A towering legacy: Brac University’s vertical campus
The design was inspired by the Sundarbans mangrove forests, which have separate ecosystems above and below the tidal level. The idea was to create two distinct layers making the Academia overlook the Campus Park below
During the July Uprising in Bangladesh, private universities attracted the entire nation's attention, changing our perspectives through the way their students fought against autocracy.
The students of Brac University took bold steps during that time and were met with a heavy-handed police response. According to one of their CSE students, Waseka Nawar Nazifa, it was their new campus that was a lifesaver during this period.
"It was like a fort; the moment we got inside, the structure protected us from the police firing," she said.
And that naturally drew our attention to the design of the campus in Merul Badda.
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The campus's journey began almost 14 years ago, when Wong Mun Summ, the chief architect of the project, came to take a lecture at Brac University, then operating out of temporary campuses in the capital's Mohakhali area.
During this visit, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the founder of Brac University, approached him with a proposal, "Let's get WOHA Architects to design the centralised campus to bring all the students together."
The campus, completed in December 2023, stands on a seven-acre plot by the lake in Merul Badda and the design has brought WOHA the recognition of Bronze Winner for Sustainable Construction at the 2017 LafargeHolcim Awards for Asia Pacific.
The design was inspired by the Bengal Basin's Sundarbans mangrove forests, which have separate ecosystems above and below the tidal level. The strategy was to create two distinct programmatic strata by floating the Academia section above the lake and revealing the Campus Park below, thus reflecting the synergistic coexistence between mankind and mangroves.
This building is special; it is not just about aesthetics or functionality, it's about creating an environment where students thrive. This campus is the legacy of Sir Abed.
The campus is designed to allow fresh air to flow naturally throughout the building, according to Wong Mun Summ. This has been done by adding open pathways, breathable walls and garden terraces. The shape of the building also helps ensure direct airflow to common areas.
Green spaces have been placed both vertically and horizontally, showing how greenery and open spaces can be increased even in a crowded city. The campus can accommodate more than 20,000 students and teachers.
Why go vertical?
One of the most highlighted aspects of the campus is its verticality, an unconventional choice that solves Dhaka's space constraints while enhancing accessibility and mobility. Unlike traditional horizontal campuses that require vast areas of land, in Brac University's case, a vertical campus allows for efficient land use while having all necessary facilities within a compact space.
The idea of a vertical campus was also not merely an architectural choice but a functional necessity.
"We wanted to ensure students were never late," Wong said with a smile.
He recalls that even in 2011, the design was ahead of its time.
"For a city like Dhaka, known for its congested urban landscape, the idea of a vertical campus was revolutionary," he said, adding that the idea was to create an environment where students never feel disconnected, despite the height.
This was achieved by strategically placing common areas, social spaces, and connectivity hubs at different levels, ensuring that students remain engaged and can easily interact with peers and faculty.
"For us, it was crucial that the building was contextual and suited Dhaka's sub-tropical climate. High-rises are common in Singapore, but Dhaka presented a different challenge," Wong said.
The campus needed to be designed to withstand high humidity, heavy monsoons and intense heat, and they wanted the building to be naturally ventilated, which made the project design even more challenging.
The building itself stands 15 storeys tall, occupying just over two hectares of land but encompassing an impressive 160,000 square metres of space, including basement parking.
The environmental consciousness of the design extends to its material choices. Rather than relying on excessive concrete and glass, the campus prioritises greenery.
This design also ensures that every essential facility, from libraries to laboratories, is easily accessible within minutes.
"From the outside, the structure resembles a fortress, solid and imposing, but once inside, it reveals a state-of-the-art educational environment, seamlessly blending nature with technology," Wong mentioned.
"We call these buildings high density and high humanity, as it has everything a student needs within its walls while maintaining an intimate and breathable space," he further said.
A complex circulation system reduces queues and prevents delays in class transitions.
"The escalators and staircases are designed in a way that eliminates long queues for lifts. In a horizontal campus, students might struggle with distance, but here, no classroom is too far," Wong explained.
The entire structure is built to enhance efficiency, ensuring that students can easily navigate between classrooms, lecture theatres, and laboratories without unnecessary delays.
Sustainability was the top priority of the design philosophy. The campus integrates solar panels that generate nearly 40% of its energy needs, and its architecture promotes natural ventilation to reduce reliance on air conditioning.
Wong emphasised, "We wanted to make a campus that breathes. By using natural airflow and maximising daylight, we reduced the building's energy consumption by 70% compared to conventional structures."
The student experience played a vital role in shaping the campus layout too. Open spaces, green terraces, and communal areas were incorporated to encourage interaction and collaboration.
Wong stated, "A university should be more than classrooms and lecture halls. It should be a place where students can gather, exchange ideas, and find inspiration in their surroundings."
This philosophy is reflected in the campus's open spaces, where students can relax, socialise, or engage in extracurricular activities.
Integration of nature
The integration of nature into the campus is evident in its lush green spaces and rooftop gardens, which contribute to its biophilic design.
"We wanted to create an oasis in the heart of Dhaka. The greenery helps regulate temperature, improves air quality, and provides students with a peaceful environment to relax and study in," Wong explained.
Beyond its physical structure, the campus fosters community engagement. The ground level features shops and public spaces designed to integrate with the surrounding neighbourhood.
"Our goal was to ensure that the university contributes positively to its environment," Wong added. "We didn't want to build an isolated institution or to disrupt the existing community, but rather one that coexists with the local community."
The campus also prioritises communal spaces, offering students large, open areas to study, discuss, or simply relax.
"We wanted to create free spaces where even an entire community could gather," Wong added. "We were mindful not to disrupt the local ecosystem, Instead, we designed the ground floor with shops and stalls to support the community, bringing about positive economic change."
Post-construction, the integration was seamless, with the local community thriving alongside the university.
The shading structures ensure comfort in both rain and shine, making the outdoor spaces usable year-round. With a green portion ratio of 130%, a community plot ratio of 250%, and an ecosystem contribution index of 60%, the campus stands as a model of sustainable urban development.
"This building is special; it is not just about aesthetics or functionality, it's about creating an environment where students thrive. This campus is the legacy of Sir Abed," Wong concluded.
