07/01/2026
NOTES FROM THE DESIGNER:
The client who resides primarily in the United Kingdom and occasionally visits Bangladesh, envisioned an apartment in Dhaka that would serve as a serene, refreshing retreat during holidays. The intention was to create a home away from home, one that carried the comforts of a full residence while embracing the lightness and leisure of a getaway space. When the studio was approached, only the slab had been cast, offering an ideal opportunity to reinterpret the layout from the earliest phase. This allowed the spatial organization, circulation, and functional zoning to be rethought entirely in response to the client’s lifestyle and sensibilities.
Being situated on the top floors of a dense urban fabric in Dhaka naturally presented both challenges and immense potential. The primary strategy became capturing the abundant wind flow and unobstructed sunlight available at this height. Swing windows kept intentionally grill free were introduced throughout the apartment to dissolve the barrier between interior and exterior, allowing sweeping breezes and warm daylight to permeate the space. This single architectural decision redefined the atmosphere of the residence, shifting it away from the typical enclosed apartment typology toward a more liberating, airy experience.
The design intent followed a timeless, contemporary aesthetic with a subtle vintage undertone. Given the compact footprint, the layout was refined to optimize spatial perception. Clean linearity, controlled proportions, and the strategic placement of openings helped the interiors feel significantly larger than the square footage suggests. The use of loose furniture was deliberate allowing flexibility to rearrange pieces over time to suit mood, occasion, or need. Locally crafted wooden furniture introduced warmth, tactility, and an appreciation for regional craftsmanship.
Lighting played a crucial role in shaping mood and narrative. A layered lighting strategy incorporated ambient, task, and accent lighting to create multiple experiential settings within the same space. Instead of relying on extensive false ceilings which often compromise spatial height and acoustic quality the design favored elongated doors, closets, and drapery that extended up to the structural ceiling. This not only added a sense of understated luxury but also maintained acoustic and structural integrity. Suspended ceilings were limited to essential areas only, reinforcing a cleaner, more honest architectural expression.
Materiality was kept tranquil and cohesive. Off-white walls paired with textured tiles established a grounded visual calmness, functioning as a neutral backdrop for furniture and natural light to animate the interiors. The palette emphasized longevity and minimal maintenance priorities for a client who would occupy the space intermittently yet desired lasting comfort.
This project relied heavily on meticulous detailing from early civil interventions to the final ex*****on of bespoke joinery. Each junction, transition, and built-in element was carefully orchestrated to ensure harmony between concept and craftsmanship. The overall vision a warm, inviting, contemporary retreat imbued with a vintage charm was realized through patient coordination and hands-on design involvement from raw structure to completion. The entire design and construction process, including civil refinements and custom furniture.
