New Extension Facilities for Islamia Eye Hospital designed by '
Shatotto' - a local architectural atelier and design house. This hospital is funded by the Ispahani Islamia Charitable Trust (Founded by M.A. Ispahani of Tea-trading fame) and has remained non-profit since the 1960's. They offer free-of-cost cataract surgeries as well as other ocular specialty treatments for the indigent.
1. Water and Green -- Essence of Bangladesh:
Water, the most precious, abundant and life subtly woven in it, makes Bangladesh a country of toil and poems --- a landscape of green embodying watercolor on the map of the world. Bangladesh, the largest delta on earth, has 52 rivers that carry water from the Himalayas in an intricate pattern to the Bay of Bengal. During Monsoon these rivers inundate two third of the country's land depicting water the major element of the country scape. When the water recedes, it leaves a fine layer of fertile alluvial soil and the entire landscape transforms into large patches of paddy fields dancing with the wind.
2. An Urban Landscape -- a Public Realm:
Due to lack of a proper master plan, construction rules and awareness, Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities in the world has become a city of urban mayhem. Dhaka, having less than five percent (5%) green area, for a city of more than 400 square kilometer with a growing population of disparity and persistent difficulties with other unreliable utilities and lack of urban space, is fast losing its living ambiance. Excepting the parliament complex, ironically most public buildings in Bangladesh are mere buildings and not a public realm. The effort here is to make the whole approach to offer more space for the public inspired by the context.
3. Rejoicing Kahn, Romancing with the Sun - A Celestial Transformation:
Louis I. Kahn and his approach for the overall parliament complex and Sangsad Bhaban has been taken in the scheme as a “Basics`. The “Celestial square` of Sangsad Bhaban has been shifted to our site as an “Transferred square` through a “Transitional square`. Basically the repetition of 11’x11’ square grid is forming the whole project as a living transparent and porous urban wall, connecting the “existing Eye Hospital` with a green-courtyard (Jungle) and the Farmgate in distance on the east and the Manik Mia Avenue and the Sangsad Bhaban on the west. Facing west is the unique challenge for the site, which has been taken care of softly, with poetic intuition, without loosing its visual connections. Here, the project is an interplay of water and green romancing with the downing afternoon sun stretching its last light and twilight.
4. Responding to the Mother Climate:
Reverting Semiotics Bangladesh is a country of six seasons with its unique subtle and substantial variations. The persistent sun, monsoon rain and wind have been willfully taken into account to make the scheme responsive to our climate. The use of thin water layer acting as rain collector is not only functional but Deltaic and connotative. The use of linearity, transparency and porosity in the building is not only for cross ventilation and connection but also to make it a traditional pavilion transformed. The use of shades and layers of green and parasol is not only as essentials but also as sensual. Though unfortunately any health facility in Bangladesh reminds us the apathy of death, semiologically instead, here in the scheme the interplay of sun, green, water and the screen pronounces the craving for life and thus the celebration of living healthy.
5. Structural system - a Rhythm:
Considering Dhaka under seismic zone 2, basically 22’x22’ structural grid has been selected. Here the intertwining of RCC column with load bearing shear walls supporting the floor slabs forming the total architectural expression of the building as transformation of rhythm.
6. Use of Material:
Poetics of ability to Sustain Concrete is one most important commonly used building material in Bangladesh. Its level of permeability and sustainability with structural ability in combination is remarkable. Use of exposed concrete as Kahn used in the parliament building in the hot and humid Bangladesh is not only compatible but also vibrant giving it a poetic essence underneath.
7. Functional Arrangement:
Served and Service areas In order to create the undisturbed tranquil landscape on the western front of the project and to connect the new building with the old one, a new entry has been developed on the north. Here our scheme includes the suggestion of demolition of the existing northwest two storied block to develop a new four storied block containing entry with more accommodations and connections. Most of the served areas with beautiful views are placed on the west connecting the panoramas of great parliament complex.
8. Rain Water Harvesting In Bangladesh:
65 to 70 inches rain per year Delta Total Area of Delta = 65’×187’=12,155sft Possible rain water collected from area called Delta= 12,155sft ×6 ft = 72,930cft ×6.25= 455,812.5 gallon Rain Water Collection from Roof Roof area =85’×171’=14,535sft, Possible rain water collected from Roof per year 14,535sft× 6 ft = 87,210cft 87,210sft×6.25 = 545,062.5 gallon So, total Rain Collection yearly = (455,812.5+545,062.5) = 1000875 gallon Required Water for Delta (9` thick) Total Area of Delta =65’×187’=12,155 sft. Water required = 12,155×9` deep =9116.25 cft× 6.25 =56976 gallon Evaporation from Delta Evaporation for 200 days =100,000 gallon (approximately) Water Remaining = 1000875-100,000 = 900,875 gallons Water Required for Hospital Purpose Daily Water consumption by hospital occupants = 8000 gallon per day (assumption). Yearly consumption = 8000×365 = 2,920,000 gallon Rest of the required water will be acquired from city authority.
