In an era where city life often pulls rural inhabitants into its fast-paced currents, there are those who yearn to bring the essence of village life back into the city. Such was the unusual brief that landed on the desk of architect Jishnu Kumar Das, Principal Architect of Nirmanik Architects. The clients, a family accustomed to urban life, wanted their home on the outskirts of Sylhet, Bangladesh, to feel more like the rural landscape they longed for, rather than the city they inhabited.
The project, aptly named "The Breath," is a reflection of that desire. It doesn’t merely mimic rural aesthetics; it embraces the principles of living closer to nature. Jishnu Kumar Das’s approach was to reimagine how urban homes could be reconnected with nature without sacrificing modern comforts.
Project Overview
The Challenge: Re-imagining Rural Life in an Urban Setting
The family’s request posed a unique challenge: transforming an urban plot into a home that offers the tranquility of rural life. The Architect was candid with the clients; building a village in the middle of the city wasn’t feasible. But creating a home that echoes the rhythms of rural life? That was something he could work with.
The goal became clear: to design a house that feels like a rural escape, where green space, fresh air, and natural sounds are integrated into the daily living experience. The design includes a lush open space where the family could plant trees, and the sound of rain on tin roofs would transport them to the serenity of the countryside.
Cross Ventilation: The Game-Changer
One of the most significant challenges faced in this project was addressing the heat typical of Sylhet’s climate. With the house sitting on the city's fringe, exposed to the sun and open space, the temperature inside could have easily become unbearable. However, The Architect used the design principle of cross-ventilation, not just as a passive cooling method but as the defining feature of the residence.
Cross-ventilation allows fresh air to flow continuously throughout the house, significantly reducing the temperature inside by 10-15 degrees Celsius. It proved to be so effective that during a site visit in the mid-morning, neither The Architect nor his team needed to turn on a fan, despite being inside the house until noon—a remarkable testament to how well the system works.
Design Elements: A Breath of Fresh Air
The house has a distinctive tin roof, which amplifies the sound of rain—a nostalgic touch meant to mimic the auditory experience of living in rural Bangladesh. The spacious outdoor areas allow for tree planting, further encouraging the rural ambiance the family sought. Inside, the design is clean and minimalist, favoring open spaces that help the house "breathe" and stay cool even during the hottest days.
This emphasis on natural cooling through architectural design rather than relying on mechanical systems like air conditioning aligns with sustainable principles and also offers the residents a more harmonious living environment. The house feels like an extension of nature, a space where the breeze flows freely, and the sun is both welcomed and tamed.
In Essence: A Home That Breathes
"The Breath" is more than just a house—it’s an exploration of how architecture can respond to the emotional needs of its inhabitants. By integrating cross-ventilation, open spaces, and elements reminiscent of rural life, Ar. Jishnu Kumar Das has created a residence that stands as a beacon for thoughtful, climate-responsive design.
For the residents, the house is a daily retreat, where the hectic pace of urban life dissolves as they step inside. For the architectural community, it is an exemplary case of how design can adapt to the unique aspirations of clients while addressing environmental challenges.
Status: Built
Location: Sylhet, BD
Firm Role: Consultant
Additional Credits: Structural Design: Eng. Basanta Sinha
Photographs by: jishnu kumar Das, Junaid Hasan Pranto
