- Project: Ayna Burir Adar Residence
- Architect: Sharal Architects
- Location: Bangladesh, Natore
- Year: 2022
- Area: 316 m2
- Photography: Junaid Hasan Pranto
A Modern Homestead Rooted in Memory and Nature
In the tranquil district of Natore, northern Bangladesh, Ayna Burir Adar Residence by Sharal Architects emerges as an evocative architectural narrative — a home that bridges memory, landscape, and contemporary living.
Named after a local legend about an old woman named Ayna who first dared to settle in the dense jungle of Kanaikhali, this three-story family residence carries forward a story of resilience and belonging. Today, it stands overlooking the open Kanaikhali field, embodying the same spirit of courage and harmony with nature that inspired its name.
Concept & Design Philosophy
The project was commissioned by a multigenerational family who sought to rebuild their ancestral home — not as a monument to the past, but as a living continuation of it.
The architects envisioned a home that respects the ecological richness and local materiality of the region while embracing the needs of modern life. The guiding idea was to restore a sense of openness — both physical and emotional — that allows residents to remain connected to the surrounding landscape.
The result is a three-story residence that weaves together indoor and outdoor life through voids, courtyards, terraces, and balconies, creating a continuous dialogue between the built form and the natural world.
Spatial Strategy & Courtyard Typology
The 2.7-katha plot (≈185 m²) enjoys a westward view toward the Kanaikhali field, while the north side shares a boundary with Ansar Camp. Sharal Architects designed the residence as two linear blocks aligned east–west, separated by an open central courtyard.
This courtyard becomes the heart of the home — an atrium of light and air that allows cross-ventilation, visual continuity, and moments of reflection across the three levels. Circulation paths, balconies, and staircases all wrap around this void, reinforcing the sense of openness and interaction between family members across generations.
The main staircase, set beside a cluster of mature bamboo trees, becomes a sculptural connector linking the floors while drawing nature directly into the core of the structure.
Materiality & Architectural Expression
The design language blends regional craftsmanship with modern construction logic, relying on materials that are tactile, local, and environmentally responsive.
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Exposed brick forms the building’s skin — a living material that visually ties the house to the earth and the surrounding greenery.
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Raw concrete provides structure and contrast, balancing permanence with texture.
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Wood, glass, and mild steel (MS bar) are used sparingly to introduce warmth, transparency, and rhythm.
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Brick-jali screens and pointing brick walls filter light and air, casting ever-changing shadows throughout the day.
The architecture celebrates imperfection and craftsmanship, embracing the marks of manual construction as expressions of authenticity.
Light, Climate & Comfort
Responding to Bangladesh’s tropical climate, Ayna Burir Adar Residence integrates passive cooling and ventilation strategies at every level.
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Thick 12-inch brick walls and modest west-facing openings reduce heat gain while maintaining privacy.
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Large operable windows on opposite façades promote cross-ventilation.
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Pergolas and terrace gardens mitigate solar exposure and create shaded outdoor living areas.
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Terraces and voids allow daylight to penetrate deep into the plan, reducing dependence on artificial lighting.
This interplay of light, air, and texture turns the home into a living organism — adapting fluidly to the climate while nurturing human comfort and sensory awareness.
Cultural Narrative & Contextual Sensitivity
Beyond its material and climatic intelligence, the project holds deep cultural symbolism.
The site itself, once feared as wilderness, is transformed into a sanctuary of domestic life — echoing the courage of “Ayna Buri,” whose lamp once illuminated the forest.
By reinterpreting traditional Bangladeshi elements — courtyard typology, brick texture, voids, and verandas — within a modern framework, Sharal Architects create a home that is both local and contemporary, humble yet profound.
The Ayna Burir Adar Residence by Sharal Architects exemplifies contextual modernism deeply rooted in Bangladeshi identity.
Through its layering of spaces, integration with vegetation, and honest material expression, the home transcends its physical boundaries to become a living narrative of heritage, climate, and family.
It stands as a testament to the enduring dialogue between architecture and nature, memory and modernity — a gentle reminder that meaningful design begins where the earth meets the spirit of home.
