Exterior Design

Definition and Scope: Focuses on building exteriors, landscapes, and outdoor areas for harmony, durability, curb appeal, and functionality, including facades, gardens, and hardscapes in Bangladesh's tropical climate.

Site Evaluation: Analyze topography, climate, soil conditions, existing vegetation, and regulations (e.g., zoning, historic guidelines, HOA rules, BNBC standards).

• Sub-step: Conduct surveys for drainage, sunlight exposure, environmental impacts, and flood risks common in Bangladesh's delta regions.

Client Collaboration: Define goals like facade modernization, energy efficiency improvements, or creating outdoor living spaces such as patios or pools, tailored to Bangladeshi lifestyles.

• Sub-step: Gather inspiration from client preferences, photos, or site-specific needs, incorporating cultural elements like courtyard designs.

Conceptual Designs: Develop sketches, digital models, and renderings for facades, materials (e.g., brick, stucco, metal cladding, hollow bricks, AAC blocks), color schemes, and architectural features (windows, roofing).

• Sub-step: Use 3D software to visualize changes and simulate seasonal effects, including monsoon resistance.

Sustainability Integration: Incorporate green roofs, solar panels, rain gardens, permeable paving to minimize runoff and environmental impact, aligning with Bangladesh's climate action roadmap.

• Sub-step: Aim for certifications like ENERGY STAR for energy savings, using local materials like bamboo for eco-friendliness.

Landscaping Elements: Combine hardscapes (patios, walkways, retaining walls) with softscapes (plants, trees, lawns), favoring native species for low maintenance and biodiversity.

• Sub-step: Plan for irrigation systems, lighting, and seasonal planting, considering Bangladesh's wet seasons and native flora like mango trees or water lilies.

Execution Phase: Handle permitting, material sourcing, contractor management, and structural engineering reviews for safety and compliance with BNBC.

• Sub-step: Sequence work to minimize disruption, starting with major elements like roofing, using local suppliers for steel, cement, and ceramics.

Safety and Functionality: Add pathway lighting, security features (e.g., cameras, gates), and accessible elements like ramps, ensuring earthquake and cyclone resilience per local codes.

• Sub-step: Ensure weather resistance with proper sealing and materials, vital in cyclone-prone areas.

Benefits: Increases resale value (up to 20%), reduces utility costs through better insulation, enhances outdoor usability for entertainment or relaxation in Bangladesh's warm climate.

Styles: Contemporary with clean lines, rustic with natural stone, or traditional with ornate details; trends include low-maintenance xeriscaping and smart home exteriors like automated gates.

• Sub-step: Blend modern tech with traditional Bangladeshi architecture, such as tin roofs or brick jali screens.

Costs and ROI: From BDT 20,000 (basic updates) to BDT 300,000+ (full overhauls); ROI from energy savings and aesthetic appeal, with material costs like cement at market rates.

• Sub-step: Break down costs for materials (40%), labor (30%), and design (20%), using affordable local options like hollow bricks.

Maintenance: Provide plans for seasonal tasks like gutter cleaning, pruning, and sealing to maintain longevity amid heavy rains.

Timeline: 2-6 months, with planning (1 month), design (1-2 months), and construction (1-3 months), factoring in permit times from RAJUK.

Customization: Tailored for homes, offices, or public spaces, considering local climate and user needs like shaded areas for heat relief.

Weatherproofing: Apply advanced sealants, insulation, and durable materials for all-season performance, addressing humidity and flooding.

Inspection and Assessment: Initial checks for structural issues, followed by phased implementations like roof or siding replacement, compliant with vulnerability assessments for natural hazards.

Local Trends and Innovations: Emphasize climate-resilient designs with elevated structures; use sustainable materials like recycled steel to reduce import costs.

• Sub-step: Integrate smart elements like solar lighting, gaining popularity in Bangladesh.