Imagine being able to spend a peaceful evening with your loved ones in the middle of Dhaka’s hectic city life, where indoor and outdoor areas flow together to form a kid-friendly environment. And now, in O’play, it’s all come to life.
O’Play A playful combination of colours and spaces
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Grounded in Wellness: The Story Behind Svadha
Over the past decade, Bangladesh’s spa and salon culture has gone through a quiet but striking revolution. The once-flashy, first-service catered parlours have given way to curated wellness havens that prioritize experience over gimmicks. From Faux-Thai facades, a new design language is emerging. At the forefront of this transformation is Svadha, the country’s first salon to fully integrate Ayurveda into its core philosophy. But it’s not just their services that set them apart, it’s the atmosphere. Their aesthetic blends the royalty of Mughal architecture with the earthy soul of Marrakesh, creating a space that feels both grounded and luxurious. Svadha is a family-led vision brought to life by Rumjhum Fattah, her brother, Md Golam Rezwan, and sister-in-law, Behtarin Chowdhury Ridma. While the trio has long been a part of Bangladesh’s RMG sector, Svadha marks their first foray into the world of beauty and wellness, and they’re doing it on their terms. The name Svadha, derived from Sanskrit, beautifully translates to “self-care” and “self-love”—an ethos that defines everything the brand stands for. “At Svadha, we’re not here to sell beauty or grooming services,” says Rumjhum. “We’re here to create a space where people can slow down, tune in, and prioritize their well-being.” Svadha is located in the heart of Gulshan Avenue and comprises a total area of around 3300 square feet. The interior, designed by the creative minds at Studio R.A.R., is a visual and sensory ode to stillness, grounding, and mindful indulgence. “Svadha is a true embodiment of peace and tranquillity,” shares co-founder Behtarin Chowdhury Ridma. “From the lounge to the treatment rooms, we wanted every inch to feel like a retreat, where the stress of daily life simply melts away. To achieve that, we explored a palette of earthy tones and tactile, natural materials.” She pointed out that most salons in the city are built around speed and efficiency, often at the expense of comfort. “Everything is so fast-paced—walk in, get the service, walk out. There’s hardly ever a moment to truly unwind,” she reflected. At Svadha, the philosophy is deliberately different. The space is intentionally kept open and airy, avoiding unnecessary partitions or a heavy-handed layout. “We wanted to let the space breathe, just like our clients,” she added. There are no false ceilings or forced divisions; instead, the design embraces fluidity, allowing natural light and movement to flow freely. Catering to working women, Svadha brands itself as a wellness retreat. “Our clients come not just to look good, but to feel good. After long hours at work, they deserve to be unrushed, cared for, and truly pampered.” Drawing inspiration from Moroccan and Indian architectural traditions, the space features intricately carved wooden mirror frames, classic oil lamps, and a striking antique doorway that sets the tone from the moment you enter. A gentle water fountain hums in the background, further enhancing the atmosphere of calm. “We wanted to infuse the space with elements of nature and its calming rhythms,” shared Rumjhum. “The water fountain, placed thoughtfully within the layout, is a quiet homage to that intention, a gentle nod to movement and serenity. Throughout the space, you will find indoor plants too” Lighting, too, was carefully curated to complement this ambiance. There’s a deliberate avoidance of harsh, bright lights. Most areas are bathed in soft, ambient illumination, dimmed and mellow to encourage relaxation. However, in zones like the makeup and hair stations, where precision is key, the lighting is thoughtfully intensified to ensure clarity without disrupting the overall calm. One of the standout features of the salon is the textured wall next to the reception where the metal brand name is hung. There is also a graffiti wall, commissioned by a Fine Art student of Dhaka University where Mughal-themed flowers are painted. Every piece of furniture in the salon has been custom-crafted in-house. Each zone has been thoughtfully planned to serve its specific purpose, whether it’s a quiet waiting lounge, a private treatment room, or a styling station. Every detail, down to the custom-built furniture, typography on the walls, and curated lighting reflects Svadha’s vision of a wellness destination that feels both intimate and elegant. Written by Kaniz F Supriya
Basking in Rome’s Sun In Dhaka
Residing in a quiet corner in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, one can find a mini-Europe as soon as s/he spots Raffinato. “Raffinato Ristorante Italiano” – just by seeing the name, one can already sense its Italian essence. At the first glance, I noticed a cozy, two-story white house with an L-shaped stairway leading to a small balcony, which gave more of a European home vibe.
The Art of Playful Design A Look Inside BRAC University’s Child-Centric Sanctuary
A new chapter in early childhood care begins with the opening of the second BRAC University Daycare Centre, located in the vibrant Badda Campus of BRAC University, Dhaka. This thoughtfully designed facility serves as a sanctuary for children up to eight years old, offering a nurturing environment that prioritizes safety and development. Designed by Dwm4 Intrends, with an enchanting lighting scheme from Miro Lighting, the daycare centre is a dynamic and imaginative world where play, learning, and exploration intertwine, creating a joyful space for the children. A Palette of Softness and Imagination The daycare’s core design philosophy is built on a foundation of softness and playfulness. The space is defined by a serene Scandinavian colour palette of pastel shades—soft pinks, blues, and greens—that create a calming and inviting atmosphere. This selection of soft hues was a conscious decision to create a tranquil environment where children feel secure and at ease. Central to the design, this concept is also considered in all edges and volumes and is evident in the custom-made modular furniture, which features rounded edges to prevent bruises and generously cushioned surfaces for comfort. Thoughtful Zoning for a Comfortable Experience The daycare’s layout is thoughtfully divided into two primary zones: public and private. The public zone serves as a welcoming entry point for parents, where mothers can drop off their kids, change their clothes, or feed them. This area features an ergonomically designed washroom with sinks and toilets at child-friendly heights. The private zone is the heart of the daycare. It features a common activity area for all kids—a dynamic space for interaction, play, and learning. Adjacent to this is a sound-insulated nap room, a peaceful sanctuary exclusively for toddlers. This segregated room ensures a quiet and restful environment for sleep, with secure storage above the beds for personal belongings. This approach prioritises the comfort of children while ensuring that parents experience a sense of security and peace of mind. Materials in Design That Engage and Inspire The interiors reflect a calm design approach that is both impressive and functional. The vinyl floors are a durable choice, providing a soft, child-friendly surface that is easy to maintain. The walls are adorned with CNC-cut plywood cutouts that form geometric origami-style animals, such as giraffes and kangaroos, adding a unique texture and depth to the space. A notable feature of interior design is the vertical rock-climbing wall made from panels with child-friendly grips. This equipment helps the young children develop strength through adventurous play and is designed for those aged 4.5 years and older. This interactive design maximises floor space for other activities while promoting physical activity and overall development. When integrating an indoor climbing wall into a playroom, the child’s developmental stages and sensory needs were well-considered to ensure a stimulating and safe environment. Architect Daniel Haque shares, “Children at this age have a lot of curiosity and love to learn from playful shapes, so several playful interactive elements were incorporated in the design.” Overhead, snowflakes on the ceiling and house-shaped shelves on the walls introduce a sense of whimsy and also serve as visual cues to guide children. For hands-on learning, a pair of yellow, popsicle-shaped whiteboards is placed strategically, offering a fun way for children to express their creativity and learn. The pencil-shaped steel columns and child-sized furniture are used throughout the space, including a specially designed sofa that draws inspiration from the iconic “La Mamma” piece near the entrance, scaled down to suit the proportions of young children. The “La Mamma” furniture concept, also known as “Big Mama” or “Donna,” refers to Gaetano Pesce’s Up armchair. This iconic piece, introduced in 1969, is characterised by its distinctive shape and was initially made of foam. The armchair’s design has become a symbol of design and feminism, and a modern design classic. Prioritising Safety in Every Detail Safety was the number one priority throughout the design process. Architect Daniel Haque emphasises, “Special consideration was taken to soften all the edges; there’s no sharp corner here. Every edge has been wrapped with fabric. All switches and sockets are also placed above children’s height so that they can’t access them.” The furniture, floor, and wall materials were all selected with durability and safety in mind, proving that a playful and beautiful design can be achieved without compromising on security. This vibrant daycare was effectively designed by the lead architectural team of Mamnoon M. Chowdhury, Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad, Daniel Haque, and Md. Arifur Rahman. They worked in close association with architects Hasib Rehan and Md. Raduan Ahmed, and the construction was executed by Ar. Arifuzzaman Khan, Engr. Md. Omor Faruque, and Engr. Md. Tareq Rana, to create a practical environment specifically designed to meet the needs of young children. Written By Samira Ahsan