The Arcadia Education Centre (School) is located in South Kanarchor, Bangladesh [1] on the bank of the Dhaleshwari River. [2] The modular, amphibious structure adapts to seasonal flooding using an innovative design based on traditional building techniques and incorporating local materials. [2] [3] The facility contains a preschool, hostel, nursery, and vocational training centre. [4]
The Maleka Welfare Trust purchased a patch of land so they could relocate one of their preschools and add additional social facilities. [5] The land is flooded five months of the year [1] and its topography is incompatible with conventional solutions to this challenge. [2]
Architect Saif Ul Haque Sthapati of Dhaka, Bangladesh [6] designed a buoyant platform that floats tethered during the rainy season and settles back to the ground during the dry season, allowing the facility to remain operational year-round. [2] In addition to this cost-effective solution to flooding, the building is made of inexpensive materials including several local bamboo varieties and upcycled materials such as steel drums and car tires. [2] The building materials and techniques are based on traditional house construction techniques used in the area. [2] This amphibious structure that rises with water levels could be the potential solution to rising sea levels because of climate change. [7]
The structure is open to nature, allowing students to benefit from natural light while learning from their surroundings. [2]
The Maleka Welfare Trust is a private social welfare organization. [5] Their programs include preschools, a vocational training centre, a nursery, and a hostel for single women. [5]
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture announced the Maleka Welfare Trust's Arcadia Education Project as one of the 2019 Award winners [1] [8] for its thoughtful response to flooding using local materials and traditional building techniques. [2] [9] Razia Alam was presented the Aga Khan Award for Architecture by His Highness the Aga Khan and Mintimer Shaimiev, State Counselor of the Republic of Tatarstan on September 13, 2019. [10]
Bangladesh is consistently ranked among the countries most at risk from climate change. [11] Each year, massive rainfall causes loss of life and displacement of people. [12] [13][ failed verification] Affordable and locally sustainable architectural models like the Arcadia facility improves the everyday lives of Bangladeshis and other affected populations. [2]
The Arcadia Education Centre (School) is located in South Kanarchor, Bangladesh [1] on the bank of the Dhaleshwari River. [2] The modular, amphibious structure adapts to seasonal flooding using an innovative design based on traditional building techniques and incorporating local materials. [2] [3] The facility contains a preschool, hostel, nursery, and vocational training centre. [4]
The Maleka Welfare Trust purchased a patch of land so they could relocate one of their preschools and add additional social facilities. [5] The land is flooded five months of the year [1] and its topography is incompatible with conventional solutions to this challenge. [2]
Architect Saif Ul Haque Sthapati of Dhaka, Bangladesh [6] designed a buoyant platform that floats tethered during the rainy season and settles back to the ground during the dry season, allowing the facility to remain operational year-round. [2] In addition to this cost-effective solution to flooding, the building is made of inexpensive materials including several local bamboo varieties and upcycled materials such as steel drums and car tires. [2] The building materials and techniques are based on traditional house construction techniques used in the area. [2] This amphibious structure that rises with water levels could be the potential solution to rising sea levels because of climate change. [7]
The structure is open to nature, allowing students to benefit from natural light while learning from their surroundings. [2]
The Maleka Welfare Trust is a private social welfare organization. [5] Their programs include preschools, a vocational training centre, a nursery, and a hostel for single women. [5]
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture announced the Maleka Welfare Trust's Arcadia Education Project as one of the 2019 Award winners [1] [8] for its thoughtful response to flooding using local materials and traditional building techniques. [2] [9] Razia Alam was presented the Aga Khan Award for Architecture by His Highness the Aga Khan and Mintimer Shaimiev, State Counselor of the Republic of Tatarstan on September 13, 2019. [10]
Bangladesh is consistently ranked among the countries most at risk from climate change. [11] Each year, massive rainfall causes loss of life and displacement of people. [12] [13][ failed verification] Affordable and locally sustainable architectural models like the Arcadia facility improves the everyday lives of Bangladeshis and other affected populations. [2]