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05 BAMBOO PLAYSPACE
Professional 2019
Role: Project architect, design workshop coordinator
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Team: Paraa
Site: Bosila, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Site area: 2800 sft
Built area: 5000 sft
Awards: UIA Friendly and inclusive spaces award 2020/2021 - Winner
The need to play is inherent in all of us, and even more prominently in children; of all ages, genders and abilities. Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh, a sprawling dense megacity of over 21 million people and under the enormous strain to provide adequate quality of parks and play spaces. This particular project is unique in its design and development and will act as a precedent for much more radical, collaborative design projects in the future. The site is in the Washpur Garden City, on the west side of Buriganga river.
The bamboo play space is an alternative venue for urban children which was an outcome of a three month long action research on “Design, Build, Play” under ‘Critical Architecture, Design and Sustainable Environment (CADSE)’ course organised and led by Paraa, a research driven multidisciplinary critical design studio. Located in the peripheral zone of Dhaka, this project has the opportunity to work like a multi-purpose space and hold many much-needed activities such as alternative schooling, workshops, trainings, physical activities, adventure playground, therapy, counselling, performances, play etc. Although the primary users of this space are the urban children of Dhaka and the neighbourhood of Bosila, the space is open for all. The space is managed by LEEDO, a local charity.
This project is an example of a collaborative method of developing a public place. A number of organization has participated, collaborated and supported this project. The orientation, design and build workshops created the opportunity to bring in experts, youths, students, academicians, professionals, artisans, craftsmen and others together for critical discussions and dialogues while implementing the project at the same time.
The project was conceived as a multi-purpose space that can support as performances, exhibitions, outdoor games, adventure play ground , workshop and learning space.
