BHATSHALA

CASE STUDY
HOUSE
BHATSHALA
OWNER :

ARCHITECTS FAMILY

HOUSE ARCHITECT:

BASHIRUL HUQ
ARCHITECTS VILLAGE HOME AT
PROJECT INITIATION :
BRAHMANBARIA , BANGLADESH
FEB 1989

PROJ. COMPLETION :
SUMMARY: Bhatshala House within the grandiose entities of Brahmanbaria
is a fine example of responsive architecture and its relative synthesis with the DEC 1989
surrounding dimensions. Weather analysis and its effects on the existing
structure depicts the successful evaluation of proper comfort zones in relation TOTAL BUILT AREA :
to the local climatic contexts. To understand the spatial climate variables
within and outside the structure, AUTODESK ECOTECT and weather data file
1592 SFT
from USGS has been used

Tawhid Mustafa COST :

sajib71@yahoo.com.

TK 395,000

KEYWORDS: indoor
environment, thermal
building simulation, solar
study,
Prevailing Wind
simulation, relative
connection.
1
1. Introduction
Bhatshala House, a spec of crimson shade in the
midst of serene rural fields, in other words the village
residence of Architect Bashirul Haq, while blending in
spontaneously with its context is an ingenious example
of ecofriendly vernacular architecture. An uthan
(courtyard) is semi enclosed on its north and western
borders by facades of sun baked bricks which reflects
the traditional approach in local homesteads forming
around a courtyard. The existing plinth forms an L-
shaped base negotiating with the arched columns
formed of bricks supporting the R.C.C roof.
Immediately following the arched columns is the
corridor in common with the primary functions of the
house. This circulation space acts as a thermal buffer
in the preceding rooms. The diffuse character of the
plan makes the indoor environments react comfortably
with the humid climates outside (further explained in
Interior/Exterior temperature analysis).This has been
further accentuated by having wooden louvered
windows and doors alongside the rooms.

Situated in the Brahmanbaria district this place lies in

the east central region of Bangladesh at
23°53'49.25"N, 91°10'5.29"E. The geography of the
district is characterized by low-lying land with small hills and hillocks of red soil. Annual highest average
temperature is 34.3 °C and lowest 12.7 °C. Total annual rainfall is around 2551 mm.

2. Description of the building construction

The building has exposed brick facades with a combination of arched and rectangular linear openings. It is a load
st
bearing structure on the ground floor which continues up until a portion of the 1 floor. The load bearing walls are
primarily laid by Flemish bonds with reinforcement at regular intervals. The first floor is quite diffused in nature
which is shaded relatively with Corrugated sheets resting on wooden piers or structure . The gabled sheets form
an angle of 25 deg with the horizontal axis. Reinforcements are provided which runs through rcc slabs to the
brick walls over which the wooden piers are bolted on.
2
3. Analyzing the thermal conditions

As the weather data for for Brahmanbaria is not yet (as of

2012) available, datas from weather stations at Dhaka
Tejgaon has been used due to its relatively closer distance
then other stations DHAKA/TEJGAON_(MIL) , BGD . The
data file is used to retrieve local variables for solar radiation,
wind speed, rain and air pressure and temperature with the
help of WEATHER TOOL (ECOTECT). As this analysis
report resorts to simulation results there are some
unpredictable deviations which should be accounted for in
formulating an assumption.

In order to get additional information like

influence of thermal buffers, materials, wind
vortex etc whole building simulations were
carried out. For the simulation of the thermal
behavior the software tool AUTODESK
ECOTECT is used. The building is separated
into several zones with a perfect air exchange
along most of the openings. The corridor has
been accounted as a separate thermal zone as
this affects the consecutive rooms in a
significant manner.

Charts on the following page depicts respective climatic variable in the existing surroundings.
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4
5
6
7
8
From the chart some days in particular can be retrieved which provides a satisfactory timeframe for
running the simulation, which mentioned below-

Hottest Day (Peak): 9th September

Hottest Day (AVG) : 10th June

Coldest Day (Peak): 8th January

Coldest Day (AVG): 8th January

Brightest Sunny Day: 10th October

Most Overcast Day : 15th June

Strongest Wind Gust: 17th February

Least Windy Day : 14th January

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SIMULATION RESULTS
Hottest Day (Peak): PAGE 11

Hottest Day (AVG) : PAGE 16

Coldest Day (Peak): PAGE 21

Brightest Sunny Day: PAGE 26

Most Overcast Day : PAGE 30

Strongest Wind Gust: PAGE 33

Wind Simulation : PAGE 35

10
9th SEPTEMBER RADIANT TEMPERATURE AT GROUND LEVEL

9 AM

12 PM

3 PM
11
 9AM

12 PM

3PM
12

SHADOW STUDY AT 9TH SEPTEMBER

 9AM

12 PM

3 PM

Perspective shadow study from the court at 9th September

13
 9th September Corridor temperature analysis, Ground Floor

9th September Bed Room temperature analysis, Ground Floor

14
 9th September Living Room temperature analysis, Ground Floor

There is a rise in temperature on the living room in morning compared to the Bedroom and corridor
because of the eastern exposure accentuated by glare from the court.

9th September Bedroom temperature analysis, 1st Floor

15
10TH JUNE RADIANT TEMPERATURE AT GROUND LEVEL

9AM

12 PM

3 PM

The stair room helps to absorb a substantial amount of heat thus

keeping the Bedroom temperature lower.

16
 7AM

12 PM

3:30PM

SHADOW STUDY AT 10TH JUNE

17
 8 AM

12 PM

3:30 PM

Perspective shadow study from the court and Northern side at 10th June

It has to be noted at June the azimuth angle of sun reaches 65.5 deg to -65.7 deg therefore illuminating
18

the northern facades .

10th June Corridor temperature analysis ground floor

10th June Living Room temperature analysis ground floor

19
 10th June Corridor temperature analysis . 1st Floor

10th June Bedroom temperature analysis, 1st floor

At 10th june the sun reaches a northerly tilt as it travels down the horizon, therefore the living room
receives greater radiation in the morning , causing an increase in temperature.
20
8TH JANUARY RADIANT TEMPERATURE AT GROUND LEVEL

9AM

3PM

10PM
21
 9AM

12 PM

3 PM

SHADOW STUDY AT 8TH JANUARY

22
9 am

12 PM

3 PM
23
 8th January Corridor temperature analysis . Ground Floor

8th January Living room temperature analysis, Ground Floor

24
 8th January Bedroom temperature analysis. 1st Floor

According to the radiant temperature simulation, the corridor plays a significant part in winter affecting
the surrounding rooms conserve its energy. At night the ground floor living room and Bedroom stays
warmer than the corridor (page 20, 10pm), and in the morning the reverse is observed.

25
10TH OCTOBER RADIANT TEMPERATURE AT GROUND LEVEL

26
 9AM

12PM

3PM

SHADOW STUDY AT 10TH OCTOBER

27
10th October Corridor temperature analysis, Ground Floor

10th October Living Room temperature analysis, Ground Floor

28
 10th October Bedroom temperature analysis, 1st Floor

10th October is statistically the brightest day on average (weather data file , Dhaka/TEJGAON) during
this time the 1st floor bedroom receives the most radiation, consecutively wind simulation (pg. 37)
shows funneling around the corner of this bedroom therefore the cool off after 1:30 PM.
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15TH JUNE RADIANT TEMPERATURE AT GROUND LEVEL

8AM

12 PM

4PM
30
 8AM

12PM

3PM

SHADOW STUDY AT 15TH JUNE

31
 15th June Corridor temperature analysis, Ground floor

On june the sun reaches a rare phenomenon on this country as it reaches a northerly tilt as it attempts
the horizon, the corridor at this time is mostly shaded and with the prevailing winds is becomes
significantly cooler. This corridor acts a buffer for affecting the temperature of other rooms.

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17 FEBRUARY RADIANT TEMPERATURE AT GROUND LEVEL

33
17th February Corridor temperature analysis, ground floor

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35
Wind data shows there is a strong south easterly wind during the month of June therefore a simulation
is done using June/July data with an average speed of 1.2 to 8 m/s which is shown below.

at 1’6”
36
at 3’

at 11’
37
 at 16’

Wind data shows at the ground floor there is a funneling around the north western side of the house
pulling in the southern winds through the corridor.
38
During winter the wind vector changes from south to north, therefore in January there is a northerly
wind at random intervals, a simulation is run with a speed of .5 to 4 m/s at this time.

at 3’
39
 at 16’

Diagram showing the funneling created at the first floor which travels out through the bedroom
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CONCLUSION:

It has to be noted that there are inaccuracies due to the slight shift in geographic location from where
the weather data file are indexed. Still regardless of the deviations some very interesting phenomena is
observed in this hypothetical simulation. Such as the corridor acting as thermal buffer during the month
of October (hot) and January (cold). In January the living room stays warmer accentuated by the
corridor. The stair room also help to reduce a major portion of radiant heat from reaching the bedrooms.

During the month of June, as the sun reaches an azimuth angle of 65° the living room receives greater
radiation during the morning while rapidly cooling off after 12 PM, compared to the outside temperature.
Most of the rooms are relatively cooler then outside temperature during day time and warmer during the
night. The uthan (courtyard) does seem to radiate substantial glare at morning thus increasing the
temperature of the living room when the sun travels from east to south azimuth angles. Although this
happens in a relatively lesser frequency, the actual site has substantial vegetation coverage to reduce
this glare. This wasn’t accounted in this simulation.

In summer time when there is a slight south easterly wind it funnels in through the corridor beside
ground floor living room and Bedroom. There some random gusts generated from the north western
side which travels back and forth through the main corridors.
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