Even as cities across the globe have begun to become saturated with densely configured buildings parked in close proximity to each other, there are some infrastructural categories wherein one still expects the presence of ample expansive spaces. One of these is educational buildings. Reflective of the curious mind of a child and the experimental nature of learning, educational structures, despite several constraints, are designed to include spaces that allow for unencumbered visual and physical passage while also integrating voids for informal interactions. With the challenge of space constraint becoming more common in urban areas, it has become imperative for architects to innovate and experiment with the spatial configuration within schools and universities to ensure that within these spaces, the presence of informal zones or public commons does not become diluted.

The Bangladesh-based architectural practice Cubeinside, faced a similar dilemma when they were tasked with designing the structure for South East University in Dhaka. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Dhaka is known to accommodate more than 23,000 people per square kilometre, according to the United Nations. The effect of this density has further exacerbated over the past years, with regular expansion and periodic migration of people from other districts to Dhaka to acquire better education and jobs.

Already home to more than a hundred private universities where adequate infrastructure facilities are often missing or compromised, the decision to build a new structure for South East University in Dhaka was approached by Cubeinside with due cognisance. To carve out a healthy, balanced and engaging spatial experience for students, the Bangladeshi architecture studio designed both formal and informal spaces within the tight urban land designated for the university. Since the campus had to grow vertically due to limited space, Cubeinside adopted an introverted design, with a central nucleus or void that not only welcomes students to engage in discussions but opens up the entire space in a way such that all floors are visible when seated in this central zone. “The central void creates inspiring spaces through different dimensions like a hierarchy of spaces, visual and spatial connectivity, daylights and most importantly, by creating an identity for the campus community,” the architects shared.

The site of the university is within Tejgaon, an area that has recently been converted into a commercial and institutional zone from earlier industrial usage. Hence, most proximal structures are characterised by low heights and large spans, with only a few structures rising over three stories. This change in land use is a government initiative undertaken to decentralise Dhaka. Hence, while the industries have been moved outside Dhaka, the industrial buildings in the area are either being replaced by new commercial and institutional buildings or being set up for adaptive reuse. Part of this change also includes upgrading the road network with new expressways.

The context of the university created a profound impact on the design of the structure, its facade design and the character of the campus. The facade of the building is primarily flat and solid, with some large apertures and windows to keep the indoors illuminated with natural light. Since the outdoor view is not particularly attractive, the visual connectivity with the outside has been designed in a calculated manner. 

Since the building codes allowed for it to host nearly 50 per cent of the total area as open space, the designers opened up the central portion to accommodate an atrium-cum-courtyard, with introverted planning in place. Upon entering the building through a subtly designed entryway, one is greeted with an unencumbered central void that manages to open up the space despite its limited footprint. Further, the ground floor houses most of the common facilities, the first floor houses administrative units and the floors above host the core classrooms and labs. Since the classrooms and labs are placed around the central void, one remains connected to the courtyard no matter where they are in the building. This proximity to the courtyard, in addition to the corridors, bridges and terraces, designed to ensure minimal visual hindrance, opens up visual access across all corners of the building, hence enhancing its connectivity.

Although the university offers degrees in science, business, engineering and arts, the design of the campus is not implemented in a manner that spatially segregates the different departments. “It is done mostly as per the user experience and functional grouping of formal informal gathering spaces,” the studio illustrates. While the academic spaces like classrooms and labs which are shared and used by routine are accordingly placed, the administrative zones, multipurpose spaces, student activity zones, library and common rooms for club activities and auditorium occupy slightly spaced out spatial locations. This ensures that students from varied departments find more opportunities to interact informally.

With regards to the brief shared by the clients, Cubeinside shares, “They had to accommodate a good number of pupils within a short period due to some government policies by the university grant commission of removing all the temporary and rented campuses into permanent establishments for all private universities. So, the main challenge was to construct and complete the work of 3,30,000 square feet within two years." Further, the studio was tasked with keeping the construction and operational costs for the project minimal. These requirements also shaped the design of the structure and the materials used to construct it.

For the structural system, a prefabricated steel structure was installed since this takes less time as compared to the installation of a concrete structure of the same volume. The column beam and floor plate are supported by a steel element with a concrete base stationed underneath the single basement. The floor plates are cast over the metal decking sheet supported by steel beams and sub-beams. The floors are finished with homogenous matt floor tiles of concrete finish to prevent wear and tear. Further, the walls of the structure were constructed using bricks, which also shield the steel structure to ensure weather protection. The brick walls, covered with red cladding bricks, create a warm, vibrant and low-maintenance surface.

Within the classrooms, the walls are plastered with white paint to ensure the vibrancy of the indoor space during the daytime. All the open spaces feature a false or drop ceiling that accommodates service ducts and cable trays. The safety railings, on the other hand, are fabricated in mild steel and finished with heat paints. The central court is covered with sandwiched and laminated tempered glass to ensure protection from rain and heat while also letting light flow in.

The choice of materials and method of construction was effected to ensure reduced cost, time and capital, whilst also keeping the campus either maintenance-free or low maintenance, which further reduces the long-term cost of the structure. The temperature of the building is regulated via the voids in the buildings. With the central courtyard, stairs and other open portions of the building, both vertical and horizontal airflow is easily ensured. Further, several openings also feature transparent glazings with operable panels in case the need to install and use air conditioning arises. South East University in Dhaka exemplifies the process of integrating voids and informal nooks within a very densely stipulated site. Even as its exterior form gives the impression of a closed-up space devoid of natural light and airflow, its interiors reveal an airy and lit-up haven set up for all sorts of serendipitous happenings.

Project Details

Name: South East University
Location: Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Architectural firm: Cubeinside
Lead architect: Khandaker Ashifuzzaman Rajon
Associate architects: Shakhawat Hossain Rocky, Mehri Farnaz, Md. Sharifuzzaman
Design Team: Asifa Islam, Usama Ibn Anwar
Structural engineer: Nazrul Alam
MEP & HVAC consultant: Idrisur Rahman
Electrical consultant: Akbar Ali Gazi
Lighting design: Platform Solutions
Area: 30,670 square metres
Year of Completion: 2023