Recent Urban development in Bangladesh

[Bilal9]

Striking and Refined- Northern Lights by Shanta Holdings – Architect Column​

Tasmiah Chowdhury June 11, 2020

Situated at a calm and serene block of North Gulshan, the residential building Northern Lights celebrates the vogue of artsy living; where art incites euphoria and inspiration. The project is a development by Shanta Holdings Ltd. and is designed by architect Nahas Ahmed Khalil and his studio team ARC Architectural Consultants.

The project is a tasteful projection of both earthy aesthetics and modernity. Built on a plot of approximately 30 kathas, the apartment strives amid lush greenery. When designing this luxurious residential building, architect Khalil and Shanta also sought to create a sustainable development that would contribute towards a more compact city. With this in mind, the design team reflects and sets strategies of compactness and diversification, all the while highlighting local techniques. By considering the context, the design provides a multi-program that responds sensitively using artisan materials, sustainable urban scales and dynamic ways of living. As seen in most of Khalil’s works, this project is also primarily constructed in concrete, and also showcases shades of brick and wood throughout its interiors and exteriors. The architect decides to render most of his work with brick and fair face concrete, primarily because the materials are sustainable, environment-friendly and low maintenance. Moreover,they alsoinherit local and traditional significance.

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The thirteen-storied building delivers twenty-two apartment units. Designed from the inside out, each apartment is functionally planned to make the most of the views while maximizing user comfort. Straight and pure lines, simple forms, wide opening views and huge volumes with lots of natural light, minimize the distance between the indoor and outdoor. While the muted painted walls and light floors finish off the interior, reflect the daylight all over the spaces and extinguish the compactness while making a tranquil, spacious dwelling. Without clear boundaries, the integration of the public and private areas reveals a sequence of spaces combining expansiveness and symbiosis. The interior is clear of any unnecessary obstructions, creating another dimension while helping to achieve a calm repose with minimalistic furniture and becoming fluid, complemented with high quality finishing materials and colorful paintings that enrich its liveliness. The building tells a narrative about its owners and their lifestyles. The spaces for the family and close friends are warm and interactive and the connection with nature is constant.

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The residential complex also includes a selection of soothing common spaces and modern lifestyle amenities for the residents, a feature of all Shanta projects. A sophisticated reception lobby, lush landscaping and attractive water features, an elegantly furnished community lounge, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a covered outdoor recreational areaand a rooftop garden have been designed for residents to socialize effortlessly, explore their creativity and nurture wellbeing.The grandeur of the double-height ground floor area as well is sure to leave anyone spellbound upon entry. The roof is designed as a terrace for multipurpose activities, it’s an ideal platform to spend the evening under the mutable sky providing an obstruction-free view to the eyes and mind.

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Architect Khalil’s projection is simple, but simultaneously, one that makes a statement. His sensitive and restrained use of building materials tells richly complex architectural stories that elude simple classifications. “In search of an honest and careful architecture, we paid special attention to details, to the chosen materiality and the actors in the project processes. Our priority was to develop every constructive detail achieving optimal solutions that exceed the possibilities of the strictly conventional. The finished construction, as a result, is the witness and reflection of a careful process”, the firm adds.

 

[Bilal9]

The Zen Zone​

Written by Naila Binte Zakaria​

Naila Binte Zakaria July 2, 2019

Architect couple Rafiq Azam and Zannat Jui’s residence in Dhaka focuses on space utilization and functionality, dealing with the relations between human and air, wind, water and sunlight, rather than decoration and furnishing of the space.

Through making full use of natural light as well as adopting an austere material palette, the stunning adobe was transformed into a minimalist and refreshing sanctuary.

The space was designed from scratch by Architect Zannat Jui, who wanted to represent her personal aesthetic and philosophy through her home design. As a professional, she likes to constantly challenge herself and thrive in every field she practices. That is perhaps the reason why she chose the career path of architecture. Aside from architecture, she takes interest in filmmaking and photography, having directed a number of documentaries and winning awards in architectural photography competitions.

To Zannat Jui, home is where one feels at peace. She believes an abode to be the reflection of the personality of people residing in it. The couple resides in this house with their daughter, Juwayria. After the stress of everyday life, home is where they wind down and spend time catching up.

Hence, the aim was to create a tailor-made residence with maximum comfort and peace to slow down the pace of life. Maximum comfort and peace were to be achieved through the design. “Some houses are so high maintenance that the owners often have to leave their jobs and become homemakers. I chose a minimalist approach for my home because I didn’t want to stress about the maintenance. After a busy day at work, my home exudes a sense of relief in my mind”, explains Zannat Jui.

The simplistic residence operates similarly to a neutral canvas, where spaces flow from end to end with continuity of materials that favour fluid transitions. The overall space is composed of a living room, a dining space, a study, a guest room and two bedrooms, catering to the needs of the owners. The living room, study and the dining space are connected in an open area, which facilitates the interaction of the family.

A comfortable feel was injected to the home by adding minimalist furniture, soothing and soft colour schemes and elements of feng shui, creating a unified impression. A limited material palette of white and black tiles, white paint and wood helped to achieve a minimalist and austere aesthetic in the overall space.

The house takes advantage of home automation technology, further helping to keep the space clutter-free. Some corners of the house are adorned with carefully chosen knick-knacks from travels. A feature wall comprises of a collection of early doodles sketched by Rafiq Azam.

Zannat Jui wanted the space to evoke the feeling one gets in a rural setting by incorporating natural elements like plants, water, earth etc. As one enters the house, the living room catches the immediate attention of the visitors. The elevated zone of the living room has an indoor water feature that creates a soothing aura, defining the Zen style.

“The sound of water is quite meditative for me. At night, when silence fills the area, the relaxing sound of the water flowing adds a tranquil effect”, says Zannat Jui. The larger than life contemporary artwork of Manik Bonik and reflective illumination on the floor creates a gorgeous backdrop in this zone. Since the living room is south-facing, bamboos were planted here so that they receive optimum sunlight.

Apart from adding aesthetic value, the plants double as a privacy screening for our living room. Most cabinets and furniture are merged with the walls which create a free flow in the space, keeping all the personal materials out of sight.

Evidently, the couple’s architectural ideology is depicted through their residence, focusing on simplicity and the flow of movement of energy within the space. The aesthetic is designed to eliminate clutter from life; instead of thinking in terms of decoration, getting rid of the non-essential. Zannat Jui stresses on the adage by Jalaluddin Rumi, “Act like a tree, drop the dead leaves”.

Similarly, her home design is all about restraint, simple surroundings and forgetting gaudy, ornate and over-embellished trimmings. It is an aesthetic that helps to achieve the ultimate sophistication and peace of mind.

 

[Bilal9]

Police Headquarters Tower, Fulbaria

 

[Bilal9]

Comptoirs Richard Bangladesh is a well-known Parisian Gourmet addition to the café and coffee scene in Bangladesh which is already vibrant for the last two decades.

Comptoirs Richard is part of the Cafés Richard Parisienne Boutique coffee shop chain offering premium coffee, tea and other gourmet accompaniments, exclusively from France's No 1 Coffee Roaster. Curated Coffees and Teas, Coffee made from organic, single origins and premium blends of beans, premium and herbal tea assortments; and drench patisserie offered to cater to the bon vivants of our capital and their distinctive palates.

 

[Bilal9]

This is a story about how architects and urban planners can bring real change in quality of life to the most densely populated neighborhood in old Dhaka. It brought tears to my eyes...bravo Ar. Rafiq Azam Bhai!

 

[Bilal9]

Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (national parliament house) in Bangladesh was designed by Louis Kahn.

Louis Kahn on his design of the National Assembly Building Complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh commented,

" In the assembly I have introduced a light-giving element to the interior of the plan. If you see a series of columns you can say that the choice of columns is a choice in light. The columns as solids frame the spaces of light. Now think of it just in reverse and think that the columns are hollow and much bigger and that their walls can themselves give light, then the voids are rooms, and the column is the maker of light and can take on complex shapes and be the supporter of spaces and give light to spaces.

I am working to develop the element to such an extent that it becomes a poetic entity which has its own beauty outside of its place in the composition. In this way it becomes analogous to the solid column I mentioned above as a giver of light. " " It was not belief, not design, not pattern, but the essence from which an institution could emerge... "

This is a CG animated short film by Asif Salman.

The architect of this building Louis I Kahn never got the chance to see his masterpiece in real life. Kahn died in 1974 when the project was approximately three-quarters completed and it continued under David Wisdom, who worked for Kahn.

It took 21 years, almost the same as the Taj Mahal, to build this national parliament house of Bangladesh - a modern architectural marvel. The complex is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world, comprising 200 acres (800,000 m²)

Construction was started in 1961 when Bangladesh was still known as East Pakistan.

The government headed by Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan, HPk, NPk, HJ, MBE (Urdu: محمد ایوب خان; 14 May 1907 – 19 April 1974), who was the second president of Pakistan. sought assistance from East Pakistani architect Muzharul Islam who recommended bringing in the world's top architects for the project.

He initially attempted to bring Alvar Aalto and Le Corbusier, who were both were unavailable at the time. Islam then enlisted his former teacher at Yale, Louis Kahn. Construction was halted during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and was completed on 28 January 1982.

 

[Bilal9]

An innovatively designed house in Dhaka with abundant play of light and providing quality of life for the occupants.

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Bilal9]

 

[PadmaBridge]

Dhaka Metrorail Line 6 latest update

Estation hehe

Even village people can pronounce STATION!!!

 

[Bilal9]

A Sugary Tale of Two Friends​

6 minutes read
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Sugar Shots, a cloud bakery store run by two friends, came to the scene prior to the pandemic and witnessed the growth of homegrown bakeries. Naba Habib Belim, and Arnaz Rahman narrated their story of decorative and colorful cupcakes to COLORS Lamyaa Yushra.

Friendship turned out to be best for business for Naba and Arnaz

As much as we curse the pandemic for the uninvited guest it brought into our lives in the form of boredom, we all must accept it has helped us to discover some of our hidden talents and hone our skills when the future seemed all foggy. Whether it be picking up an instrument that was getting ancient in our closet, getting artsy with the paint strokes, or igniting our Emma Fontanella skills everyone turned to quirky distractions and it rekindled us to our hobbies in a way never done before. The internet was our savior while we turned to pros in the vicinity of our homes with the trial and errors of a recipe.

At the same time, some of us got so good that we felt confident enough to earn some cash from our newly found hobbies. So, it led to a boom of homegrown businesses, baking being a particular favorite. Those who were already in the online businesses before the pandemic just won themselves the time to polish their skills and the results became apparent as their business flourished during the pandemic.

Naba Habib Belim and Arnaz Rahman, two friends who happen to be partners in baking, met at a tuition center during their A-Levels with little to no idea that one day their friendship will take them on an interferential journey.

“When I met Naba it was love at first sight for me. I might sound like her boyfriend but honestly, the way she carried herself and her strong personality was something that fascinated me. I decided I had to be friends with her. We instantly clicked on our love for food, especially desserts because we love making sugary delights,” Arnaz Rahman said playfully.

“Well, we love feeding our family and friends. We tried recipes from online and soon we realized we wanted to do something about the fact that we love feeding people and spreading the love that comes with a bite of something sweet. So, we thought that okay, we have a few skills and YouTube is always there to help us if we get stuck with something. Why not? It’s going to be a good shot,” added Naba Habib.



In 2017, they took a leap of faith and started unofficially among their friends and family. Sometime between the same year Naba Habib acted on impulse and opened a Facebook page with the title “Sugar Shots”. “After creating the page, I called up Arnaz informing her about the page, and from there onwards Sugar Shots became official. It was a very abrupt decision, and we didn’t plan on anything,” Naba Habib explained.

At the time Sugar Shots started, there weren’t many competitions in the industry but that did not limit the challenges they faced both professionally and personally, and as the saying goes small obstacles are part of the journey to make it even more alluring. “I belong to a conservative family and my parents were not very supportive in the initial days of our business because they were concerned about how I’d manage my studies and the business together. Naba and I are the only ones working, so from getting the raw materials from the vendor to collecting the orders and then preparing the order itself it’s all of us. It’s very difficult and you must be very patient to deal with all that work. So, their concern was very understandable,” Arnaz described.

The lack of family support from Arnaz’s end brought a whole new hurdle for Naba as she took charge of buying the raw materials and keeping tabs on the orders flooding in. “Arnaz did not own a mobile phone and it became all the more difficult as I couldn’t reach her at any point of the day except her landline, nevertheless we managed until we became undergrad students and by then Arnaz bought a phone as well.”

Time is a great healer and Arnaz’s parents are proud and happy of what their daughter has achieved through her business. “I am very grateful for that and it’s a nice feeling to make them proud.”

The personal struggle may have been reconciled with time, but the professional challenge awaited them and the major hurdle was delivering the baked delicacies to customers properly which was greatly felt by the duo. “We did not have so many delivery services the time we started unlike now which we see here and there. Dessert delivery is particularly a very tricky thing. It’s very sensitive to temperature, so we did not have any delivery service and hence we did not serve a lot of people around Dhaka city, our orders were restricted to Dhanmondi. We were only doing pickups from our Dhanmondi point. Then thankfully last year we found a very good delivery service and we are using them now.”



Agreeing with her business partner, Arnaz recollected how some pages had a bad history with delivery services and Sugar Shots luckily had few mishaps to add to their journey. “As far as I recall I think we had one incident, but we recovered from it and took it as a lesson for our future.”

Sugar Shots specializes in cupcakes and cakes conjuring up unique and decorative cakes with Dulce de Leche a hit among their customers. When you look at their menu it’s hard to resist the thought of devouring ourselves into a sweetened land. One thing that catches our attention is the vibrant frosting and the beautiful combination of hues they bring into their cupcakes which takes us back to our childhood with a tingling of positivity fluttering in our stomachs. “If you look at our Facebook page you will realize we do not repeat the same frostings for our cupcakes. It’s a matter of mix and match. When Naba comes up with a combination we apply that in our cupcakes and vice versa. Baking is like an art, and you have to think like an artist to make it look appealing, something we preach in our menu,” Arnaz detailed it out.

Since the duo began their little dreamy operation, the market for homegrown cooks and bakers has grown at large with the availability of ingredients at the click of their fingertips. The competition has become dearer with young girls taking to the pedestal to make something out of their hobby during the pandemic. When asked about the competition they are facing the partners in baking responded saying, “The pandemic has been a blessing in disguise for us in the sense that we got ample amount of time to concentrate on our business with our classes shifting to online. The competition has grown fiercely but the pandemic gave us the time to polish our skills and utilize them in our desserts.

Small businesses have suffered but by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have a loyal base of customers, and last year our business saw the brightest light of day. We received orders of 600-800 cupcakes for events, which was a huge deal for us. We also work with 10 Minutes School and have delivered them some of our assorted array of cupcakes for their events. Delivering those huge orders of cupcakes sort of gave us the feeling we have come a long way since we embarked on our journey three years ago and we were on the right track.”



Young bakers and cooks are setting a benchmark through their small-scale businesses and with the recent journey of Kishwar Chowdhury at MasterChef Australia a sense of accomplishment has created a buzz among home cooks who are passionate about cooking to nurture this hobby into a profession. While cooking platforms in our country remain limited, it deprives our aspiring cooks of showcasing their talents on a larger platform.

“The absence of a platform is greatly felt here. It’s not like we do not have cooking shows but inviting a celebrity chef from abroad exposes us and the hidden gems that are decaying at home get an opportunity to showcase their talent. If baking competitions are held annually then it might encourage people to come out and it might reveal how much we are missing in this arena,” Naba Habib further emphasized.

The risk taken by the duo Naba Habib and Arnaz Rahman is an example of a dream we all aspire to take with a friend who also happens to be our business partner and honesty is the ingredient the girls have been adding to their business mantra. “Honesty is something businesses should prioritize over everything. When you are doing business with someone it’s so important not to lose sight of our goal and I believe Allah watches over everything we do and this practice seems to have become a luxury in this time and age whilst for us, it comes naturally,” concluded Naba Habib and Arnaz Rahman.

 

[Rushd Alam]

Estation hehe

Even village people can pronounce STATION!!!

Bro lets not mock people's pronunciations, it lowers confidence in them. Here chinese are confidently saying english in their own way, which makes no sence but slowly the become better. Lets not demoralise the less fortunate.

 

[Bilal9]

Bro lets not mock people's pronunciations, it lowers confidence in them. Here chinese are confidently saying english in their own way, which makes no sence but slowly the become better. Lets not demoralise the less fortunate.

Granted we should not insult.

But uneducated people should learn how to pronounce standard Bangla or English before proudly putting up their garbage VLOG creations. It cannot be "ja-khushi-tai" situation where we propagate bad pronunciation practices. Lately this has been an epidemic of sorts.

Half-educated morons being proud of their half-educated status and expecting jobs and wealth with it.

For example, some small town guys put up VLOGs which really are unacceptably pronounced. Talking about VLOGs by supposedly educated guys from Patuakhali and Barisal.

I am not even talking about Hero Alam types whose Bangla pronunciation is atrocious (where we don't have better expectation in any case). Chhotolok being proud of their uneducated chhotolok habits when they should try better.

These vloggers utter words like "Ekosthaney" and "Ekoi" (in addition to what @PadmaBridge bhai pointed out) which should be pronounced "Eksthaney" and "Ek-ee".

They should correct their Bangla before putting these VLOGs up as a laughing stock for the rest of the world.

One can come from a humble background, however they should always strive to improve their pronunciation and speaking style.

And I will never understand why some people utter non-standard words like "Shei shundori" (very pretty).... I mean what-the-freak ?!?

Where did these non-standard words come from?

 

[tower9]

How much are condos in desirable parts of Dhaka selling for nowadays?

 

[Bilal9]

How much are condos in desirable parts of Dhaka selling for nowadays?

Expensive. US$ 1.3 to 1.4 Million (Taka 12 crores plus) for a 3500 sqft. Condo in the desirable areas.

Almost the same as better parts of LA.