Teacher Student Center | Dhaka University
Contents 01 Introduction 02 Teacher Student Center 03 Context 04 Expansion 11 The Architect 02 Biography 03 Ekistics 04 Works in Bangladesh 05 Global Works 25 The Architecture 02 Setting and Contextual Analysis 03 Overall Connectivity 04 Structural System and Expression 05 Environmental Considerations 06 Landscape 07 Surrounding Activities
Teacher Student Center A Brief History 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. 4 work in progress
Context Dhaka University and East Pakistan Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nos- incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nos- trud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis trud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nos- incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nos- trud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis trud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nos- incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nos- trud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis trud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis copyright BRAC University 5
Expansion As Dhaka University celebrates its Birth Centenary in 2021, its growing list of students and the various spatial needs for their activities 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. 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 cultural significance. Can the Teacher-Student Centre at Dhaka University be expanded in order to facilitate its needs at present time while preserving its heritage? 6 work in progress
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PART I The Architect CONSTANTINOS APOSTOLOU DOXIADIS (1913 - 1975) 8 work in progress
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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 Born in the year 1913 in Bulgaria, Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis was a Greek Order of the Cedar of Lebanon Order of the Yugoslav Flag architect, an urban planner and a theoretician. He became well known for both global Order of the Phoenix with Golden Wreath and contextual approaches to his projects. In 1951, Doxiadis founded his firm, Doxiadis Sir Patrick Abercrombie Prize Associates. It quickly grew to an international practice due to his process of incorporating of the Int’l Union of Architects architecture to all other spheres of life. Aspen Award for the Humanities 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 10 work in progress
The Father of Ekistics The whole range of human settlements, is a very complex system of five elements: Na- ture, 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 11 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 set- tlements. copyright BRAC University
Global timeline 12 work in progress
copyright BRAC University 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. 13
Global Comparison work in progress 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. 14
Local Comparison BARD, Comilla and TSC, Dhaka Similar space syntax addressing the tropical climate with a loose plan- 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. copyright BRAC University 15
Urban and Rural Contexts Of (then) East Pakistan 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.’. 16 work in progress
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PART II The Architecture TEACHER STUDENT CENTER, DHAKA UNIVERSITY (1960-1962) 20 work in progress
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30 42 52 SETTING AND OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS CONNECTIVITY CONSIDERATIONS 22 work in progress
64 84 90 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM LANDSCAPE SURROUNDING AND EXPRESSION ACTIVITIES 23 copyright BRAC University
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Image Credit: Daily Star, Daily New age work in progress 42
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What will be The consequence? 50 work in progress
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