Ajo在孟加拉语中常被用来形容旧的、被遗弃或与时代脱节的事物。Ajo餐厅的创始人和构思者使用了这个词汇，意图通过设计来将一个被弃置的空间改造成美术馆旁边的独特场所。这是一个非常受艺术家和设计师们欢迎的聚会空间，任何人都可以在此自由地交谈。
AJO, in Bangla is often used to describe something old, left out or irrelevant to its time. The word was used by the restaurant’s Founder and ideator Khaled Mahmud, as the idea was to convert a left over space and turn it into a unique cafe near an art gallery. It was a very popular hangout space among people including artist, thinkers and designers. It acted as a platform where any one could meet and talk with artists and intellects. But as the project was shut down in early 2015 due to property lease expiration, it was difficult to find a similar setting.
▼鸟瞰，aerial view © Noufel Sharif Sojol
设计团队在达卡北端Uttara区域的住宅街道上找到了一块234平方米的空地，其后方与环境优美的公园相连。除了作为餐厅和咖啡厅，Ajo的老板还希望营造一个具有东方气质的空间，使人们从中感受到与场所的连接。在设计中，Wabi-sabi的概念被持续地讨论，构成了Ajo餐厅的全新本质。
With a beautiful park connected at its back, they finally found an empty plot of 234sq.m beside a small residential street at Uttara, the northern end of Dhaka. Apart from being a Cafe and restaurant, Ajo’s Owner wanted to create an Eastern place, where people could feel connected and instantly find an attachment to the space subconsciously. ‘WABI SABI’, the Japanese term for art of appreciating imperfection was constantly discussed to generate the essence of the new Ajo.
▼街道立面，street facade © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼餐厅入口，entrance © Noufel Sharif Sojol
设计面临的挑战是要找到餐厅原先的记忆点，以及如何在一个截然不同的环境中对其进行再创造。最后的结构呈现为一个具有当地传统特征的凉亭：屋顶在下方投下阴影，景色与微风从中流过。厨房位于首层，是所有必要设施中唯一受到体量限制的区域，用餐区则设置在厨房的两侧以及二层空间。餐厅整体被一个预制的金属拱顶覆盖，空气和光线可以自由地通过。
▼轴测图，axonometric view © Dehsar Works
The challenge was to find out what constituted the memory of the previous restaurant and how it could be recreated in a completely different context. The final Structure has been designed as a pavilion, which resembles traditional character of this region; to have a roof over your head casting shadow while the landscape and wind flows through. With necessary amenities, the only controlled volume was the kitchen. The dining areas have been placed on top of it and on both sides at ground level. This whole arrangement has been covered with a prefabricated metal vault which allowed free movement of air and light.
▼一层吧台区域，ground floor bar © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼餐厅整体被一个预制的金属拱顶覆盖 © Noufel Sharif Sojol the whole arrangement has been covered with a prefabricated metal vault
▼户外用餐区，outdoor dining area © Noufel Sharif Sojol
拱顶上开有一个孔洞，将一棵树纳入用餐区域。带孔的金属屏墙在引入光和空气的同时还能够阻挡大雨。朝向公园的一侧设有带有固定玻璃板的框架，与拱顶的轮廓保持了三英尺（约0.9米）深的间隔，可以同时起到排风、通风和挡雨的作用。
A void was cut open in the vault to place a large tree inside the dining area. A perforated metal screen has been devised that allows light and air but breaks the heavy rain. From the park‘s end, a frame with fixed glass panel has been placed three feet deep keeping gap with the vaults profile. This allows air leakage and easy ventilation but protects the loft from driving rain.
▼二层用餐区，dining area on the upper floor © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼一棵树通过拱顶上的孔洞被纳入用餐区域 © Noufel Sharif Sojol a void was cut open in the vault to place a large tree inside the dining area
▼朝向公园一侧的立面，view towards the park © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼二层露台，outdoor terrace © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼金属拱顶细节，the metal vault © Noufel Sharif Sojol
室内设计给人以随性的感觉，搭配以低调简约的家具，为客人们营造出轻松舒适的氛围。建筑的顶层大部分保持开放，意在鼓励社区的大人和孩子们每周来这里聚会和讨论问题。餐厅作为一个创造性的聚会空间，吸引着人们前来用餐、放松和交谈——这也是它被称作Ajo Idea Space的原因所在。
The details in the interior were done in a very loose manner with modest furniture, to make people feel relaxed around the new space. The top floor has been kept open largely to encourage weekly gathering of community adults/ children for discussion on contemporary topics and cultural ethics. The restaurant works as a creative gathering space where people come to dine, relax and talk about their Ideas. Inspired by the events, this new premise has been named as ‘Ajo Idea space’.
▼俯瞰一层，aerial view to the ground floor © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼座位细节，interior details
▼透过玻璃窗望向二层空间，view to the upper floor through the glazed wall © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼餐厅夜间外观，exterior view by night © Noufel Sharif Sojol
▼场地平面图，site plan © Dehsar Works
▼草图，sketches © Dehsar Works
▼设计思路示意，conceptual development drawing © Dehsar Works
▼一层平面图，ground floor plan © Dehsar Works
▼二层平面图，first floor plan © Dehsar Works
▼立面图，elevations © Dehsar Works
▼剖面和细部，section and detail drawings © Dehsar Works
