A Study in Tropical Brutalism & Atmospheric Light
Location: Purbachal, Dhaka
Status: Conceptual Design (Ongoing)
Typology: Public / Institutional (Library & Archive)
Visuals: Caelo Studio
Tools: SketchUp, Twinmotion (Custom Lighting)
Year: 2026
Concept: Located in the developing green belt of Purbachal, The Archive House is designed as a sanctuary for knowledge. The goal was to create a "decompression zone"; a space where the chaos of the city is silenced by heavy concrete masses and filtered northern light.
Design Philosophy: The project explores the balance between "History" and "Nature." The material palette is deliberately restrained:
Raw Concrete: Represents permanence and strength.
Corten Steel (Rust): Symbolizes the passage of time and the aging of history.
Native Greenery: Softens the hard edges and brings the tropical context inside.
The lobby is designed as a 'decompression zone'—a transitional space where the chaos of the city is silenced by heavy concrete masses and filtered northern light. We stripped the palette down to three core elements: Raw Concrete for permanence, Glass for transparency, and Native Greenery to soften the brutalist edges.
The reception sits between the main brutalist staircase and the garden. The backdrop is a Corten Steel (Rusted Metal) screen, symbolizing the aging of time.
The desk is a floating concrete block with a hidden light strip to break the heavy mass.
A quiet waiting zone. Note the vintage streetlamp preserved in the garden; a subtle nod to the 'Archive' concept of collecting history.
Anchoring the far corner of the lobby is a custom-designed geometric installation. Crafted from the same weathering steel as the interior screens, the sculpture’s sharp, leaning angles mimic the structural tension of the building. It stands in stark contrast to the minimalist glass facade, acting as a grounding point that bridges the gap between the interior architecture and the garden outside.
Located on the ground level, the Cafe acts as the 'warm heart' of the building. While the Archives are quiet and cool, the Cafe is designed for conversation. We shifted the atmosphere here by introducing Exposed Timber Beams across the ceiling, which instantly lowers the visual scale and adds acoustic warmth to the space.
The Main Hall. Exposed timber beams break the height, creating a more intimate scale for the seating area.
The Coffee Bar. The rusted Corten Steel panels act as a glowing backdrop, tying the cafe to the building's 'Archive' theme.
Focus Mode. Private booths separated by mesh screens, lit by a single pendant for deep work or quiet talks.
The Engine Room. High-end brewing setup on a raw concrete counter.
More coming soon...