Dhaka’s real estate story isn’t just a tale of square feet and glass facades.

In Bangladesh, when people talk about pollution, it’s rarely about what’s inside their homes.

Purchasing an apartment in Bangladesh, particularly in urban centres like Dhaka, is a significant financial commitment. While the listed price per square foot is the most visible cost, numerous additional expenses can substantially increase the total outlay. Understanding these hidden costs is crucial for prospective buyers to budget effectively and avoid unexpected financial strain.

Modern residential architecture is undergoing a global transformation, shaped by environmental priorities, technological advances, and evolving cultural values.

A conversation with Saiqa Iqbal Meghna, internationally acclaimed architect recognised by TIME’s World’s Greatest Places, Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture, BRAC University, and Director & Partner at Studio Morphogenesis Ltd.

The Daily Star (TDS): Tell us about your journey into sustainable construction. Where did it all begin?

The Daily Star (TDS): What makes KY Two Tone’s housing solution more sustainable compared to traditional construction methods?

In Dhaka, a 900-square-foot flat is now considered a luxury. With rents soaring and every square inch worth its weight in gold, we’re all trying to do the impossible: fit our full lives into half the space. The good news? You can make your home look and feel bigger, without knocking down walls or knocking out your savings.

A home office is a designated workspace in your home where you focus on professional tasks, such as working on a computer, laptop, or other office equipment.

Walk into a newly renovated apartment or café in Dhaka, and chances are, you’ll spot a cane chair by the window, a nakshi kantha throw draped over a couch, or a cluster of earthenware lining the shelves.

The country’s climate oscillates between scorching summer temperatures, torrential monsoon rains and relatively mild winters, each phase presenting distinct challenges. Without careful planning and timely intervention, even well-established properties can suffer from accelerated wear, diminished value and compromised habitability.

Energy efficiency is the process of using less energy to achieve the same desired result.

In the sprawling, ever-expanding metropolis of Dhaka, where over 20 million people live within a congested urban sprawl, one crisis grows as visibly and relentlessly as the city itself: waste.

Cumilla, the historic city on the banks of the Gomati river, with roots stretching back to the ancient Tripura kingdom, has long been an important regional hub. The ruins of Mainamati, just west of the city, bear witness to Cumilla’s prominence as an administrative and cultural centre from the 6th to 13th centuries CE.

Urban gardening and balcony farming are rapidly redefining the urban landscape in Bangladesh, offering an innovative response to the complex challenges of food security, environmental degradation, and limited agricultural space.

For many prospective homeowners, finding the right flat or apartment is a complex journey.

Air pollution remains one of the most severe public health challenges of our time, ranking among the leading global causes of illness, disability, and premature death.

The Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) now mandates rainwater harvesting for all new buildings constructed on plots larger than 300 square metres, marking a significant regulatory shift towards water-conscious development.

It is impossible to ignore. Glass panels reflect the ever-changing sky, towering steel structures stand resolute, and a grand atrium welcomes visitors with a sense of limitless possibility.

Did you know that the average person spends about 6.5 hours a day sitting at a desk, yet only 3 of those hours are actually productive? According to researchers, one of the biggest culprits behind this productivity gap is the environment itself.