Archarium: A studio built on memories, rooted in nature

When you walk into Archarium, an architecture studio designed by principal architect and co-founder Nazirul Asif himself, you can't help but want to stop and slow down. Sunlight gently streams in through the floor to ceiling windows, and beyond it, is a beautiful view of a lake. 

However, to feel one with nature, you do not even have to look out the window, as greenery engulfs every inch of the space. With the towering windows and the abundance of greenery, it almost feels like you're standing in a terrarium. 

Located in South Badda, the 1,100 square feet space brings together a cosy vibe and functionality, along with the architect's childhood memories in the form of a work space. 

Before Archarium, when architect Nazirul had first looked at the space, it was only a bare rooftop. However, architect Nazirul and co-founder Rabbi Hasan knew from the get-go that they wanted to create a space that felt like home. 

"I didn't want to create an environment where my team members feel like they're working a traditional nine to five, or worry about clocking in their attendance," said architect Nazirul. 

He continues, "I wanted them to feel comfortable when they came to the office, and to do that, you can't purely focus on functionality. There has to be a balance between function and a zen feeling."

To bring this zen feeling out, Nazirul tapped into his childhood memories and fleshed them out in the studio. 

His memories of reading go all the way back to when he was just a boy. Surrounded by bookworms in his family, there was no doubt that he would fall in love with the words of beloved writers such as Satyajit Ray. His collection was built with books passed down from his father and brother, and slowly these books became a true treasure trove of literature. 

Many of the plants have been with Nazirul for around 10-15 years.

However, with time, these novels inevitably begin to whither away. 

Nazirul decided to give these books a second life while also paying homage to his love for literature through architecture. 

"I created a coffee table and encased the books with glass in the table. I also framed them like art pieces on the walls of the studio," shared Nazirul. 

The sentimental pieces, however, do not stop at just the books.

"Many of the plants here have been with me for around 10-15 years. I took care of them myself all this time, and now they're my everyday companions at work. They're small parts of myself," shared the architect.

Additionally, the architect holds very fond memories of his home, which was accompanied by a traditional courtyard, with a huge mango tree towering over it. That is why, despite having his studio on the second floor, he created his own courtyard.

In fact, each surface of the Archarium holds a bit of history. As a firm believer of sustainability, architect Nazirul made sure to upcycle each component of the studio. From windows to doors—each piece dates back 60 to 80 years. 

Furthermore, as the roof of the space is slanted, it helps him collect rainwater to water plants. During rainy days, Nazirul shared that he doesn't even have to turn the tap on, the rainwater is sufficient.

Every single detail of this space feels like a conscious decision.

Sunlight gently streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"We all know that we have already destroyed the planet and in the context of Bangladesh, we are doomed. However, being an architect and human being, the types of materials we use are important as carbon emission is a huge issue," said Nazirul.

"There is already so much that is polluting the environment, so why should I add to that? Even if the action is small, I think these baby steps are important. Maybe I'm not changing the world but I am still contributing to change."

In an age of skyscrapers and cookie-cutter homes, where efficiency trumps all, we have forgotten that beauty has utility too. 

Archarium's aesthetics feel like a fierce rebellion with its soft beauty. The studio's design does not only evoke a sense of warmth and belonging but also serves a practical purpose.

The floor to ceiling windows that almost encompass the space are beautiful as well as functional. Tactfully placed windows allow for cross ventilation, cooling down the space instantly. The windows have in fact almost eliminated their need for air conditioners. 

Furthermore, instead of traditional curtains, the architect has opted for removable frames of fabric.

Instead of traditional curtains, the architect has opted for fabric frames that can be removed.

"The best part about fabric is that when daylight streams in the space, the fabric softens it, allowing for the perfect distribution of light. It doesn't create the glare on screens that direct sunlight would, while also illuminating the space throughout the day. It also acts as a cover for privacy," said Nazirul.

Additionally, the fabric texture provides a soft juxtaposition to the cool, cement floors and the bare brick wall. A piece of cloth is also placed in the ceiling of the entryway to allow sunlight to filter in, letting the place glow from within. The ceiling itself contributes significantly to keep the rooftop space cool amidst the burning heat. 

Within the 14-foot-high space, a false ceiling was installed, leaving a one-foot gap. The final layer being a thatch roof made from bamboo, this addition grounds the aesthetic in nature while also being a key tool to maintaining temperature. 

"Right above is a tin ceiling, which is terrible in terms of trapping heat. Aside from my love for natural materials, bamboo is a natural heat absorber," shared Nazirul.

"I sourced old bamboo and had local artisans create thatch to use as a false ceiling. Within the one-foot gap, air flows and cools down the place naturally. The rest of the heat that seeps in is absorbed by the bamboo."

Similar to the ceiling, the floor also plays an important role in the space. As the architect blurs the lines between "inside" and "outside" with lush greenery indoors, the concrete floors also serve as an extension of the outside seeping in. Moreover, these floors help to cool the space down, combating the fierce summer heat. 

Aside from Nazirul's personal inclination towards the earthy aesthetics of concrete, the floor absorbs all the water that may have spilled over from watering plants within a few minutes, leaving an earthy fragrance, similar to the scent that comes right after a rainy day.

Inspired by memories of his childhood courtyard and its towering mango tree, the architect recreated his own—this time on the second floor.

Perhaps one of the most standout aspects of Archarium is its rotating sofa and the light fixture over it. 

Since space in the studio is limited, adding too many pieces of furniture wasn't an option. However, arranging the sofa proved tricky—with the workstation on one side and the view on the other, no placement felt quite right. That is why Nazirul created the rotating sofa, allowing you direct view of the work place, lake view, and the multimedia area. 

The light fixture is another interesting aspect of the studio, another handmade piece by Nazirul and Rabbi. The piece being made of only metal pieces and masking tape, it easily blends in with the space's soft yet sophisticated design. 

With many of the materials being personal items and upcycled material, Nazirul shared that this helped to cut down on costs by a significant margin, making it quite affordable. Archarium is a living and breathing proof that sustainability is accessible, as long as you care about the environment.