Architecture Student awarded DOT Student Design Competition 2023

The Architecture Department at BRAC University extends its congratulations to Md. Shafi Hasnain on his outstanding accomplishment as the Twenty Second Cycle of the DOT Student Design Award 2023 winner in category C (2nd & 3rd year) projects, for his project “Designing a Community Center”.

DOT is a journal on art and architecture launched by Delvistaa Foundation. The journal's main goal is to showcase Bangladeshi architecture and related documentation. Along with interior design, landscape architecture, and other topics, the journal will also highlight historical, environmental, and sustainable architectural issues. DOT also invites architecture students to submit their academic projects for DOT STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION.

Brief of the Winning entry

The aim of this project is to develop architectural design creativity by exploring forms, spaces, structures, and landscapes that are sensitive to social and environmental factors. The site's location is at Gulshan 1, Dhaka, in front of the Police Plaza. The challenge was to consider the site's irregular shape and the vistas in every direction, with Shahid Dr. Fazle Rabbi Park on one side and Hatirjheel Lake on the other. So the idea was to make an elevated plaza by creating a visual connection with the green environment of the Park and the large waterbody. The experiences of pedestrians were the primary emphasis of the design. Many pedestrian access has been given, making it more likely to visit and enjoy the scenic views of the site.

The concept of enhancing visual connection through the creation of elevated platforms represents a thoughtful approach to design and urban planning. Elevating platforms, whether they be in the form of observation decks, elevated walkways, or raised public spaces, serve as innovative solutions to foster a stronger visual connection between people and their surroundings. One of the primary advantages of elevated platforms is the expanded perspective they offer. By lifting individuals above ground level, these platforms provide unobstructed views of the surrounding environment.