The Still House

A family home in Gulshan that trades the pace of the city for natural oak, muted stone and carefully framed daylight.

Project Overview

The brief was to turn a busy four-bedroom apartment into a home that felt like a pause from the city. Our response focused on a quieter plan, honest materials and controlled daylight, creating a space that slows the family down the moment they arrive.

Location

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Year

2025

Area

280 m²

The Brief

The clients, a family of five, had outgrown a layout of narrow corridors and closed rooms. Daylight reached only the front of the apartment and storage spilled into every surface. They wanted a home that felt open without losing privacy, durable enough for young children and calm enough for long working days. The structure allowed only limited change, so every move had to earn its place within the existing grid.

The Concept

We organised the home around a central oak spine that holds storage, the kitchen and a reading nook. Removing two partition walls let morning light travel deep into the plan, while sliding screens keep the bedrooms private. Circulation now follows the light, from a shaded entrance to a bright living room that opens onto the terrace.

Materials & Details

Natural oak joinery, honed limestone, lime-washed walls and linen curtains form a short, tactile palette. Lighting is layered and low, with concealed strips under shelving and paper pendants above the dining table. Furniture was made by two workshops in Dhaka to fit each alcove precisely.

The Result

The family now spends evenings together in the living room instead of separate rooms. Storage has doubled without adding a single freestanding cabinet, and the home feels larger than its 280 square metres. It is a softer, quieter place to come home to.

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