Nishorgo, Visitor Interpretation Center – Sylhet, Bangladesh

status:competition entry 2006

in assoc.with Ar.mohiuddin zilani & Ar.ashfaqul H.tanveer 

client:FOREST DEPARTMENT GOB,USAID

The project is thought to be of a sharp contrast between nature & built form. What we observe is a distinctive overwhelming mass projecting out of the contours. A kind of outward deliberation of built form to emerge out of the natural space.

The theme is not to merge the building with nature, rather to make a sharp distinction between the natural & the built environment. The central idea is making a procession of events through walkways & bridges to a journey to a high point within the site. a cantilevered mass projects out of the contour to celebrate  dominance of  man made form over nature .the natural landscape works as a backdrop from which the building emerges out. A complementary mass (the exhibition space) does stand dominantly out of the landscape to express visual superiority.

Visually it demarcates sharply that nature can be dominated at least visually. It is a competition of formal expression with nature. Natural designs are softer in contrast to the design which is in a constant tension with its surroundings. Visitors would be invited to a shock rather than a soothing harmony. It is pervading to the visitors senses. What one least expects to be seen in a jungle is a sharp edged protruding  invasive form.

Salient features. Circulation- vehicular drop is stopped at the early stage of site entrance, then the pedestrian walks through the latticed space which exemplifies the dominance of a strict orthogonal axis, to which the main building is perpendicular to.

Visitors have to take a vertical path then a diagonal path hitting the entrance of the building proper. In this way the path becomes eventful, a kind of pre tracking experience before they enter the main building.

Once in the building there are two levels and on top of it is a roof top cafeteria.

Not more than six to ten trees are to be cut to construct the building.

An observation deck is placed so a panoramic view of the landscape & canopy can be provided.

Within the exhibition space a portion of ground will be preserved in glass cascades to keep a kind of remembrance to the portion of land which have to be cut to insert the exhibition space.

The exhibition space is lit by light coming from above   sky roofs .thus making a kind of light well effect within the space. When rain falls the whole space is thought to be wrapped by water as it falls on the roof and flows down the vertical slits (ventilation is also through the same vertical slits).

The unpaved road is terminated to an amphitheater which would be a place of congregation & events.