Sarawat Iqbal Tesha, Monon Bin Yunus, Rajib Ahmed

Driven by a yearning for their ancestral roots and childhood memories, a family of West Bengal origin seeks a haven in Bangladesh. This country house transcends a mere dwelling; it's a sanctuary to reconnect with nature and create lasting memories. Life embraces a slower pace while modern amenities seamlessly blend with rustic charm, ensuring a tranquil retreat without sacrificing contemporary comforts.

The design harmonizes with the Eternal and Timeless Forces of the Site. Natural contours, seasonal shifts, and even the whispers of the wilderness guide the house's placement. The existing bamboo forest, a sacred junction of wind currents, becomes the heart of the design. Scattered arrangements of house blocks reminiscing rural household patterns blend into its verdant embrace. Each block, perched at varying heights, dances above seasonal floodwaters and offers unobstructed views and natural ventilation.

The surrounding landscape is a living tapestry that evolves with the seasons. Lowlands transform into nurturing ponds, teeming with life, while fertile fields and orchards promise fresh bounty. The bamboo forest itself unfolds in two chapters: one, a manicured haven for peaceful strolls, the other, a wild sanctuary for the local fauna. Trees, chosen for their subtle hues, frame vistas and cloak the pavilions, echoing the organic rhythm of the rural landscape.

Place-making avails symphony in spaces that connect you to the world around you. Every detail, from open terraces to hidden courtyards, invites nature in. The bamboo whispers secrets on the breeze, while the night sky becomes a breathtaking spectacle through expansive windows. Even washrooms transform into observatories, a celebration of nature's raw beauty.

This sanctuary whispers of self-sufficiency. Food flourishes on fertile grounds, nurtured by the sun and rainwater. Small-scale renewable energy sources hum in the background, promising a future off the grid. Materials, lovingly collected by the owner over years, find new life in the house's construction, imbuing it with a personal touch.

The project offers an experience of layered transitions: from urban bustling Dhaka city life to a slower pace of existence, from highlands to lowlands. Glimpses of the building blocks unfold into their full majesty. Time itself seems to warp, embracing both the vibrancy of youth and the wisdom of age. From microcosm to vast expanse, the senses are constantly engaged. From real to surreal, from conscious to subconscious, to spirituality. From a place of anywhere to "A House at Nowhere".

Material of Construction Detail:

• Minimal impact on trees and land: Existing trees are protected and buildings are built on shallow foundations to avoid major digging.
• Hybrid structure: The foundation footprint has been reduced to the minimum while touching the soil lightly. It carries the steel structure above.
• Two ponds: Depressions are converted into fish ponds with an interactive pier. Excavated soil is turned into an embankment for flood protection.
• Natural blending: Green and black pigmented concrete for walls and columns blend with the surroundings mimicking watercolor paintings.
• Nature-inspired finishes: Polished green concrete, green Kota stone with regional motifs and Loha wood planks craft a natural setting.
• Durable materials: Teak wood doors and windows with various operating systems ensure longevity.