Category: Projects

PROJECT TITLE: THE ASPARAGUS
LOCATION: 53 GULSHAN AVENUE, DHAKA
COMPLETION YEAR: 2000

This is Bangladesh’s first-ever theatre restaurant. As the theme, it gains its inspiration from Somerset Maugham’s THE LUNCHEON. The restaurant is a combination of stage drama combined with fine dining and the entire environment conveys the theme, expressed through graphics, abstract paintings, and meticulous interior detailing. The exterior of the building – its architectural style; form and materials grabs instant attention. The original facade is transformed to give it a snazzy look with graphics and signage. Design details fabricated with wrought–iron elements lend a contemporary air and an ostentatious feel to the ambiance of the entire restaurant. A dramatic skylight illuminates the café theatre, while a handsome interplay of finishes creates a sense of excited expectation, light tones of wood, glass surfaces with screen prints of extracts taken from the story which gave Asparagus its name.

A 2-storied residential building at the corner plot of Dhanmondi Road # 11, Dhaka, and offered as the space for the Restaurant didn’t necessarily speak out “Restaurant”. The house was originally built in 1961 and had been used for residence purposes mainly all through the years. At the end of May 1997, the entrepreneurs of SANTOOR decided to use the Ground Floor as a Restaurant while the 1st Floor would remain as it was.

The name of the restaurant SANTOOR given by the Architects himself comes from a musical instrument which itself starts the design theme. The theme of the Design may be described as a Contemporary Orchestration — a consonance or blend of the tradition and the contemporary.

The Project is an exercise of Renovation, Interior, and Landscaping integrating elements and motifs of Fine Art and Graphics. Starting from the logo the Architect has also designed the Menu, and the Dress Code and even selected the music, which would enchant the guests of the restaurant. It surely is an example of his total architecture creating a tasteful environment in totality. A reflection of Collage Work, the effort was to create a total environment by relating the exterior with the interior. A harmony of 2 and 3-dimensional graphics with a symbolic representation of the past meeting the future.

An attempt has been taken to give a feeling of serenity and sophistication to the exterior treatment of the building using a combination of detailed exposed brick details and delicately painted plastered surfaces. Also, an effort has been given to make the total outlook present a touch of welcome and a reflection of the delicate inside. The broken line of the wall façade parapet serves as a visually enveloping element. A total area of 460 sqm used as a restaurant area includes a dining area of around 130 people and other supporting facilities. The pantry and the kitchen area are on the backside.

There is a certain extent of madness; an effort to break away from what it should be using all kinds of materials translated into different media. But the whole idea was to offer the guests the scope to explore the excitement of a dramatic and playful environment.

1998

PROJECT TITLE: THE WHITE CASTLE
LOCATION: KEMAL ATATURK AVENUE, BANANI, DHAKA
COMPLETION YEAR: 1995

The historic city of Dhaka is heir to a rich cultural legacy of architecture which can be seen in its surviving buildings and monuments. Dhaka has been ruled by the Mughals for a long time and that is why the architecture of Dhaka is widely influenced by the particularities of Mughal architecture.

The white castle portrays a statement of modernity yet retaining a traditional flavor. It has an ambience which brings the outdoors in, a linking of exterior and interior spaces, by introducing as much openness as possible. With the use of classical elements and subtle colors, an arena of luxury and style has been created.

Being at the topmost floor, it is difficult for people locate it. To create a sense of direction a carriage and two white horses stand at the traffic signal, seemingly waiting to head for The White Castle. It’s a symbolic representation of the past meeting the present, conveying the message that tradition can blend with modernity and cater to the needs of today.