2024 - Lightweave Arena

This project not only focused on the structural logic of large-span architecture but also emphasized the functionality, contextual integration, and climatic features of the site, such as daylight.

Location: Doel Chattar, an iconic roundabout in the heart of Dhaka city, near landmarks like Curzon Hall, the Mausoleum of the Three Leaders, and the university’s central football field.

Concept: The design’s inclined facades are inspired by the dynamic angles of an athlete’s running posture. The sports arena reflects Dhaka’s climatic characteristics and incorporates principles from traditional courtyard-style housing, where each function is separated by open spaces. A key design focus is the reflection of the superstructure on the water body north of the building.

Design Brief: The proposed design seeks to visually connect significant monuments to their surroundings, creating an atmosphere of celebration. From the cafeteria and the Hall of Fame, visitors can enjoy expansive views of these landmarks simultaneously. A water body extending from the north to the east side of the complex is integrated into the design, controlling access points and providing a reflective perspective of the structure. This reflection will be visible from both Doel Chattar and the metro-rail. The café, strategically positioned next to the water body with a deck extending northward, offers a unique floating experience with clear views of Doel Chattar and the metro.
The main sports hall features a futsal field that can be converted into two basketball courts as needed. The arena distinctly separates public zones from private areas, including players’ locker rooms, a gymnasium, and other amenities. To delineate functional zones while maintaining visual connectivity, green spaces, or courtyards, are incorporated between them. The angles of the east and west facades align with the steel-structured super-roof, reducing solar glare and interior heat. The super-roof, a significant project feature, includes ’X-shaped’ cut-outs replaced with translucent Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) sheets. This design ensures sunlight penetration, illuminating the futsal field while diffusing light to provide a comfortable playing environment without glare.
The in-between courtyards not only separate the public zone (reception, hall of fame, cafe, spectator gallery) from the private player zone (locker rooms, manager’s room, gymnasium, etc.) but also ensure that the whole complex stays well-lit during a sunny day. Sunlight, to some extent, can even enter the spaces under the spectator gallery. (VIP zone, zone for people with disabilities/PWD, washroom, and kitchen). The vertical and inclined louvers also create mesmerizing patterns of light and shadows at the sides of the main field and in the spectator gallery.