Bangla Academy
Location: Dhaka University Campus, Dhaka

About the project:
The site and its existing buildings set in motion an interplay of two defined grid/axis systems - one of them is of the existing structures which are in the wrong orientation and the other is the Cardinal.

The two grids/axes set into motion a dynamics that has become the generative force of our masterplan and design.

The new building must conform to the Cardinal axis but must have interplay with the axis of the existing structures in order to connect and to become one with the complex. The Bordhoman House lacks an integration with the existing pond. This difficulty has been fixed by introducing a public plaza cum ‘ghaat’ that unites the pond with the most important structure in the complex. Another ghaat and plaza has been created diagonally to that which is the entry plaza of our new structure.

The dialogue set by the two plaza/ghaats unites the old with the new. The whole scheme  becomes harmonious and connected. Yet all this is achieved without costly additional structures and without doing any harm to the existing landscape. Also the way the whole complex is designed the sculptural mass of the auditorium and the hanging reading hall of the library overlooking the pond gives the new structure the right projection to the public eye and clearly states its purpose without becoming an alien structure on site.

The total scheme brings about a simple but powerful order which finally ties together all the loose buildings and landscape elements that is much needed and the new proposed structure is an outcome of this system and thus becomes an indispensable part of the new
order.