EXPERIENCING THE WATERSCAPES

from Muntasir Hakim- Portfolio 2023

by Muntasir Hakim

INTO THE PROCESS 12

Ecologically Balanced Tourist Resort

Type: Academic ARC 503 Design Studio X Duration: 12 weeks [Fall 2016]

Role: Individual Work

Instructors: MD Habib Reza, Sajid Bin Doza, Naim Ahmed Kibria and Shams M Ghani

The core idea of the project is to create spaces that stimulate senses and allows one to indulge into a contemplation. An approach to address the fading culture and neglected built environment in the coastal city. An eco-resort which responded to site, micro-climate and tradition - a building which belongs to the place and propose a humanistic and resilient substitute to the dullness of international hospitality architecture. Furthermore, this tourist resort is an attempt to create a serene experience along the existing Waterscapes in the site. The water bodies also act as unifying objects for the various levels of built forms. Moreover, undulated ground surface is sensitively utilized to generate multiple layers of space and views of different type of Waterscapes. In greater aspect, this project suggests an ideal approach toward a sustainability and development of the tourism sector of Bangladesh.

BRAC University

Cox’s Bazar along Bay of Bengal in South Eastern Bangladesh, is one of the most pristine tourism destinations of South East Asia. The town is known for its 125 km long unbroken shore, which is believed to be world’s longest natural sandy sea beach. However, despite major growth in tourism sector especially in hotels and motels, Cox’s Bazar lacks a place of entertainment for the tourists and the locals. The shoreline is piled up of concrete jungles which conflicts with the beautiful rendezvous of the hills and the sea.

Existing entry points are used to allocate primary and service entry. The site surrounding considerations such as built forms, usage, and natural environment to create formal and informal space. Local homesteads were taken as reference to create hospitality areas as introverted as possible. The layout of the villas and cottages were inspired from bungalows and hut style houses of Bengal.

The resort complements with the landscape with minimal disruption to the ecological balance of the area and to provide relaxation among the existing water and landscapes. Moreover, such considerations could help tourists and locals to experience serenity of the site and surrounding. Tourism, local demands and most importantly the climatic conditions of the Cox’s Bazar area were of primary concern throughout the design process.

Contemplation

One of the key points of the resort was the ‘Shagorika’ pond. Entry to the resort was made through this view point of the pond, which is a contemplation area for the tourists.

Stimulating Senses

Finally, all the functions are placed in harmony along the entire site to stimulate senses and generate relaxation among the tourists.

Visual Indulgence

The informal paths will lead to experiencing of landscape, Waterscapes and vegetation. The entire path is made to create a journey for the users offering visual indulgence.

Connecting Waterscapes

The Bay of Bengal, the pond, water bodies and lakes are connected physically or visually to make one feel surrounded by water.

First floor plan of the restaurant

Ground floor plan

The site of a total 17 acre area is surrounded by a dense Tamarisk forest on the South-West. Therefore, strong tidal winds are reduced by the vegetation. Moreover, being a golf course previously, the site had subtle undulation as well. This situation allows to take advantage for placing the forms along the dense vegetation and mound area. Traditional building techniques and material appropriate for the context such as the Kyaung and Rakhine houses. Incorporating the local architecture as the type of buildings, or villas, need to reflect the local culture and heritage of the area so that tourists can experience it. The climatic factors such as strong cyclones are also prudent.