The National Assembly of Bangladesh, or Jatiya Shangshod Bhaban, or National Parliament House, located at Sher e Bangla Nagar, in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka. This grand infrastructure was built, while the country was still part of Pakistan, by the architect Louis Kahn. This building is known as the 21st century’s most significant building. Louis Kahn designed the entire Parliament House, which includes lawns, lake and residences for the Members of the Parliament (MPs). The architect's key design philosophy was to represent Bengali culture and heritage, while at the same time optimizing the use of space. The exterior of the building is striking in its simplicity, with huge walls deeply recessed by porticoes, and large openings of regular geometric shapes. The main building, which is at the center of the complex, is divided into three parts – the Main Plaza, South Plaza and Presidential Plaza. An artificial lake surrounds three sides of the main building of National Assembly, extending to the Members of Parliament hostel complex. This skillful use of water to portray the riverine beauty of Bengal adds to the aesthetic value of the site. Kahn's key design philosophy optimizes the use of space, while representing Bengali heritage and culture. External lines are deeply recessed by porticoes, with huge openings of regular geometric shapes on their exterior, shaping the building's overall visual impact. The lake on three sides of the Compound, extending up to the Members' hostel adds to site's aesthetics and also portrays the riverine beauty of Bangladesh.
The Parliament building received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1989.
Although entrance to the compound, the Main Building, is limited to authorized members of Parliament and staff, the Parliament House complex is always open to visitors. North of the complex, across the Lake Road, is Crescent Lake and Chandrima Uddan. The two complexes together form a major attraction for tourists in Dhaka, especially during National Holidays. The complexes are popular among joggers and skaters of Dhaka as well, since the complex is a popular walking route - which can be seen every morning and evening.
The Parliament house comprise of-
The Bhaban (Main Bulding):
The Bhaban consists of nine individual blocks: the eight peripheral blocks rise to a height of 110 feet while the central octagonal block rises to a height of 155 feet. All nine blocks include different groups of functional spaces, and have different levels, inter-linked horizontally and vertically by corridors, lifts, stairs, light courts, and circular areas. The entire structure is designed to blend into one single, non-differentiable unit that appears from the exterior to be a single story.
The Main Plaza:
The most important part of the Main Plaza is the Parliament Chamber, which can house up to 354 members during sessions. There are also two podia and two galleries for VIP visitors. The chamber has a maximum height of 117 feet (36 m) with a parabolic shell roof. The roof was designed with a clearance of a single story to let in daylight. Daylight, reflecting from the surrounding walls and octagonal drum, filters into the Parliament Chamber. The efficient and aesthetic use of light was a strong architectural capability of Louis Kahn.
The artificial lighting system has been carefully devised to provide zero obstruction to the entry of daylight. A composite chandelier is suspended from parabolic shell roof. This chandelier in turn consists of a metallic web, spanning the entire chamber that supports the individual light fixtures.
Upper levels of the block (that contains the Chamber) contain the visitor and press galleries, as well as communication booths, all of which overlook the Parliament Chamber. The block also contains:
- at level one, a library;
- at level three, MPs' lounges; and
- at the upper level, party rooms
The South Plaza:
The South Plaza faces the Manik Mia Avenue. It gradually rises to a 20' height and serves as a beautiful exterior as well as the main entrance, (used by members during sessions) to the Parliament Building. It contains:
- controlling gates;
- a driveway;
- a main mechanical plant room;
- offices of maintenance engineers;
- equipment stores; and
- Open plaza with steps and ramps leading directly to the main building.
The Presidential Plaza:
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.
National Assembly of Bangladesh Jatiya Shangshod Bhaban National Parliament House Tourust Spot in Dhaka
Leave your valuable comments: