DESCO HQ, Bangladesh

DESCO intends to project a certain corporate power or an expression of a large organization through its history, identity, operations technicality etc. and as a whole needs to be established as an emblem of reliability, efficiency through dedicated service which the headquarter is thought to behold. At the same time the context has certain spatial, structural & planning aspects which the design intends to explore .so the exterior envelope is anticipated to be a rather stark, humble & simple expression in way that unifies all the different levels of working strata to be streamlined. Also the design considers residential zones & other built-forms next to the site to be occasionally screened. If Arrangement of various functions strategically can be improved, then working conditions would enhance even future generations of workforces of DESCO. Nevertheless an extra 25,000 sft space is dedicated for future expansions. Materials & planning system ensures that the project can be tentatively constructed within the stipulated budget also.

so eventually the architectural transformation of DESCO   office as an entity & organization primarily intends to accommodate a  rather elaborate program to fit in a  way that the typical office functions can be distributed  both in terms of floor planning  efficiency & vertical zoning appropriateness, thus having a clear expression of an inviting  & climatically responsive architectural  solution  . The formal expression of the building actually derives from that rigor. The planning idea for office spaces was to at first allocate more partitioned spaces to the perimeter in a way so that they do not conflict with the openness of office spaces .the building has built forms in south & north so fenestrations are moderated accordingly

Vertically spaces are distributed so that spaces that need to be column free can be structurally strategically located so load distribution can be channeled in a way that loads are minimized over transfer girders. Each office floor has its designated meeting & conference area & is positioned in a way to limit public access to the rather interior spaces of the office. The main façade of the building is made intentionally angular to reduce direct solar heat gain from east as the façade becomes more north faced. Also the angular surface opens more view from inside office & other spaces to overlook the podium top gardens & terraces. The podium top would be a vibrant space overlooked from the main spaces as well as accommodating other informal activities. The glazing system is anticipated to be laminated glass with special features to have low thermal transmission. Also the vertical glass stiffeners will be used in the external surface to serve both structural glazing issues and also give a textured surface that would increase the effect of heat & glare controlling of the building. In future screens, lattices, pneumatically controlled cushions or other kinds of active solar control mechanisms may be introduced based on aesthetic & functional factors that meet the budget and meet practical maintenance requirements.

The basement is a straightforward parking arrangement that accommodates recycling facilities. the entrance from the ground floor has functions as café, kiosks  etc. entrance to the building is made lofty enough to facilitate public movement .A small atrium amid the tight program lights the entrance space below where a pair of escalators take the users of multipurpose hall from ground floor to the 1^st floor pre function area. The podium top would facilitate rich experience as users would spill out from adjacent spaces for informal events also. Each floor has a service connection dedicated with dumb waiters & kitchenettes.  The SCADA system in the top floor would get minimum access of general public & only specialized personnel can access with metal raised floor system that would take care of all wiring required.