Project Description

Traffic police in Bangladesh endure long hours of exposure to heat, pollution, noise, and rain, yet the city offers almost no provision for rest or recovery. PAUSE is a “10 cubic meter resting pod” that reimagines this neglected need as a compact and dignified urban intervention. 

The pod is conceived as a “micro-refuge that allows rest without disengagement”. A foldable resting chair anchors the interior, enabling physical recovery while preserving visual connection to the street. Integrated around this core are essential support elements: a pantry for water, light nourishment, and first aid; a compact urinal to ensure basic sanitation; and a cloth-dryer panel that responds directly to Bangladesh’s humid, monsoon-prone climate. A small monitor hanging in the ceiling supports basic control or communication, reinforcing safety and situational awareness. Water harvesting system is provided for need of fresh water and solar panel is installed in the roof for electricity.

The spatial strategy prioritizes efficiency and adaptability. Within the strict 10 m³ limit, every surface is multifunctional—acting simultaneously as enclosure, storage, or environmental control. Layered and movable panels regulate shade, ventilation, and privacy, while allowing airflow and visibility. The pod is slightly elevated to prevent waterlogging, and its roof geometry provides rain water harvesting with potential for solar system. PAUSE is not designed as an isolated object but as a “replicable urban system”. Its modular and prefabricated nature allows quick deployment across intersections, checkpoints, and temporary traffic nodes. Durable, low-maintenance materials ensure feasibility for widespread public use. More than a shelter, the project is an act of recognition. It reframes the traffic police officer as a human presence within the city—one that requires moments of rest, hygiene, and care. Within ten cubic meters, PAUSE demonstrates how thoughtful spatial planning and empathy can transform minimal volume into a resilient, impactful piece of everyday urban infrastructure.  

Through Pause, we seek to redefine how society perceives pause, rest, and the human behind the uniform.