23/90 Architects won prestigious 'World Architecture Community Award'

Twin Duplex at Narayanganj: Award-Winning Architectural Innovation by 23/90 Architects

23/90 Architects is proud to announce that our project, Twin Duplex at Narayanganj, has been honored with the World Architecture Community Award in its 13th cycle, April 2013. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to designing spaces that are both functional and sensitive to their environmental and social contexts.

A Vision Rooted in Family and Function

The Twin Duplex project was conceived for two brothers who sought individual duplexes while ensuring connectivity with their mother’s suite. The mother’s suite was designed to bridge both residences, symbolizing familial unity while respecting the need for personal space.

Site Challenges and Design Response

The project site posed multiple constraints and opportunities. Previously a naval gas pump (marine refueling center) and a small office, the client requested these facilities remain operational. Additionally, the site faced challenges such as flood risk, sound and vapor pollution from the mixed-use industrial surroundings, and an obstructed river view due to an adjacent mosque.

Our response was a strategic elevation of the structure by 15 feet, mitigating flood risks while unlocking views of the hidden river. The planning emphasized an introverted design, ensuring protection from the surrounding industrial activity while fostering a serene, self-contained living environment.

Materiality and Construction Strategy

To maintain cost-effectiveness, the project utilized concrete, brick/plaster, glass, and wood, embracing locally available materials to facilitate construction with minimal supervision. The interplay of these elements resulted in a distinct, modern aesthetic that harmonizes with the natural environment yet stands out as a bold architectural statement.

Spatial Organization and Privacy

The zoning of the project was carefully orchestrated into commercial, semi-commercial, semi-private, and private domains, ensuring seamless transitions between spaces. An introverted plan safeguarded privacy while fostering a unique breathing space within the dwelling. Notable design elements include:

• Three levels of children’s play areas: inner court, ground floor, and front lawn.

• Inner and peripheral courts to regulate humidity, minimize noise, and optimize light and ventilation.

• A servant quarter strategically placed one level below the living zone to maintain household efficiency without disrupting privacy.

• Innovative use of traditional jali screens, ensuring both privacy and uninterrupted river views.

• Integrated setback spaces, which were not left as voids but rather incorporated into the adjacent indoor and common areas.

• Preservation of existing trees, with only one tree replaced due to structural necessity, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable landscaping designed to absorb maximum rainwater.

  
  

  

  
  

A Testament to Thoughtful Design

The Twin Duplex at Narayanganj exemplifies context-sensitive, resource-efficient, and family-centered architecture. By addressing site constraints with strategic elevation, sustainable material selection, and introverted spatial planning, the project successfully meets both functional needs and aesthetic aspirations.

Receiving the World Architecture Community Award is a testament to the project’s innovative approach and the dedication of the entire 23/90 Architects team. This recognition inspires us to continue crafting spaces that balance human needs with environmental responsibility, pushing the boundaries of architectural excellence.

For more details on the project, visit: Twin Duplex at Narayanganj.

Explore more about this project on our website: Twin Duplex at Narayanganj – 23/90 Architects.