The Dhaka University (DU) authorities are constructing a 10-storey building for the Mathematics department on a design, which experts termed as awful architecture, reports UNB.

'AF Mujibur Rahman Mathematics Building', funded by Mujibur Rahman Foundation, is being constructed in front of DU gymnasium with 10,000 square feet space on each floor at an initial cost of Tk 260 million (26 crore).

But renowned architects and experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have expressed the opinion that the "awful" design on which the construction works have started should be changed in the interest of the university as well as the country.

"If this building is constructed in any other place, I won't say anything. But any building on this important location must be architecturally sustainable for the university," former Vice Chancellor of BUET Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury told the news agency.

Professor Chowdhury, who is currently the VC of BRAC University, termed the present design for the building "completely awful."

He also said that the exterior of the building was not attractive and the interior was functionally awful. Still there is time to change the design and to replace it with a modern and sustainable one.

Earlier, a 10-member technical committee on building construction and repair led by the then DU VC Professor SMA Faiz approved the design. The design saw slight modification later, but not scrapped as recommended by the experts.

Dean of Architecture and Planning of BUET Professor Khaleda Rashid, also a member of the technical committee said, "When I saw the design, I opposed. But other committee members told me that the design had already been approved," she said adding, "But I didn't know how and who could approve the design."

She said: "The design can still be changed, as the construction works are now in an initial stage".

Architects said the building on current unsustainable design would create various problems. The building would consume extra power for its 100,000 sq. ft. space, as the existing design does not have daylight consumption facility.

Electricity bulbs will need to be kept on in daytime while air conditioning system will consume extra energy if the present design is implemented, they said.

Even the fire escape system of the 10-storey building is not modern and this faulty system might cause huge loss of lives and property if fire catches in any part of the building. Even there is a possibility of stampede for lack of enough fire exits, experts feared.

Chief Architect of BUET's Department of Architecture ASM Ismail, who is also the member of the DU technical committee, said, "The buildings of DU and BUET are mostly defective and were built to meet short-time demands with gradual or ad hoc approach."

"These unplanned buildings entail extra maintenance costs," he said adding that the DU must have an overall idea and planning for its physical development.

Chairman of Advance Development Technology Ltd (ADTL) Engr Anwar Hussein, whose company is constructing the building, said that the design was their product and they were ready to change it, if required.

The immediate past DU VC, Prof SMA Faiz under whose tenure the design was approved, said it would be better if these suggestions had come before the existing design was approved.