The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Square at Talaimari Chattar", Rajshahi | Shatotto

Project Brief

Bangabandhu Square is planned to be a two-storied building in a corner node, with a plot area of 61.34 katha, on way to Chapainababganj and another to Natore, parallel to high way; which is extremely busy and prone to accidents. A small-scaled humble project keeping socio-cultural context with every detail of Father of the Nation, his contribution for the people and country. A hub for regular activities and engagements, just as to celebrate his presence even in absence.

Site Brief

The Shatotto team has visited the site in October 2018. The site is situated at the node of the junction of Dhaka-Rajshahi highway connecting to the Chapainababganj road and the road leading to Natore. A very accident-prone blind corner. Very near to the mighty river the Padma and opposite to the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology. Known as the Talaimari Truck Stand, the site is mostly occupied by trucks and some existing settlements.

The total area of the site is 61.34 Katha, where 29.54 Katha is the own land of Rajshahi Development Authority and an additional 31.08 Katha is the proposed land. The site has southeastern air from the base of Padma River, around the speed of 5km/h; resulting in no wind turbine used in the design, rather solar panel.

Design Philosophy

The concept behind developing the design began with the words by Bangabandhu’s interview with BBC in 1972; he said to Sir David Frost, “My greatest strength is the love for my people, my greatest weakness is that I love them too much.” These words show how he wanted to live amongst and within the people of his country, Bangladesh. He needs to be an aura in space but not stuck in a monument. Hence the philosophy of the project is to create an opportunity to let people come close to each other and closer to the father of the nation, through an architectural space creation. A landmark where people are always present, occupied by a very active and participating set of youngsters. Programmatic arrangements are set as such that there is always a continuous flow of a new set of visitors.

Architectural Philosophy

Architectural philosophy was adapted from the famous Sufi, Lalon’s song, “Khachar bhetor ochin pakhi kemne ashe jai…” stating the soul of the building is the continuous change of the light and wind and the flow of people within. The words merge up with the thoughts of Bangabandhu hence should be coming out to the design in sense of celebration.

Taking the site condition on abiding, a solid, thick boundary wall designed to protect the human to resist accidents on the highway parallel site, and also to minimize the sound pollution. Entering from a threshold created as an air funnel to bring the wind from south to north, increasing the wind pressure from 5km/h to 15km/h; just to find a Bengali courtyard with a big rain tree after getting inside the project, giving the essence of a mother nature’s womb. Followed by an amphitheater, which acts as a soak well to collect rainwater.