Green design the ultimate solution

Green design of a building makes it functional, aesthetically pleasing and reflects culture, said noted architects on the concluding day of the three-day international conference on architecture in the capital yesterday.

“It ensures higher standard of living, conserves the environment and resources while making people happy,” said Ken Yeang, a Malaysian architect, ecologist and author known for his signature eco-architecture and eco master plans.

Green design is a harmony of structures with nature aiming at conserving biodiversity by making use of suitable construction materials, he said.

Bengal Foundation in association with the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) hosted the conference fashioned Engage Dhaka 2015 with the participation of 14 globally-acclaimed historians, theorists, teachers and practitioners of architecture from home and abroad.

The green building construction must comply with the regulations of authorities, said Yeang, a pioneer and practitioner of ecology-based design since 1971.

Bashirul Haq, a renowned Bangladeshi architect, planner and educator, said, “Nature and culture are the foundation of my design.” He is widely known for his ideological environment-responsive architectural style.

Architectural design must reflect simplicity, which is an element of beauteous rural Bengal and a part of Bengali culture, he said.

A building turns lively if it makes use of natural light and air and embodies local cultural heritage with efforts for urban sustainability, said Haq, who during his 45 years of professional career has designed more than 250 buildings with his signature architectural style.

Remaining organic would resolve many of today's problems in the face of environmental pollution and climatic changes, he added.

Han Tümertekin from Turkey, Saif Ul Haque and Farooq Ameen from Bangladesh and renowned historian and critic of architecture William JR Curtis from France also spoke at the concluding session, among others.

Students, teachers and practitioners turned up with great enthusiasm for the event.

Some other world famous architects who took part in the conference included Fumihiko Maki from Japan, Kenneth Frampton, Rahul Mehrotra from the USA, Kongjian Yu from China, Anupama Kundoo from India, Palinda Kannangara from Sri Lanka and Hector Fernandez Elorza from Spain.  

State Minister for Science and Technology Yafes Osman attended the concluding session.