Nestled within the rapidly evolving landscape of Dhaka, A Pavilion of Rain is an
architectural project that embodies an emotional connection to the past and a deep
reverence for nature. It centers around a mother and her son, whose memories of an old
1980s building and its once verdant surroundings serve as the foundation for the design.
Dhaka, once a lush green city, has gradually transformed into a dense concrete jungle,
and this project seeks to preserve the essence of those early days while addressing the
modern realities of urban living.
The client, whom the architect met while playing badminton at the site’s playground, has
a deep emotional bond with both the space and his mother, for whom he is the sole
caregiver. The mother has been suffering from schizophrenia for many years, requiring
constant care and attention. The client’s role as her only guardian influenced the design
process profoundly, with the architect recognizing that the project must honor these
personal stories and integrate them into the architectural vision.
Rain is the heart of nature in monsoon country like Bangladesh. Rain drops impacts on life
of people just like a blessing in life both mentally and physically. Rain can be a wonderful
sensory experience. It’s relaxing to watch & hear raindrops falling seemingly in random
patterns This connection to rain became the central theme of A Pavilion of Rain, with the
architect envisioning a space that celebrates the soothing rhythm of rainfall, providing
an oasis of tranquility in the heart of a chaotic city.
Dhaka’s rapid urbanization has left little room for serene spaces to enjoy simple pleasures
such as observing rain. The architect's vision was to create a "rain observatory," a pavilion
that would shelter people from the city’s noise and traffic yet immerse them in the natural
beauty of a rainy day. In doing so, the pavilion would also evoke the client’s instead have
a calming effect on the pavilion in respect of the mother & son nostalgic memories.
The idea was to create a Biophilic Concept of Living with Nature by designing a pavilion
like, workspace, complementing the playground along with keeping the comforting rain
sound.
The rectangular Pavilion approach includes a parking garage for four cars and a room
with toilet & kitchen facility for the caretaker on the ground floor. The office is located on
the upper floor incorporated at upstairs adjacent to the old building so that son can
closely monitor his mother and the whole complex. The office area is accessible via a
bungalow-style long veranda located in the front; connected with the sculptural yet
subtle single flight staircase; blended with the old residential context under the existing
large foliage of the trees.
The verandah is the open gallery which is a buffer space between the court and the
office working space. People can sit on the steps or stand on the veranda and have a
lovely conversation during social gatherings or participate in ongoing games. It’s also a
refreshing space for working people at office who can experience the nature like
raindrops and the silence of old building. The verandah eventually protects the indoor
spaces from direct heat & driving rain. As well as the vast clear openings allow natural
ventilation properly.
Independent Brick Jalis has been used to create screens and separate the playground
from the parking area merging with the old residential context. The screen makes the
pavilion more connecting with the context. The material palette of the playground
includes traditional brick& concrete Block which helps to enhance the context and
intimate scale of the space. To ensure structural integrity, concrete columns & beams are
used as supporting materials. Additionally, the built form is roofed with Iron sheets with
metal frame which are lightweight and help blur the lines between indoor and outdoor
spaces. Material & structural focus was given on integrating nature into the project & it
highlights the importance of designing spaces closely connected to nature for a
sustainable living.