“The Light Cubes” is a compact residential building situated in Dhaka’s northern residential neighborhood, Bashundhara. Nestled within a narrow rectangular site measuring 200.67 sqm, this architectural masterpiece exemplifies traditional Bangladeshi living for a close-knit, lineal joint family comprising grandparents, parents, and grandchildren. The design solution materialized in the form of a triplex unit situated above three individual rental apartment floors, fostering the modernity of urban living while cherishing the values of togetherness and strong family bonds.

The form harmoniously breaks the constraints of a narrowing site, comprising voids from the entry level to the triplex unit upstairs, facilitating interactions and communications among the residents. Abundant daylight permeates the common spaces and vertical circulations, enhanced by perforated sunlight and ventilation. As a result, the circulation areas become alluring social spaces. Extended balconies and open terraces adorned with tropical creepers and bushes establish connections with the neighborhood, offering captivating vistas of the surroundings. The integration of as-cast concrete structures with articulated steel space frames and perforated facades incorporates multiple open terraces and seamlessly blends with greenery, creating a new contemporary identity for residential buildings in the city.

The ground floor of the building accommodates community spaces, parking facilities, and electromechanical services. The lower levels house three rental apartment units thoughtfully designed to maximize functionality while optimizing natural light and ventilation from the south side of the building. Above the lower levels stands the triplex unit. Its spaces gradually transition from open and opaque areas meant for sharing family time to personal and private zones for individual use. Vertically interconnected spatial volumes are connected with family spaces and circulation at different levels, resulting in openness and solid-void fluidity of spaces from indoor areas to outdoor terraces, creating a healthy living environment. An additional communal staircase shared by the floors of the triplex unit contributes to its unique charm. To enhance functionality even further, the triplex unit’s multiple floors are easily accessible through shared building elevators, taking into consideration the needs of older residents and children. This thoughtful design feature ensures seamless mobility and convenience for all occupants, regardless of age or physical capabilities. The interplay between the luminous interior and the ever-changing patterns of daylight and perforated light enhances the overall ambiance. A roof terrace crowns the building, serving as a garden zone and a communal gathering space.

From the exterior to the interior, the materiality of the building exudes authenticity, with exposed cast concrete textures. As-cast concrete, Painted metal frames, and glazing define the exterior, while ceramic tiles and exposed concrete blocks create monolithic surfaces, imbuing the interior environment with a raw character.

The design meticulously considers the climate, embracing a practical approach to environmental sustainability. Common spaces and apartment units maximize natural ventilation and daylight, while concrete walls, screen enclosures, and projected shading elements minimize internal heat gain. The indoor environment prioritizes clean air quality and promotes healthy living while minimizing energy consumption. In the external crevices of the building structure, rainwater is used effectively to irrigate the terrace greenery, thus reducing water consumption. Adorned with custom-designed concrete block pixels, the staircase within the triplex unit forms a perforated screen enclosure that responds to the environment, offering panoramic views of the surroundings and embracing natural elements such as sunlight, southern breezes, and rain.

Location: Plot no: 985, Block K, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka.
Site Area: 3 Katha
Build Area: 11,200 Sft
Year Designed: 2019

Consultant: Trikon Architects
Lead Architect: Ar. Shafique Rahman (MIAB)
Design Team: Ahasan Kabir (MIAB), Niaz Morshed (AMIAB), Rakib Patwary
Structural Consultants: Eng. Shamsul Alam (MIEB), Eng. Nazrul Shakil, The Designers and Managers.

Photographer: Prantography, Junaid Hasan Pranto