Anatomy of Dhaka: Understanding its spatial dynamics to connect with a parallel context_ Draft

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CHAPTER 1

APPROACH MEETS CONTEXT

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The 12 day course was focused mainly on studying the two contexts of Dhaka and Ahmedabad.

The study revolved around the culture, religion and daily habits of the people of the two cities. The study also included the understanding of the deeper structures of the society, which are unconsciously embedded in the roots of the culture. This helped to understand the way Architecture of Dhaka and Ahmedabad has responded to these, and the way it has shaped accordingly.

Walking around the streets of old city, exploring the food, clothings, artefacts, transport, old houses and monuments, here is something that holds the old city together and the way people live; the character of each street adds to the beauty of the overall experience one perceives.

One really senses the history when one strolls around the University Area, where events have shaped the spaces around them. The significance of the public spaces and plazas, have developed where people gather and discuss the issues related to the development of the society.

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PREFACE

“Cities should provide the environment for civilized life within the context of our own culture The traditional relationship with nature should be continued in the cities...

The practical aspects of architecture are measurable – such as, the practical requirements, climatic judgements, the advantages and limitations of the site etc. – but the humanistic aspects are not measurable. One has to be creative. One has to love his own land, its people and its culture and think profoundly about these.”

– Muzharul Islam, Architect.

The physical and social landscapes of cities get shaped by the socio-economic and political forces. There is always a quest to connect with the nostalgic past in terms of spaces and experience, to create a contemporary identity within the cultural landscape and to envisage a future for the spatial developments.

To perceive these spatial dynamics of a city it is important to anatomize the city’s neighbourhoods from where it all began to its present centres for learning; from the anchors of a national identity to its contemporary image construction; to understand the eclecticism of people, their culture in past and present as well as their response in shaping the physical dynamics of the city.

The city of Dhaka was looked at with a sense of understanding its past and drawing a relationship to the present day existence through the lenses of its iconic built forms and placing the people in their immediate contexts. A parallel was then drawn with the city of Ahmedabad trying to connect the spatial dynamics in similarities and contrasts. The objective was to generate a sense of place in both contexts; Tracing Relations between two cities of the same sub continent.

“Urban environment in a given situation is the product of continuity in the pattern of human settlement, utilising available resources in a way that it tends to develop structure of form fulfilling human aspiration.”

– Quest for Quality Architecture. Achyut Kanvinde, Architect.

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FOREWORD

A Tale Of Two Cities!

Dhaka and Ahmedabad – at two ends of the subcontinent, in two nations, having distinct histories and languages – yet have many shared phenomena. As part of an ancient trade network and as centres of textile production and trade they must have had links. Cotton, indigo and of course opium were amongst the many things that tied the two cities.

Closer to our times, both cities were nerve centres of their respective Independence movements. Of great interest is the fact that the places of learning were seen in both places as generators of the energies that such a struggle involved. Time and again, rethinking politics began in the world of thoughtful young people, and in both places youth sacrificed a lot to speak out and act to help the struggles.

Then of course is the link most important to the world of architecture. Louis Kahn’s works both at Dhaka and Ahmedabad had a huge impact on architectural discourse and practice. They continue to inspire even today. Notably, there are parallels as well as differences of programme, material and scale between the two yet there are lessons that are common.

Perhaps Kahn was able to build what he did build because both cities had developed architectural practices that strove to express the needs peculiar to their societies, evolved idioms of expression, and most importantly fully and ably supported Kahn in fructifying his ideas.

This compilation of students’ studies of these cities and buildings and of life in the city and in institutions throw light on how these two cities are twins in spirit. I hope this little publication will lead to stronger interaction between students and architects from these two cities.

- Prof. Neelkanth Chhaya, Architect, Academician & Thinker

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4. BAIT-UR-ROUF MOSQUE

1. NATIONAL PARLIAMENT COMPLEX

3. DHAKA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

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2. OLD DHAKA

4. LILAVATI LALBHAI LIBRARY, CEPT UNIVERSITY

3. UNIVERSITY AREA 1. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

2. OLD AHMEDABAD

CONTENT CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4

APPROACH IN CONTEXT WHERE IT ALL BEGAN CAN WE QUESTION THE STATUS QUO ?

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CHAPTER 1

APPROACH IN CONTEXT

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NATIONAL PARLIAMENT COMPLEX, DHAKA Photo credit: Priyanka Meda,RELATIONS/AMD/ Student,CEPT University 11 TRACING

NATIONAL PARLIAMENT COMPLEX, DHAKA

Area of Study

Image Source: Repercussion of Kahn’s vision - thesis by Md.Iqbal Hossain Talukdar

Master Plan

Elevation

APPROACH

CLIMATE

SCALE

Introduction : In June, 1959, the central government of Pakistan decides to establish two capitals, in a uniquely divided country, an executive capital in Islamabad, and a second, legislative capital in Dacca. The work of designing the second capital primarily was given to Architect Muzharul Islam. At one point Muzharul Islam decided that the nation would be better served, and the future generation of architects would have an iconic work to learn from, if a master architect could be brought in to do the work. Three architects namely, Le Corbusier, Alvar Alto and Louis I Kahn, were considered, and later on Kahn was appointed.

Refrence : Article by Architect N.R. Khan on National Parliament Complex, Dhaka.

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INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, AHMEDABAD

Area of Study

Master Plan

Image Source: HCP Design Planning and Manegement Pvt Ltd

Section

PLAZA PLAZAS

GEOMETRY GEOMETRY

SOUNDSCAPE SOUND

Introduction : While Louis Kahn was designing the National Assembly Building in Bangladesh in 1962, he was approached by an admiring Indian architect, Balkrishna Doshi, to design the 60 acre campus for the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India. Much like his project in Bangladesh, he was faced with a culture enamored in tradition, as well as an arid desert climate.

Refrence : https://www.archdaily.com

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APPROACH

Image: www.tourtobangladesh.com

Introduction

1.Landscape

Modern Architecture being transcribed as a part of Bengal Vernacular Architecture.

The landscapes of Bangladesh have been translated into the masterplan by creating artificial lake surrounding the building and creating a sense of place by choosing brick and concrete as the local material.

Today as we struggle between the strains of regionalism, the world remains an example of situated modernism, representative of true Bengal modernity.

Way out of flood:

Kahn’s approach focuses on no starting point, like its always been there. It speaks of essential things, things around which coheres and seeks meaning.

The conception of the Masterplan was about setting a building within gardens, waterways, fountains and interconnected spaces.

The study explores how Kahn was able to transform the language of the interweaving of land and water, into his complex which relates to the “deep structure” of our psyche in such a strong way that we become immediately related to it and an abstract familiarity prevails.

Refrence : Article by Architect N.R. Khan on National Parliament Complex, Dhaka.

The approach can be classified into two parts : 1.Landscape 2.Streetscape

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The traditional practice of dig and mound to escape from the flooding is often prevalent in the areas of Bangladesh. This method was used to create a plinth for the Parliament complex and the lake.

Kahn has taken Buddhist Vihara in Paharpur, as a reference in design process.

Introduciton

Image: www.newsgram.com

It allows students to participate in class through discussions, debates and comparisons.

Shantiniketan - Reviving the Traditional The central theme was to germinate the idea of an education system with transformation in learning under a natural environment that would be more enjoyable and fruitful.

No longer the classroom is in focus of academic thought; It is just a formal setting for the beginning of learning, hallways and Kahn`s plaza becomes the new center for learning.

The traces of concept of in and out classroom learning has been seen in ‘Shantiniketan’ developed

by Rabindranath Tagore. This mainly focuses on discussions and debates.

The approch mainly focuses on the informalisation of education system.

The conceptual idea of re-thinking educational practice transformed school into institution where education was cross disciplinary in and out of the classroom.

Refrence : https://www.archdaily.com

Corridor

Courts

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2.Streetscape

Refrence : https://www.archdaily.com

The street dynamics of the old city of Dhaka have been incorporated in the interior spaces of the Parliament building, with a Mosque at the end.

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Connectivity

‘‘The school and the dormitories are a unit like a monastry, corridors are avoided by having deep porches, of all the dormitory rooms, where tea is served and the things are discussed.’’

- Louis I. Kahn

Corridors as Discussion Areas

Refrence : https://www.archdaily.com

It is rightly evident that the corridors and the areas of connection acts as the pause spaces for interaction and discussions.

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CLIMATE Verandah

North entrance Plan

The concept of Verandah is widely been observed in Bangladesh to have deep porches to cut off the heavy rainfall.

Inner-Outer Shell The broad idea of layering the interior spaces for the climatic reasons, keeps the interior spaces protected.

Facade The facade has drip courses at various intervals which protect the building from heavy rainfall.

‘‘There is order of wind and order of light.’’

- Louis I. Kahn

Inner-Outer Shell

image: www.archdaily.com

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image: www.oroeditions.com

Verandah

The concept of Verandah is widely been observed in Ahmedabad to have deep porches to cut off the heat from the surroundings.

Inner-Outer Shell

Plan

The broad idea of Layering the interior spaces due to the climatic purposes keeps the interior spaces protected from harsh heat from the surroundings.

This spaces is also fuctionally used for discussions and debates.

Inner Shell Outer Shell

Inner Shell

Outer Shell

Section

‘‘Sun never knew how great it was unless it hit the building.”

- Louis I. Kahn

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SCALE Exploring the building at different scales from different points.

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Photo Credit : Farahbee Rahman, course instructor

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Verticality

Mosque Civilians Entry Authority Entry

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‘‘A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, go through the measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.’’

- Louis I. Kahn

Exploring the building at different scales from different points.

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Horizontality

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PLAZA National Parliament Complex consists of two plazas: The South Plaza faces the Manik Mia Avenue. It gradually rises to a 20ft height and serves as a beautiful exterior as well as the main entrance (used by MPs during sessions) to the Parliament Building. The Presidential Plaza lies to the North and faces the Lake Road. It functions as an intimate plaza for the MPs and other dignitaries. It contains marble steps, a gallery and an open pavement.

Chandrima Uddyan is a park situated across the road of the national parliament house. It is connected to the road with a bridge which runs over the Crescent Lake.

North plaza

The intent of the plazas was to provide access to the local civilians and give it back to the city as a public space.

Kahn took reference of Roman plazas for his design

South plaza

Chandrima Udyan Plazas and Gardens-National Parliament Complex Image: Reprecussion of Kahn’s vision-thesis by Md.Iqbal Talukdar

Original intention

Image: www.dailyasiange.com

Image: Thesis, Ar. N.R. Khan

Image: www.mapset .com

Image: www.dailyasiange.com

Present situation : The intent is lost, the activities have been shifted to Chandrima Uddyan

Image: www.archnet.com

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Image: www.archnet.com

Image: www.placemap.net

Dorms area Court

Court

Court Classroom block

Court

Court

Plaza

Plazas and Courts- IIM-A complex Image : www.archdaily.com

The main plaza disintegrates into smaller plazas and courtyards which overall adds in the outdoor learnings schemes of the concepts.The main plaza is used for concerts, convocations and festive times. The inner courts are mainly used as extension of outdoor learnings. The courts in the dormitories are play and discussion spaces for the students.

The overall theme of the green spaces is explored throughout the masterplan.This created different types of spaces for learning ranging from plaza scale to intricate courts. This different scales thus promote different types of learning at the different times of the day.

Present situation : The intent of the plazas and the courts still remains the same over the time.

Image : www.iima.ac.in

Photo credit : Farahbee Rahman, Course Instructor

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GEOMETRY Cultural Evidences The geometric shapes found on the different faces of the facade add a dramatic impact to the overall composition of the building.

The geometric shapes are abstracted forms found in traditional Bengali culture and the pattern called ‘kantha’ that are meant to creat a marriage of old and new cultural indentities as well as serve as light wells and a natural environmental control system for the interiors.

SOUNDSCAPE

Soundscape Map

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Image: www.archnet,net

Image Source: https://www.archdaily.com

Image: www.strandofsilk.com

Structural Evidences The geometric shapes on the different faces of the facade play a dual role of stability and dramatic impact to the building.

‘‘Where there is a beam, there is an Arch.’’

- Louis I. Kahn

Different arch types for stability of the wall

The circle used on the outer shell of the facade is well thought of, where the upper arch is used to maintain the stability by taking the load below arch proctects it from the earthquake.

Image : www.archdaily.com

Image : www.archdaily.com

Soundscape Map Image Source: https://www.archdaily.com

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“ I sense Light as the giver of all presences, and material as spent Light.

What is made by Light casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light. ” - Louis I. Kahn

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“ You say to a brick, ‘What do you want, brick?’

And brick says to you, ‘I like an arch.’

And you say to brick, ‘Look, I want one, too, but arches are expensive and I can use a concrete lintel.’

And then you say: ‘What do you think of that, brick?’

Brick says: ‘I like an arch.”

- Louis I. Kahn

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CHAPTER 2

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

THE BURIGANGA RIVER EDGE, DHAKA Photo credit: Priyanka Meda, Student,CEPT University

Shankhari Bazaar

Start Bahadurshah Park

Islampur fabric market Beauty Boarding

Ahsan Manzil

Buriganga river Farashganj spice market

River

Ghat

Entrance Footpath

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Road

Footpath

Ahsaan Manzil

Farashganj timber market

Islampur Road

Market

Swaminarayan Temple

Start

Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

Relief road Gujarati snacks shop

Dodia haveli

Ratan Pol fabric market Fernandez bridge book market

Ratan Pol fabric market

Dodia Haveli

Swaminarayan Temple

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PEOPLE IN PLACES Entrance

The scale of the entrances we see are in great disproportion to the people who reside there. The lower height of the openings are mainly attributed to privacy or security concerns that are of utmost importance to them.

Corridor

The main roads connect to dwelling units by means of rather long dark, dingy corridors which serves as an introspective corridor before one enters home. These spaces exhibit a stark difference from the riot of colours we see on the street outside to the intimidating pitch-black walkway on the inside.

Organization of spaces

Multifunctional spaces; the units along the road are stacked as commercial on the lower level and residential on the floor above enabling ease for activities like buying, selling and privacy for inhabitants.

Circulation

The arrangement of shops and houses alongside a service core comprising of a staircase which is an isolated entity indicates that the nature of ownership of the spaces; which are mostly rented.

Visual order

Shops and houses are vertically arranged in such a manner that they do not project out in the street.

Adaptive reuse

A place with cultural and historic significance, used to be an important rendezvous for creative people, now a motel-cum-restaurant and sometimes, is used as an ideation, exhibition and event space. The building and its establishment stands in the heart of the city of Dhaka, unchanged by time, proud of its legacy.

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Entrance

‘Pol’ means gateway. The entrances are adorned by exquisite carvings of Burma teak which are a visual treat to the eye. The workmanship and design also suggest the opulent lifestyle of those who reside within.

Corridor

The main roads lead to alleys which are awash with sunlight contributing to the welcoming nature of the walkways leading to their homes.

Organization of spaces

The zoning of spaces do not involve dwelling units as the Pol clearly has a defined purpose.The commercial activities take most prominence as they have been a trading community.

Circulation

The people along this belt belong to a trading background wherein all their spaces are solely utilised for business activities. The service core to upper floors is within the shop enabling an ease in transporting goods for sale which are usually stashed on the floors above.

Visual order

Shops and houses are vertically arranged in a way that each floor projects out in the street

Adaptive reuse

An old haveli, in which its indigenous architectural elements have been restored and contemporary space planning with luxurious interiors, has been done to use it as a heritage, boutique bed-and-breakfast facility, in the old city of Ahmedabad to have a holistic experience of living in Ahmedabad’s traditional culture of pols.

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PEOPLE IN MOTION Street Layout

The streets are linear or unidirectional and do not branch out into segmented alleyways

Sky map

The wires and signages obstructs the sky frame when percieved from the street. Also, scaffoldings for festival decoration becomes prominent feature during festivals of Hindu community.

Visual noise

Street appearance is dominated by the elements like wires, signages and hanging clothes, thus creating visual noise.

Threshold

Vendors in Dhaka lay mats on the road and conduct the vending activities seated. This also suggests how narrow the roads are in Dhaka wherein most of them cannot accommodate pushcarts.

Space appropriation

People utilising pedal rickshaws to strctch out for a short nap during the day is more of a common occurrence.

Street Food

The street food is a sensational phenomenon that one can partake in while strolling through the streets. There are several food joints serving majorly non vegetarian food that are located at definite intervals for that quick snack or meal.

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Bangla Bazaar Book Market

Linear makeshift stores Linear Street Layout, where main roads do not bifurcate to smaller alleys like Ahmedabad.

Street Layout

The streets bifurcate into several alleys which also are used for commercial activities.

Thus, percieved as porous in nature.

Sky map

Owing to the harsh summers that people experience in this part of the city it is common to see tarpoline sheets across the narrow streets that shield them from the heat during the day.

Visual noise

Street appearance is dominated by wooden carvings, ornamented windows, chajjas and shading cloth.

Threshold

Raised plinths are projected out from the shops and houses, which are used as seating spaces or customer interaction spaces.

Space appropriation

The ‘sheri’(streets) have been used as market places. The layers of vending i.e. a shop and vending cart in the front of the shop by a different vendor, is seen as a common feature of these streets.

Street Food

One cannot miss the street food of Ahmedabad while strolling through the streets. There are several food joints serving majorly vegetarian foods that can be located at intervals.

Fernandez Book Market

Organic planning Shaded by Fernandez bridge Partially Shaded by trapauli sheets & umbrellas TRACING RELATIONS/AMD/37

PEOPLE IN AMALGAMATION People experience The Shankhari Bazaar is a riot of colours and as one walks into the street you are pressed to look at several different directions as it is teeming with activity. The street is dominated by the Hindu artisan community and the activities that one sees there are unique to this place. The “shankhas� or the conch bangles are designed in the shankhari residences on the upper levels and they sell the same in the shops below. The people are engaged in several creative pursuits that contribute to the the temple activity of that region. One cannot miss the pedal autorickshaws that are used frequently by the people to cover short distances. The rickshaws in Dhaka are not adorned by images of movie stars unlike those in Ahmedabad but delicate cloth work with the Rickshaw Paint Art is almost different on every other rickshaw lending a quaint character to the streetscape. The next pitstop Islampur market, is a wholesale dealer of cloth which leads to the Buriganga river which is the connecting factor for the parcels of land that flourished along the river. The modes of transport are the boats or trollers, which are the fastest way to commute across the river. The spice market that enthrals your senses welcomes you towards the most awaited Beauty Boarding Inn which is an ancient lodging facility which triggered many beautiful associations and intellectual conversations amidst the artists. The space still bears the melancholic aura of the past.

Dhaka old city is not distinctive in character without people

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People experience As you traverse through the streets of Ahmedabad, one can witness a cacophony of colours sounds and smells that are distinct to the place.

The Ratanpol street specialises in clothing and is characterised by signages each trying to outdo the other calling out to those using this stretch. Walking towards the Fernandez bridge you cannot help but notice the layers of built form that are being judiciously used as spaces for wholesale trading of books. The interesting circulation pattern is also another reason that makes this bazaar unique. Moving along the busy streets the exposed electric cable lines gain most prominence in every frame. The Dodhia Haveli is one of the ancient pol houses that has been restored in recent years and advertised as heritage suites. The faรงade bears the quintessential detail wooden carving characteristic of the pol houses that has stood the test of time however the interiors have lost the old-world charm associated with the post restoration.

Ahmedabad old city is distinctive in character because of its archtiectural elements even without people

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CHAPTER 3

CAN WE QUESTION THE STATUS QUO ?

TOWER OF LIGHT, MUSEUM OF INDEPENDECE, DHAKA Photo credit: Abhimanyu Setia, Student,Cept University

The Dhaka University campus has been a center for secularism and a breeding ground for new thought by the youth of the country.

Streets are layered with the patina of different architectural expressions from the colonial era to present day and have witnessed the unfolding of Bangladesh’s journey of liberation.

It is a symbol of the celebration of tradition and progressive liberal values.

1904 Curzon Hall

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Curzon Hall becomes Dhaka University Faculty of Science

Bhasha Andolan

Fine Arts Institute

Bangla Academy

Teacher Student Centre

Mausoleum of Three Leaders

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DHAKA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

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Fine Arts Institute Modhur Canteen Teacher Student Center(TSC) Shahbag Chottor Suhrawardy Uddyan

2500m2

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Independence speech

by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Suhrawardy Uddyan

Signing of Instrument of surrender in Dhaka 16th December

Bangladesh National museum

Shikha Onirban

Gonojagoron Mancho

Museum of Independence

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MODHUR CANTEEN A canteen is a junction for freindships, an underground escape from lectures, a secret spot, the safest den. The Modhur canteen has been an ‘adda’ for the students political movement.

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Memorial to Madhusudan Dey Students enjoying cricket match Political contemplation Struggle for liberation

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1921 Modhur canteen becomes part of Dhaka University

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“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebillion.”

- Albert Camus “Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. the history of liberty is a history of resistance.”

- Woodrow Wilson

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FINE ARTS INSTITUTE (CHARUKOLA)

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Bhasha Andolan

Fine Arts Institute

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Architect Mazharul Islam’s expression for the Fine Arts Institute creates a paradigm shift in modern architecture. The form has a pavilion character and it renders itself almost invisible, while the space surrenders itself to social eclecticism throughout the year.

“... for Mazharul Islam, architecture was no less a form of cultural activism...”

- DAC, Adnan Morshed and Nesfun Nahar

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Fine Arts Institute Bangladesh National Museum Pohela Boisakh Chobir Haat

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TEACHER STUDENT CENTER (TSC) CHOTTOR

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1961 Teacher Student Centre

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1963

The TSC forms the social and cultural heart of the campus. It fosters the campus community life and supplements the formal academic program.

The plaza is a quintessential example of a democratic space with dynamic actors. It represents how academic spaces converge to become a part of the larger urban realm.

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TSC campus Greek memorial TSC circle Raju memorial

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SUHRAWARDY UDDYAN

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The public garden is laced with laminas of history from the Mughal era and is a repository of the collective memory of the freedom struggle.

Formerly a colonial era racecourse, the garden houses the museum and monument of Independence whose architectural language tries to simultaneously mourn, reminisce, introspect as well as look forward and upward.

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Independence speech

by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Suhrawardy Uddyan

Signing of Instrument of Surrender in Dhaka 16th December

Tower of light, Museum of Independence Independence speech Resistance to the boundary wall Eternal flame

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2015 Museum of Independence

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SHAHBAG CHOTTOR

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“The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power.“ - Wael Ghonim The shahbag chottor is a dynamic urban intersection that comes across as a bustling traffic junction, but transforms into a large democratic square. It raises an interesting question about how an urban area can be successful weather designed or not.

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Flower market Shahbag police box Gonojagoron Mancho

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India’s major priority at the time of independence was the consolidation & transformation of the Indian states into a modern nation.

“You cannot isolate architecture from the age, from the social conditions, from the thinking, from the objectives & ideals of the age.”

- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru The foundation of the Gujarat University was laid by Mahatma Gandhiji in the backdrop of breaking away from the British ideology of education with a motto of awakening the youth for national reconstruction for ‘Hind Swaraj’. With the architects like Balkrishna Doshi and Achyut Kanvinde, the leaders of the nation along with eminent industrialists took up the task to create a holistic education campus in Ahmedabad.

Ever since the university area has been an effereverscent ground for student’s ideas, recreations and social interaction.

“Strongly influenced by Gropious, Kanvinde believed that the visual language of modern architecture was based upon a scientific understanding that could be grasped by all cultures in the same way.”

-Kazi Khalid Ashraf, Architect

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Gujarat College

Swadeshi Movement

Gujarat Vidyapeeth

Gujarat Vidyapeeth not operational

HL college of Commerce

LD Arts College

Quit India Movement

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UNIVERSITY AREA , AHMEDABAD

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CEPT IIM LD College of Engineering HL College of Commerce Amdavad ni Gufa

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MG LM College of Science Institue Pharmacy

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LD College of Engineering

Gujarat University, ATIRA

AG Teachers College

School of Architecture (now CEPT)

IIM A

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KHAU GALI

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The university area spread over 675 acres is characterized by large campuses woven together by the labyrinth of internal streets. These streets are not just mere channels for movement but harness the activities of tete-a-tete, play and celebration.

The main streets to become a hub for street shopping and a gastronomical experience.

Living with animals has been a part of the urban environment of the city that is reflected in the campus life too.

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Gujarat University HL College Commerce AMTS bus stop Informal food vendors Informal clothes market

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INTERNAL CAMPUS COURTYARDS

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The campus areas are designed with a motto of learning rather than teaching that fosters an atmosphere of free thinking and unhampered inquiry.

The plazas and the courtyards act as dynamic containers, transforming throughout the day and year from playing cricket in the evening to convocation ceremonies to garba festivities.

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Louis I Kahn plaza Shrenikbhai plaza Garba ground LD College

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CEPT CAMPUS NODES

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“We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun” - a student on college life.

The CEPT university node is a den for exchange of ideas where energies of people from different walks of life (students, artists and common people) create a vibrant metropolitan environment.

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Amdavad ni Gufa Kanoria Art Centre

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Being a part of the same subcontinent both the cities of Dhaka and Ahmedabad exhibit similarities and contrasts in their contexts.

Under the influence of architects like Muzharul Islam, Constatinos Apostolou Doxiadis, Louis Kahn, Achyut Kanvinde and Balkrishna Doshi, the architype of both the university areas show resemblence in their built expression, but with a great response to their regional contexts.

The architecture of Dhaka University area is marked by numerous monuments that commemorate the nostalgia of the liberation movement. While the university area of Ahmedabad is more sublime.

The scale of the campus plaza in Ahmedabad allows them to turn them into a ground for festive celebrations while the porosity of the campus edges in Dhaka University area allow for the activities to overflow onto the streets.

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CHAPTER 4

TRIGGERED ? TRIGGERED !

BAIT-UR-ROUF MOSQUE, DHAKA Photo credit: Abhimanyu Setia, Student, CEPT University

THE SETTING BAIT-UR-ROUF MOSQUE, DHAKA Emerging in a dense urban residential setting of Faidabad area in Dhaka, this mosque stands apart from any other mosque.

Being the first mosque in Bangladesh designed by a woman, it aims to break free the minds of the people from the regular notions of a mosque.

Road Network Main Road Street Residential Bait-Ur-Rouf Mosque

LOCATION

Impact on the urban fabric of the immediate context A lot of residential buildings rapidly sprawled up in the proximity of the mosque after it was built because people feared that they might lose their lands because of the mosque and the reputation it had attained.

THEN

Image: www.akdn.org

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NOW

LILAVATI LALBHAI LIBRARY, AHMEDABAD Centrally located in the CEPT University campus, Lilavati Lalbhai Library acts as an academic hub of reading, exhibition and presentation spaces. Built in 2017.

Road Network Main Road Street Residentail Lilavati Lalbhai Library, CEPT

LOCATION

Impact on the scale and connection of the campus The sense of scale of the entire campus is dominated by the library block standing in between the various faculties.

THEN NOW

THEN

NOW

Image: www.facebook.com/CEPTUniversity1/photos

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THE RESPONSE The design is sensitive in its response to the immediate context.

The outer shell of the mosque with a few perforations makes the building introvert, so that focus on the purpose is not lost.

Meanwhile, its plinth extends out to the road and connects to the community by the essence of its boundary-less nature.

Image: www.loeildelaphotography.com

The raised plinth running along the periphery of the site, acts as a buffer from the street and serves as a major communal space.

The building, made of handmade bricks, merges with the ground making it feel like it is more rooted to its place, in terms of material as well as function.

The colonnade, not only forms a transition space between the outside and the inside prayer hall but also provides a shade from sun and rain to the activities that thrive on the steps.

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A

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A

B

The library building of CEPT stands out by changing the movement pattern of people, from an organic one in the rest of the campus, to an orthogonal one around it.

The campus gets divided into two parts in terms of activities of people; where on one side it forms a large pocket of very active space along with the Faculty of Architecture building, thereby leaving the other side of Design and Technology buildings comparitively calm.

orthogonal pattern

organic pattern CHANGE IN THE MOVEMENT PATTERN

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C

active spaces calm spaces

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D

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THE SPACE A place of arrival and pause Terracotta bricks used for the structure are left exposed internally and externally. They lend the building a character that gives references to the architecture of nearby buildings, as well as religious architecture of the past.

Transitional spaces W

S

N

A cylindrical volume was inserted into the square, with the prayer hall rotated within this cylinder so the qibla – a direction pointing towards the Kaaba in Mecca – is aligned at the centre of one of its walls. Light is also used to mark the qibla, which is identified by a vertical slit in the cylindrical brick wall that is visible through a large opening in the qibla wall of the prayer hall.

E

The rotation of the prayer hall at the centre of the building also results in the creation of four voids at the corners.

These spaces create small courtyards, with open brickwork allowing light and air to filter into the interior.

Eight columns surrounding the hall facilitate an open columnfree space featuring a ceiling perforated by circular holes that cast a dappled pattern of Quality of Natural light light on the floor.

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Dominates the facade of faculty of technology

Interconnection between spaces

Visual Connection with the surrounding

Voids Central Core Connection with exterior The facade of the library building provide chit chat nooks accessible for the people around.

Image: www.gsd.harvard.edu/exhibition/project/rmaarchitects

Bridge is not only a link between the plaza and the inner volume but also as a place: a place of arrival and pause, wider at the outer edge and narrowing down inside

Image: www.instagram.com/steven_canara14

Play of light and shadow in voids along the core

SPATIAL EXPRESSION

Image: www.rmaarchitects.com

Submerging the building by cutting the earth like stepwell, creating a volume for desired internal environment.

Image: www.photogram.net/tag/Cept

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THE IMPACT Commonly known as the ‘Lal Masjid’ by the localities, this mosque is devoid of the symbolic elements of a typical mosque and hence imposes contemporary progressive style of architecture.

The mosque thus aims to provide a clarity of space to look within oneself which is the essence of Islam.

Image: www.armchairtravelogue.blospot.in

Image: www.dailymail.co.uk

Image: www.qz.com

Image: www.wikimedia.org

Image: www.akdn.org

Wind and rain

Sunlight

Brick (earth)

The focus was on ‘elemental’ being the idea of God and hence the design brings in elements of nature (light, water, brick-mud) and uses them to evoke spirituality.

Bait-ur-Rouf mosque created an impact in the mindsets of the people of the community who started accepting the entry of women in the mosque; The local women, though, are still hesistant. But, it is indeed, a trigger.

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Lilavati Lalbhai Library has become major node for gathering. Its insertion in the campus had an impact in the layout and landscape of its immediate context.

THEN NOW

South Lawns From a more organic and informal lawn space, it has become an orthogonal green ground. The concrete pavement on its periphery now, gives a sense of control of walking on the lawns.

It subconsciously arises a sense of respect for the landscape.

The outer niches in the library building are now used for informal gatherings and lunch time instead of the lawns.

MEMORY

MEMORY

Images: www.imgrum.org/tag/ceptlibrary

The quality of a space is determined by the users intuitive acceptance to it. Secluded from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding, the functional core of the library provides a quiet space for work where students feel more focused.

With little natural light entering the lower levels of the library, you lose the sense of time and continue to work with concentration.

This has resulted in a major shift of students from the studios to the library which is equally used for reading as well as doing other academic work.

Unlike the core space of the library, studio spaces provide an environment for working together and sharing thoughts.

The inward looking character of the building is induced to the people around which limit the flow of sharing.

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COURSE INSTRUCTOR Farahbee Rahman Teaching & Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, CEPT University

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PARTICIPANTS Abhimanyu Setia Abrar Khan Aditi Bajpai Al Mujadur Rahman Arpit Jain Enakshee Bhatia Jerin George Mohammed Enfarad Chowdhury

Kusum Mamtani Mahbuba Tabassum Pavithra V B Prabhuti Desai Priyanka K S Sarang Yeola Subhi Nusrat Shama Teena Mary Thomas

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CEPT University Summer Winter School Office (sws.cept.ac.in) in collaboration with

Bengal Institute of Architecture, Landscapes and settlements (arch.bengal.institute) Co-Facilitators Mohammad Tauheed, Academic Co-ordinator, Bengal Institute Farhat Afzal, Academic Associate, Bengal Institute Guest Mentors Nurur Rahman Khan, Principal architect at TKNRK Assosciates Taimur Islam, Principal Architect at Urban Study Group Dr. Syed Manzoorul Islam, Professor and Writer Marina Tabassum, Principal architect, MTA Munem Wasif, Photographer Prof. Neelkanth Chhaya, Architect, Academician & Thinker Prof. Yatin Pandya, Architect, Academician & Researcher We are grateful to Rubaiya Nasrin, Research Associate, Bengal Institute Mahmudul Islam Chowdhary , Research Associate, Bengal Institute Nazmul Nayeem, Studio MRITIKA Hassan Mohammad Rakib, Research Associate, Bengal Institute Masudul Islam Shammo, Research Co-ordinator, Bengal Institute Mashudur Rahman Fahim, Architect, Lecturer at Stamford University Bangladesh Tanim, Himel, Biraj, Sunny & Abul, Volunteers from Urban Study Group Special thanks to Rafiq Azam, Principal Architect, Shatotto Prof. Rabindra Vasavada, Architect, Academician and Conservationist

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COPYRIGHT

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