WAEZA RAFIQUE SALWA MASHIHA MANJUR HASSAN MOHAMMAD NAYEM SOHANA KHAN SAJID HOSSAIN MEHRAN HAIDER ANIKA HELAL ORNA ADHORA IFRIT WAHIDA FARZANA RAHMAN FABLIHA AFSARA NOOR SHANILA ISLAM TANJILA RAHMAN RAFIAH BINTE NOMAN MOHAMMAD TAWHEED MOAZZEM NAIYARA TAHSIN NAFIA BINTE KIBRIA YUKIKO KUNIMOTO ISHRAK SHALIH TALUKDER OINDRIZA REZA NODI ASHFAK ULLAH CHOWDHURY RAFA MASHIYAT ZAHID TASNUVA BEHTARIN ANIKA ZAHIN SIDDIQA JUBAYER HASAN SIDDDIQUI SAMPURNA DAS SYED TAWSIF MUNAWAR SADIA FARZANA SWAKSHAR ROY MD. FERDOUS BIN MASUD REHANA KAWSHER TRISHA ESTYAK AHMED MAZUMDER RUBAIAT KAMAL MEEM SANAD MIRZA

Contents 06 Introduction 06 Design Brief 07 Expansion 10 The Architect 12 Constantinos A Doxiadis 16 Comparison and Analysis 20 The Architecture 24 Original Drawings 30 Setting and Contextual Analysis 40 Overall Connectivity 48 Environmental Considerations 58 Structural System and Expression 72 Landscape 82 Surrounding Activities 90 Design Proposals 92 Program Expansion 94 Site Selection 98 Selected Student Projects

Teacher Student Center Design Brief The Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University was established in the Through the many decades since its establishment, TSC sits at the epicentre of 1960’s. It was designed by Greek architect, planner and theoretician Constantinos A. its own context. The complex has connotations that are social, urban, economic Doxiadis (1913-1975). The complex, located within the University area, comprises of and even, political. Its impact extends beyond the physical dimensions of its site, a Students Union Building, an Auditorium Complex, Cafeteria, Indoor Games, Guest inspiring acitivities in its vicinities. These impacts manifest themselves in forms House and Swimming Pool facilities within a 3.7 acre site. These functions have such as wall murals, gathering spaces in informal stalls and pavements to name a facilitated a wide range of student activities over the last six decades. Furthermore, few. TSC has thus become both a social and a cultural landmark, not only for Dhaka the complex also comprises of a Greek Memorial and twin Shiva temples within its University but Dhaka itself. boundaries. In the design of the complex, Doxiadis has employed a layout in harmony with the warm humid climate of the region; organizing the built masses around an open, loosely defined courtyard. Furthermore, elements such as extensive use of extended shading devices, various ‘jali’ patterns, an umbrella doubleroof and shaded corridors express the extreme sensitivity with which the Architect has addressed the environmental aspects of the site. copyright BRAC University 6

Expansion Source: Md. Ehsan Alam Public Reaction These developments bring to the fore, the question of how one may go about addressing sensitively, the need for expansion in buildings of both historic and In 2021, Dhaka University celebrates its Birth Centenary. The ever growing number cultural significance. Can the Teacher-Student Centre at Dhaka University be of students currently studying in the University far surpasses the original capacity expanded in order to facilitate its needs at present time while preserving its heritage? of the Teacher Student Center, designed six decades ago. Growing number of students as well as the many new functions required for the University’s activities have called for an expansion of the Teacher Student Center. Such requirements have culminated in a decision to ‘modernise’ the Teacher-Student Centre. The decision envisions the demolition of the existing complex by Doxiadis and with it, the many years of history it has witnessed. The site is to then to be redeveloped in accordance with a new, expanded program. 7 copyright BRAC University

DISCLAIMER Academic Exercise The following are studies and design proposals put forth by final year students of Architecture. The design proposals, while informed by thorough studies, are to be viewed as academic exercises and are not intended for construction. copyright BRAC University 8

PART I Background Study TEACHER STUDENT CENTER DHAKA UNIVERSITY 9 Source: Ishrak Shalih Talukder copyright BRAC University

PART I The Architect CONSTANTINOS APOSTOLOU DOXIADIS (1913 - 1975) copyright BRAC University 10

Source: Jeff Goode via Toronto Star Photo Archive. 11 copyright BRAC University

Constantinos Apostolou Awards Cali de Oro (Mexican Gold Medal) Award of the Society of Mexican Architects Doxiadis Greek War Cross Award of Excellence, Order of the British Empire Industrial Designers Society of America Source: https://arquitecturaviva.com/articulos/konstantinos-doxiadis-1913-1975 Order of the Cedar of Lebanon Order of the Yugoslav Flag Order of the Phoenix with Golden Wreath Born in the year 1913 in Bulgaria, Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis was a Greek Sir Patrick Abercrombie Prize architect, an urban planner and a theoretician. He became well known for both global of the Int’l Union of Architects and contextual approaches to his projects. In 1951, Doxiadis founded his firm, Doxiadis Aspen Award for the Humanities Associates. It quickly grew to an international practice due to his process of incorporating architecture to all other spheres of life. 1942 1951 1959 1960 1961 1965 Coined ‘Ekistics’: Founded his practice Design of Sadr City, Masterplan of Designed Yellow Line Expressway, A Theory on Doxiadis Associates Baghdad, Iraq Islamabad, Pakistan Teacher-Student Center Master Plan, The Science of Human Dhaka University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Settlements Bangladesh copyright BRAC University 12

Source: Toronto Public Library The Father of Ekistics The whole range of human settlements, is a very complex system of five elements: Nature, Man, Society, Shells (that is, buildings), and Networks. It is a system of natural, social, and man-made elements which can be seen in many ways- economic, social, political, technological and cultural. For this reason, only the widest possible view can help one understand it. Aforementioned is the synopsis of Ekistics; An Introduction to the Science of Human 13 Settlements, a term coined by Doxiadis in 1942. Ekistics was conceived as an objective, comprehensive, and integrative approach to all principles and theories of human settlements. copyright BRAC University

Global timeline copyright BRAC University 14

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY Introvert Building: Most of his works consist of the introvert buildings that assume a far greater importance on the frame of a human community. But in terms of the monumental building which does not require an expansion, this pre-conception can be avoided. Flexibility of Internal Forces: Doxiadis idea was that buildings can and should follow the same rules as those apply to houses i.e they should be expandable and changing. About Public Buildings: As mentioned before, Doxiadis thought the plan of our buildings should be such that it allows for growth/expansion of all kinds Layering: Doxiadis said - “One thing I have added and that Is what I call the double skin; the canopy which can be moved up or down, thus guaranteeing to the real skin or external surface of the house all the coolness it requires during the hot season.” Against Specific Style of Ism: Doxiadis was against copying any form or fashion, or on copying the trends of rither modernism or any other style. He suggested creating something which was contem- porary and willfully adjusted to all our needs, and so remains as eternal as the ancient or perhaps as eter- nal as the future architecture. Effect of Form According to Building Height: Doxiadis buildings are generally rectilinear In pattern, relatively lower In height and for which he feels for a functional derivation of form. Form and Massing, Synthesis of Oblong Elements: Most of the forms derived by Doxiadis are oblong. He used to avoid cylindrical or spherical forms. This concept is derived from the thought that man lives and moves in spaces in certain straight lines and not In a circle and almost all elements within a house, such as beds, cupboards, arm chair, sofas, etc, are oblong. 15 copyright BRAC University

Global Comparison Source: Doxiadis Associates. 1959 Source: Doxiadis Associates. 1959 Peshawar and Comilla Campus Peshawar Campus addresses the hot-dry climate of the Pakistani city of Peshawar. The relatively solid building blocks are placed in closed proximity to each other with few, narrow openings. The Peshawar Campus of the Village Development Academy is situated in an urban setting. In contrast, the Village Development Academy in Comilla, Bangladesh (currently BARD, Bangladesh Academy of Rural Development), is less compast to ensure uninterrupted ventilation throughout. It is characterized by lightness, low density, large windows to ensure ample cross-ventilation and projected sunshades. Prominent use of dochala is seen atop the auditorium. The surrounding road is on a low embankment to protect from seasonal floods, which is again characteristic of the region. copyright BRAC University 16

Local Comparison Source: Md Ehsan Alam BARD, Comilla and TSC, Dhaka Source: Aminul Hassan Similar space syntax addressing the tropical climate with a loose plan- copyright BRAC University ning that ensures iuninterrupted ventilation. The reference from the contextuali- ty from our region is evident through the usage of dochala in Comilla BRAD and the ode to its in a contemporary fashion through the uage of a parabolic vault atop the auditorium of TSC. The predomiannt North-South orientation of the buildings, the use of lush landscape based on local trees and plants, and the treatment of the facad- characterize by thin columns and shadow-casting devices together with wide windows having inegeniously designed ixtures to make it possible to open up the en- tire south facade- are all driven by climatic sensitivity. The principles of Ekistics are also evident in TSC. 17

Urban and Rural Contexts Of (then) East Pakistan Source: Unknown Source: Emdadul Hoque Topu The recurring use of dochala in DA’s work in East Pakistan had two major sources Doxiadis was rigidly an universalist. He rejected all sorts of symbolism or any of inspiration: the archetypal tropical hut at the then University College Ibadan in sentimental elements in his design. To him, buildings should be machine-like. Nigeria and the second was the appropriated form of the Bengal dochala in Mughal So for him to incorporate the ‘dochala’ form seems like an abberation. It was his Architecture attempt to be experimental, in order to bring some regional characteristics into his design. Doxiadis believed that a monumental architectural form would be inappropriate in “Having the dochala form in the mosque was a small way of reminding the people Bengal as, historically, Mughal monuments represent an imperial will that suppresses visiting of their rural roots.” the will of the folk. Doxiadis thought the only form worthy of monumentalisation in bengal was the dochala which in Doxiadis’ language, ‘creating monumental expression of the people themselves.’. copyright BRAC University 18

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copyright BRAC University PART II The Architecture TEACHER STUDENT CENTER, DHAKA UNIVERSITY (1960-1962) 20

Source: Nakib Shah Alam 21 copyright BRAC University

Contextual Study 30 42 Of Teacher Student Center SETTING AND OVERALL CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS CONNECTIVITY The comprehensive study of the Teacher Student Center is undertaken under the broad topics illustrated here. The study aims to formulate an in depth understanding of not the Architecture of Contantinos Doxiadis in terms of Structural System, Climate Sensitivity and the overall Architectural Expression. Furthermore, it seeks to explore the context within which TSC is situated, its overall connectivity to Dhaka University and the city as well as the activities that occur in and around the complex. copyright BRAC University 22

52 64 84 90 ENVIRONMENTAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM LANDSCAPE SURROUNDING CONSIDERATIONS AND EXPRESSION ACTIVITIES 23 copyright BRAC University

ORIGINAL DRAWINGS by Doxiadis & Associates GUEST BLOCK 24 Plan, Elevations and Sections Collected From: Ar. Nazmul Haq Bulbul copyright BRAC University

GUEST BLOCK CAFETERIA Plan, Elevations and Sections Ground Floor Plan Collected From: Collected From: Ar. Nazmul Haq Bulbul Ar. Nazmul Haq Bulbul 25 copyright BRAC University

STUDENT UNION BUILDING 26 Floor Plans Collected From: Ar. Nazmul Haq Bulbul copyright BRAC University

STUDENT UNION BUILDING Elevation and Sections Collected From: Ar. Nazmul Haq Bulbul 27 copyright BRAC University

AUDITORIUM AUDITORIUM Ground Floor Plan Sections Collected From: Collected From: Ar. Nazmul Haq Bulbul Ar. Nazmul Haq Bulbul copyright BRAC University 28

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copyright BRAC University Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/dhaka-university.html 30

SETTING & CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS 32 Dhaka University Master Plan 33 Context of TSC in Dhaka University 34 History through Buildings of Dhaka University 35 Urban Fabric of Dhaka University 36 Timeline of Historic Events 38 Impact of TSC on its Surroundings 31 copyright BRAC University

DHAKA UNIVERSITY MASTERPLAN copyright BRAC University 32

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HISTORY THROUGH BUILDINGS OF DHAKA UNIVERSITY copyright BRAC University 34

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TIMELINE OF HISTORIC EVENTS copyright BRAC University 36

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copyright BRAC University Image Credit: Daily Star, Daily New age 38

Image Credit: Daily Star, Daily New age 39 copyright BRAC University

copyright BRAC University Retrieved from: https://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/photodetail/1825814 40

OVERALL CONNECTIVITY 44 Connection with Dhaka City 46 Road Typology & Traffic Flow 47 Connectivity with Landmarks 48 Pull Factors of TSC 49 Impact of MRT 41 copyright BRAC University

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What will be the consequences of this Development? 47 copyright BRAC University

Source: Ishrak Shalih Talukder copyright BRAC University 48

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM & EXPRESSION 52 Form and Massing 54 Architectural Expression 56 Student Union Building 57 Cafeteria and Indoor Games 58 Auditorium 59 Wireframe View of Structure 49 copyright BRAC University

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