Eco Assigment - Rafiq Azam

Rafiq Azam

S.A. Residence

South Water Garden

Mizan Residence

Meghna Residence

Alif Breeze

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Content

1. Biography of Mohamad Rafiq Azam 2

a. Philosophy 3

b. Quote 4

2. Projects

a. S.A. Residence 5

b. South Water Garden 8

c. Mizan Residence 11

d. Meghna Residence 13

e. Alif Breeze 15

3. Conclusion. 17

4. References 18

5. Index 19

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1. Biography of Mohamad Rafiq Azam

Figure 1: Mohamad Rafiq Azam (source: www.wikipedia.com)

As introduced, Mohamad Rafiq Azam is one of the famous architects internationally.

He is from Bangladesh, by practicing in field of architect almost 22 years. Mohamad Rafiq

Azam also manages to design and apply according to his style. On 1989, he graduated from

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). From May 1995 until now,

he is practicing at SHATOTTO which inspiring by “Architecture for Green Living”.

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a. Philosophy

Figure 2: Expert in using light and shadow (source: www.homedsgn.com)

Mohamad Rafiq Azam architectural style is a fusion of tradition, nature and mysticism

with significant harmony. In design, he likes to use of plants and roof gardens, blending of

various materials with simplicity in expression, reviving traditional elements from old Dhaka.

As an example, the elimination of boundary walls that segregates human from buildings is

distinctive features of his designs. For him, a house is not only for human but also for nature

likes butterflies and birds.

Next, Mohamad Rafiq Azam also expert in using light and shadow, water and air

inside and outside the building. His design influenced by Lalon and Tagore.

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b. Quotes

Figure 3: “I learnt architecture from my mother-” (source: http://archpresspk.com)

“I don't think Bangladesh client is good and Malaysian client or Indian client is better than

Bangladesh client. Every situation has its own uniqueness, but the problem is that it's not

important for a client to understand architecture. Why do they need to understand architecture,

in the way that you understand architecture? They have their own idea, their own

understanding of their environment, their living environment. So don't expect from them that

they will be like you. If I say very harshly, architects are basically corrupt, because they have

their own way of thinking and they don't see other ways of thinking. So they are already

corrupted - they have their own tunnel view actually, which they are trying to impose on the

client. That is not correct”

“Architecture is all about creating place of desire, for hopefulness and memories - cherishing

the memories”

Muhamad Rafiq Azam.

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2. Projects

There are 5 projects that Mohamad Rafiq Azam involved and applying his sustainable

design style.

a. S.A. Residence

b. South Water Garden

c. Mizan Residence

d. Meghna Residence

e. Alif Breeze

A. S.A. Residence

Figure 4: S.A. Residence‟s courtyard and pool (source: www.homedsgn.com)

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First of all, S.A. Residence is a three-storey residence with contemporary home style

and located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It completed on 2010. The main material use for this

project is cast-concrete which is it the local material in Bangladesh. This house is simple

but have sustainable elements. For an example, this house have courtyard, pond, ghat

(steps to water) and ample. In short, Mohd. Rafiq Azam design and merge the urban and

rural typologies in this building.

Figure 5: Colour water reflecting local culture (source: www.homedsgn.com)

This project located in city that surrounded by multi-stories buildings. So, designing

building with swimming pool in the middle of the house to create breathing area to house and

cool the house. Also, it is to ensure the privacy to owner of the house. The using of natural

water, green colour of water, reflecting the local culture of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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Figure 6: Pool in the middle cooling the house (source: www.homedsgn.com)

The architect, Mohd. Rafiq Azam designs the south and south-east of the building to

allow the cool breeze come into building during summer but during winters, it allows the

warmth of the sun. The pool in the middle of the house act as the natural exhaust system

which allowing the hot air to escape and cool the building from the middle.

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B. South Water Garden

Figure 7: Blend the building with the nature (source: http://www.architecturenewsplus.com)

South Water Garden located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This apartment building near to

lake and a narrow strip of green patch on at back side of building. Basically, this building

consists of five apartments and ground floor as parking area. As required by client, 75% of

plot area as rule was strong requirement in order to create open green space.

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Figure 8: Plant in front of the building (source: http://www.architecturenewsplus.com)

For this building, 200 square feet of green patch in front of the building. It is located at

the east road. The material use also reflecting the local material, it is terracotta brick in fill,

use for exposed column and beam.

In plan, the simple interior with required functional arrangements is connecting the

beautiful lake and large trees on the west, allowing the south east summer breeze to go

through the entire house with ample light round the day.

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Figure 9: Lawn use as green roof (source: http://www.architecturenewsplus.com)

The scheme also developed the two roof tops of the buildings as community green

with lawns and bushes around a small pavilion as a transformed subtropical architectural

vocabulary addressing the concern of “shortage of green space” in city.

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C. Mizan Residence

Figure 10: Enjoying the wind and rain (source: http://www.world-architects.com)

Completed on 2004, Mizan Residence is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This building

is a duplex (level 5 and 6) within a 6 storied apartment. The concept is to live closely with

nature and befriend with flora and fauna, water, aroma and natural habitat. By creating man

made pavilion that create the bridge gaps between the architectural value and natural. It is

breeding conversation between human and nature.

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Figure 11: Depriving gentle breeze inside and tranquil view outside. (source: http://www.world-architects.com)

The purpose of living in this house is to rejuvenate with the summer cool breeze from

southeast flowing over the lake. Also, the morning dawning sunlight to the last drowning light

and twilight peeping through inside the house. A transformed courtyard in the middle of the

house connecting the levels, extending the views to the lake through the glass stair, and

bringing down the cosmos through the removable glass roof .

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D. Meghna Residence.

Figure 12: Living in Delta (source: http://www.homedsgn.com)

Firstly, Meghna Residence is located at Dhanmondi, Bangladesh. It is a single

extended family house. This house design by considering the context, climate and traditional

typology.

To response to surrounding context, the northwest road has median with large

mahoganies acting as a screen providing privacy for the house. The house is facing a large

open play field and a swimming pool belonging to the women sports federation across the

northeast road.

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Figure 13: Courtyard one of the importance element. (source: http://www.homedsgn.com)

In Bangladesh the courtyard is a traditional typology creating space for living in

privacy along with cross ventilation, ample daylight and vegetation.

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E. Alif Breeze.

Figure 14: Merging nature elements (source: www.topboxdesign.com)

Alif Breeze Apartment building in Dhaka, Bangladesh can accommodate 20 families.

The entrance design create open-to-sky body of water and support by a long marble benches,

lounge and reception areas, green area, defused lights, terracotta and granite flooring all

merge to create a meeting point at the ground level.

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Figure 15: Local and natural material used (source: www.topboxdesign.com)

This building used to have 8,000 square feet of flat roof as community space with

lawns, vegetation and terraces. This space act as reducing building heat and provided green

space.

Reinforced concrete beams, columns and sheer walls cast with exposed terracotta

brick infill have been used.

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3 .Conclusion

In a nut shell, Mohamad Rafiq Azam shows that architecture is not just the building

itself but it should be blend, merge or mix with the surrounding elements, nature. In practice,

most of people have their understanding of sustainability and ecology in term of green

architecture, however, at last, they meet the same result and aim that will save the nature, our

environment. What we take from the nature, we should give back as a balance in ecology

system. For an example, to build a building, we cut the tree but as exchange or replace it back,

we plant the tree by applying green top roof and so on. This balance had been said in Quran,

“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your

languages and your colors: verily in that are Signs for those who know.” (al-Rum, 22). Last,

human and nature like a solid cemented structure held together in unity and strength, each part

contributing strength in its own way, and the whole held together not like a mass, but like a

living organism.

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4. References

Unknown. Rafiq Azam. Retrieved 13 February 2013, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafiq_Azam

Daniele Domenicali. S.A Residence / Shatotto. Retrieved 17 August 2012, from

http://www.archdaily.com/263940/s-a-residence-shatotto/

Dr. Afroza Akhter. South Water Garden. Retrieved 2007, from

http://www.architecturenewsplus.com/projects/2218

Unknwon. SHATOTTO. Retrieved 2012, from

http://www.architecturenewsplus.com/profiles/628

Rafiq Azam. Project Residential. Retrieved 1999, from http://www.shatotto.com/projects-

residential.html?id=1

DesignBuild. Alif Breeze Apartments, Bangladesh. Retrieved 2012, from

http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/alif-breeze-leaf/

Admin. Meghna Residence by Shatotto Architects. Retrieved 2006, from

http://www.homedsgn.com/2011/10/06/meghna-residence-by-shatotto-architects/

Zain Mankani. I LEARNT ARCHITECTURE FROM MY MOTHER. Retrived 2012, from

http://archpresspk.com/new-version/architect-rafiq-azam-interview.html

Hassan Saifuddin Chandan. Mizan Residence. Retrieved 2012, from http://www.world-

architects.com/projects/31497_mizan_residence

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5. Index

Awards

•2012: Winner of Emirates Glass Leading European Architects‟ Forum (LEAF) Award

•2012: Winner of World Architectural Community Award, 11th Cycle

•2012: The South Asian “Architect of the Year” Award, 2011

•2009: Winner, Cityscape Architecture Award for the” project S.A Residence”, Dhaka.

•2009: Winner, 5th cycle, World Architecture Community Award.

•2008: Winner, 2nd cycle (Most Thought Provoking Project), World Architecture

Community Award. •2008: Winner, 1st cycle, World Architecture Community Award.

•2007: AR Awards for Emerging Architecture awards, biggest architectural award for the

young architects in the world.

•2007: Berger Award for Excellence in Architecture 2007

•2007: The 2007 Kenneth F. Brown, Asia Pacific Culture & Architecture Design Award.

USA.

•1999: Young Architect‟s Award in the South Asian Architecture Award.

•1996: IAB Design Award, awarded by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh

•1991: Winner, Mimar International Design Competition-VII, London.

•2012: Berger Award for Excellence in Architecture (commendation)

•2011: Short-listed, WA community Awards, 9th Cycle (Two projects).

•2011: The South Asian Architecture Commendation Award.

•2011: World Architecture News (WAN) Award, Long listed for” 21 for 21 Award”

•2011: World Architecture News (WAN) Award, Long listed for Health Sector – Un-built

Projects

•2009: Highly Commended, Cityscape Architecture Award for the project Eye Hospital,

Dhaka.

•2009: Highly Commended, Cityscape Architecture Award for the project Meghna Residence,

Dhaka.

•2009: LEAF(Leading European Architects Forum), Short-listed

•2009: World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards, Shortlisted for Health and Residential

Category – Future

•2008: Citation, 3rd cycle, World Architecture Community Award.

•2008: „Selected‟ as one of the ten emerging designers of the world by “Urban Land”, USA

•2007: Short-listed among the 27 finalists for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA)

•2005: The South Asian Architecture Commendation Award

•2004: Cityscape Architectural Review Commendation Award.

•2004: Nomination for the “AAKA-1992” (Aga Khan Award for Architecture) for the project

- Mahmood Residence at Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

•2003: The South Asian Architecture Commendation Award

•1997: The South Asian Architecture Commendation Award.

•1992: Nomination for the “AAKA-1992” (Aga Khan Award for Architecture) for the project

- Azam Residence in Lalbagh, Old Dhaka.

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Invited Speaker

•Forum CSA (The Alumni of the City school of architecture), Sri Lanka, November, 2012

•Department of Architecture, Moratuwa University, Sri Lanka, November, 2012

•Master Architect Lecture Series: C.A.R.E School of Architecture, Trichy, October, 2012

•Shibpur Engineering University, 2012

•Daud College, Karachi, 2012

•National Institute of Advanced Studies in Architecture (NIASA), Cuttack, India, 2012

•3rd International Seminar & Exhibition, BaA , Melbourne, Australia, September 2012

•Jadavpur University, September, 2012

•T2F , The Atelier Pakistan, 2011

•“Architect‟s Forum”, organized by The Aga Khan Trust, London, 2011

•Bangladesh University, Dhaka, 2011

•MASA Conference, Bangalore, March, 2011

•361 degree conference, Mumbai, 2011

•“CAA” Sri Lanka, 2010.

•Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB), 2007,2010

•Mongolbar shobha, Dhaka, 2011,2012

•“ACA-14” Lahore, Pakistan 2010

•“Comsets , NCA and IAP Islamabad , Pakistan” 2010

•“PAM” Kuala Lampur 2010

•“Indian Institute of Architects, Kerala 2010

•Jadavpur University, Kolkata 2010.

•University Teknology Malaysia, 2010

•Metro city Summit, Kuala Lampur 2009

•“My Tropical Architecture” for” Kuala Lampur vision 2020” , 2008

•RAIA, Sydney, Australia, 2008.

•Reggio Calabria University, Italy, 2008.

•The National University of Singapore, 2008.

•Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 2008.

•Young architect‟s festival, India, 2007.

•Annual Conference of IAP, Karachi, Pakistan, 2007.

•National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, Pakistan, 2007.

•Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, 2007.

•The University of Hawaii, Manoa, U.S.A., 2006.

•The Catholic University of America, W.D.C., U.S.A., 2006.

•Datum: KL 2006, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.

•The University of Malaysia, 2006.

•SAARCH Conference, Dhaka, 2004.