Architect Mustapha Khalid Palash has warned people not to visit the 14-storey Gausia Twin Peak building, which he designed, located on Satmasjid Road in Dhanmondi citing it as a fire-prone restaurant building.
Khalid wrote on his Facebook page on Friday (1 March) that the Gausia Twin Peak was originally planned as a commercial building, but the owner has now converted it into a fire-prone restaurant building by removing fire exits, utilizing stairs as storage rooms, and placing gas cylinders here and there.
Architect Khalid brought this issue to the public's attention after architect Tariqul Lovelu questioned the fire safety of the Gausia Twin Peak building by posting a photo on Facebook in the aftermath of the Bailey Road fire, which so far claimed the lives of 46 people.
The Gausia Twin Peak has more than 10 restaurants and eateries.
Khalid wrote, “Though designed and approved as a commercial building, it has been completely converted into a fire-prone restaurant building with major disruptions to its use. The last authority given by RAJUK to an architect to sign the report for the occupancy certificate has not been adhered to here. The business is operating without obtaining the occupancy certificate.”
“The building is being used in violation of the rules. So, as an architect, refraining from providing reports and edge-built drawings, I have repeatedly warned the landowner and the developer through written messages, but no fruitful progress has been made,” he penned.
Expressing his distress, he wrote, “My pleas have repeatedly failed with the money-grubbers. If I ask the developer, the response is whether they have a fire license. How is that possible? If I request a copy, they remain silent.”
“They were also informed that if proper measures are not taken, a complaint will be filed with the authorities concerned as the architect of the building,” he continued.
The architect wrote that he had informed the stationmaster of the fire service department in the area and a former DG of the Fire Service and Civil Defence last month about his concerns.
“As far as I know, the fire safety condition has gradually degraded horribly. Fire doors have been removed, the fire stair is being used as storerooms, and gas cylinders are kept everywhere,” Khalid concluded.
In response to Khalid's post, Samiya Hoque Monisha shared her experience of using the stairs in the Gausia Twin Peak building. She wrote, “Sir, some of my friends and I were just talking about this building yesterday. We have been there a couple of times. The last time we visited, the lifts were full, and we had a rush, so we took the stairs. However, the whole stairwell was turned into storage by the restaurant owners, and some parts of it were even turned into extensions of their kitchens. We had to jump over boxes and furniture to come down. We were really scared that day; what if there's a fire! It's alarming!
“Such an architectural marvel, but it's a death trap inside because of poor maintenance. What can an architect do?” She questioned.
Mustapha Khalid Palash was an assistant professor at BUET. He founded his own office, Vistaara Architects, in 1998. After leaving BUET, Palash has been teaching as a visiting faculty member at several universities.
Among his architectural masterpieces, Grameenphone Corporate Headquarters, Bashundhara City, The Westin Dhaka, Peoples Insurance Bhaban, Lab Aid Cardiac Hospital, Banglalink Head Office, Robi Headquarters, Siaam Tower, SPL Western Tower, Abdul Monem Business District, Delvistaa Building, and Radisson BLU Bay View Hotel Chittagong are noteworthy.