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Housing Arch 473 Dept. of Architecture, BUET 2.00 credits

Course Tutor: Professor Dr. Shayer Ghafur .

Photo Assignment: May, 2010

BDDL Green Mart- Minimum dwelling to minimum survival.

The Shops replace the desired entry for the housing estate.

BDDL Green Mart is a private housing developed to sell to the masses. It has 68 housing units ranging from 500 to 1200 sq.ft and 30 shops. While the 2004 housing development rule permits a maximum density of 75 dwelling units per acre, it is built on an 11.5 katha plot.

The first picture shows how the entry of the housing block is neglected and replaced by commercial units, thus severely altering the idea of boundary, a very basic psychological housing need.

The second image provides an idea how the spatial needs of a housing unit is converted. Balcony, or a semi-outdoor space, which depicts a way of healthy living changes to a mere 2’6’’ wide space. Thus, changing its meaning from a humane space to a functional sq.ft area to be used to dry cloths or some other secondary function.

The very notion of privacy or retreating to my very own den is a basic requirement for any housing unit. However, in the second image, the adjacent flats have windows almost within touching distance. Where visual privacy can be achieved with curtain (in expense of the only source of daylight), sound will surely violate each others privacy.

Dwelling units are supposed to be a retreat for people. A place to rejuvenate. It is very obvious, that in this housing estate, space is a commodity.

Very narrow (2’6’’ wide) balcony for the 500sq.ft flat

The proximity of the windows of the adjacent redefines the concept of privacy in your own den.

Ahmed KKKK 0510