An Earthy Mélange of Brick and Verdancy – Vacation House, Durgapur, Chattogram

Surrounded by the verdant blemishes of nature, this vacation house designed by Vastushilpa Consultants, is located in Durgapur, a village located 58 kilometers from Chattogram. Positioned far away from the hustles and bustles of megacities, the abode is an ideal place to enjoy a serene ambiance of Durgapur’s subtle nature.

Considering the context of this site, the 6500-square-feet house is positioned in a manner that allows it to interact intimately with the surrounding green exquisiteness. The villa appears to have ascended from the water of the lagoon, with a ‘ghat’ creating an interactive connection between them. Built perpendicularly on the north-south axis, this house is designed to invite an abundance of natural light and fresh air. A large-scale canopy has been built on the southeast side to regulate the excessive heat during the summer, leaving the interior comfortably cool and relaxed. The villa’s west wing has been designated for the remaining service areas, such as the kitchen and restrooms.

The client aspired for a home that would relieve him the chaos and conflicts of his daily city life when he stopped by this vacation house. The two-story home was constructed following his vision and includes five bedrooms in addition to ample space for the living and dining areas. The pond, located on the northwest side of the plot, adds more life and tranquility to the overall ambiance.

While the ground floor has the functions of living, dining, kitchen, and two bedrooms, the first floor comprises the remaining three bedrooms, as well as toilets, a pantry, and a family living space. The two floors are merged by a staircase overlooking a small, serene courtyard that has been set in the heart of the house. A garden has been set up in this courtyard, which echoes the greenery of the adjacent landscape. The courtyard is the heart of the house and is visible from all of the common spaces because of the placement of the living, dining, and other common areas around it.  

“A staircase ascends to the first level, overlooking the courtyard surrounding the greenery. We also loved the concept of the courtyard because we wanted to create a connection between the outside and the inside of the home so that anyone who came here, would feel connected with nature at once. This courtyard also assisted us in arranging light and nature inside the residence. The courtyard’s roof was designed in such a way that as the sun travels throughout the day, it leads to creating an interplay of light and shadow within the house”, shares Ador Yousuf, Principal Architect of Vastushilpa. Along with Ador Yousuf, Principal Architect of Vastushilpa, the project was assisted by Ar. Saima, Ar. Shafkat, Structure Engr. Pronob Roy Chowdhury and Electrical Engr Sujan Das.

The thoughtful design offers the inhabitants of the residence the opportunity to enjoy the play of light and shadow throughout the day.

Bedrooms, drawing-dining settings, and service spaces of the house are planned around the courtyard, where the occupants can spend cherished moments with one another. This small courtyard is positioned in the center of the home, facing the pond, and in the north-south direction so that one can simultaneously enjoy the internal garden, the playfulness of natural light, shadow, and wind, and the outdoor greenery. Despite the openness and transparency, it was ideally required to establish privacy in the internal rooms. A brick screen has been built to divide the garden and dining spaces from the service facilities, ensuring the privacy of the villa residents.

Glancing at the area from the northern side, the house appears to be a floating pond house. The design also took advantage of the longitudinal north-south orientation. The tranquil outdoor space, the roof terrace, and the large north-facing balconies enables the villa to fully embrace the monsoon season as well as the natural environment around them.

Tropical architecture is mirrored throughout the house owing to the client’s cultural heritage. The distinctive characteristics may be observed concisely on the facade and courtyard.

Exposed red bricks, concrete, wooden furnishings, and white walls make up the majority of the material palette, which exudes an earthy, rustic, and cozy mélange.