status: national competition 2017,competition entry

an orderly composition forms a unique geo-glyph through which planning and architecture can be the
mediator for the apparently chaotic , disorderly or rather organic site of Dhaka central jail -. the project
is the antithesis of incarceration. a kind of citadel with a center of calm, where geometric rigor &
regulation has been practiced to bring dynamic symmetry, order and harmony to culminate through
emancipation. Amid an entropic urban fabric, It is rather a counter intuitive space where death
,contempt. confinement is inseparable from the site. a contextual response would generate afresh an
urban oasis. enhancing catalytic effect in the spatio- temporal realm.
the design approach to the project envisions-an open garden as opposed to confinement through
which a theatrical journey takes place. the central space has been embedded with a circular water tower
from which a shimmering flow of water would symbolize emancipation . water has also been used to
both connect and segregate in a holistic approach of landscape planning. . the site has a profound
institutional character but also bears sporadic & ad-hoc based built forms, natural growth of
vegetation & structures grown over time. the social & spatial connotation associated to the site has
long been rather stigmatic & has been experienced also by the locality, bearing heavy residues of
memory behind. some traces of incarceration of both singular and collective memories-are only
tangible by physically visiting the cells ,wards, gallows etc.
buildings where events as the ‘jail killing’ of political prisoners or the imprisonment of the father of
our nation took place – has already been turned in to small museums forming vital parts of the whole
new jail museum complex.
the old perimeter walls are negotiated and modified to cater new urban pocket spaces. it is a rather
osmotic threshold that has long been impermeable. Permeability allows new movement and
happenings to take place. at times the orthogonal nature of the geometric operation is reminiscent of
the symmetrical nature of century old gardens , monuments & citadels. The project is nostalgic to
historical events & sensitive to archeological sites as well.
access & experience: though the existing main entrance is the crucial point to begin the journey, it can
be configured with cardinal points from where it can be accessed conditionally. this allows visitors to
take the journey starting from different nodes of timeline as they roam through the site .
by means of architecture & landscaping a holistic approach of physical planning of the project has been
designed with paths ,water pools ,channels, earthen- berms, and covered colonnades -not only to
facilitate experiential exposure, but also to give a thematic experience. Thus the site becomes a rich &
vibrant stage of precedents diverse and varying. interactive galleries ,kiosks may be introduced to
facilitate different exhibitions and installations round the year.
some buildings would be conserved properly and can be used as temporary exhibitions and galleries.
Some built & natural forms are reshaped and used as landscape elements. while the main green areas
can be pruned to serve as soothing gardens shaded by genial trees , spaces for flower beds of varying
seasonal flora would render a sense of bliss amongst the visitors. this would add up to the public
domain as a place dramatized by nature. . major trees responsible for shade & landscaping advantages
would be retained & new walkways of gravel or precast soft paves should harmonize the design
through appropriate details .
a kind of pseudo ambulatory path has been designed around the central place of reflection where open
spaces are punctuated occasionally by foliage and built form. As the visitors navigate, they are always
reminded of the emanating water feature as an evocating reference point in their journey. Thus
landscape elements are used also to control traffic and segregate spaces as well.
zone a: this part of the project is considered to be accessed laterally in a way as pedestrian can traverse
the site. a public place where traditional markets ,complexes, are composed around an existing pond
on one end of the zone. While the other end a commercial block, multi-purpose hall, gymnasium,
swimming pools etc. are composed around an internal court as a concave mass articulates in invitation
next to it.
the center of this part of the site is celebrated by an open field and can act as a place of congregation
,concerts etc. this would give the people of old Dhaka a platform to exchange views ,opinions &
perspectives and provide concessional activities, sports etc. .thus a rich ambiance would usher new
spirit in their livelihood .
zone b :this part also participates in the evolution of public space . it would complement the
neighborhood with open green spaces as well as serve as an auxiliary entrance to conditionally open
either to the four leaders cell or to the museum proper itself. a pavilion type structure & book stores
would combine to form an inviting approach .food courts next to the water body would provide strong
visual connection with the jail museum yet physically separates it from the main premise.
the project has been optimized for access ,experience ,conservation & construction- . most physical
structures are anticipated to be retro fitting, light weight construction or per fabricated to facilitate
timely completion of construction & phase wise development. The project would usher the role of the
protagonist as contemporary and contextual understandings along with strategic interventions are
ensured. this process of appropriating spaces , would in return complement the locality and add
richness to the city for generations to come.