On January 31, 2016 the class of Design Studio VI of The Department of Architecture made a trip to Eastern Bank Head office and Grameen Phone Centre (GP House), Dhaka. To experience and learn more about high-rise buildings: their structure, spaces and functional systems, the tour was organized and led by the project architect and part-time faculty member of AIUB, Mustapha Khalid Palash along with course teachers Irfat Alam and Hasnun Wara Khondker.

The students made their first stop at the Eastern Bank (EBL) Head Office at Gulshan, where they got the chance to explore how a high-rise building functions in terms of its structure, vertical circulation, HVAC and electrical system, fire safety measures, façade details and site design. They also got the opportunity to hear from the renowned architect of our country, Mustapha Khalid Palash regarding his design experience of this building.

The students then visited the Grameen Phone Centre Building (GP House) at Bashundhara, which is considered as a sustainable Eco-building. Students got the advantage to physically experience a new paradigm of more contemporary, climate and socially responsive designed building in Bangladesh. They were also shown a presentation on the design principles and functional system of the GP house that helped them gain a better understanding of how this building operates efficiently.

For arranging such an amazing learning experience for the students, the Department extends its profound thanks to the management of EBL Head Office and Grameen Phone Centre for their support & hospitality and AIUB administration for providing the administrative support as always.