Architecture for Independence; Bengali Architecture Over 50 Years
Architecture in Bangladesh over the last 50 years has stood as a symbol of the times; representing what it has strived for and, reflectively, what it has stood for as it has competed for individual identity within the Indian sub-continent.
Independence and Monumental Architecture
This distinctly Bengali identity can be seen as the rallying cry that defined its war for independence in 1971 from Pakistan (then West Pakistan, which Bangladesh was the East Pakistan to). At that time, the three pillars of Bangladesh’s independence were language: establishing Bengali as the state language and ensuring its preservation; recognition of distinct regional style: which occurred in culture, society, and art defined over a thousand years of cultivation; a strive for modernity: setting itself free from colonial control of the regional powers of Pakistan and India and developing into a strong independent country. These have laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s founding on nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism (The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh | FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY, n.d.).
Throughout the last 50 years, architecture has been a key tool for Bangladesh to identify itself and monumentalize these foundational principles within civic life. This is the case in the years prior to independence, the decades following, and decades since as Bangladesh, and its capital Dhaka, competes on the global developed city stage tackling issues of cultural identity, urbanism, and climate-changing global economy.
An Architectural Identity Prior to Independence
A key figure who shaped Bangladesh’s perception of architecture prior to independence was Muzhural Islam.
Muzhural Islam was initially trained in Calcutta as a civil engineer. He then studied architecture at the University of Oregon in 1952. Following this education, Islam joined the Public Works Department of Bangladesh, where his works, like The Faculty of Fine Arts and the Jahngir Nagar University masterplan, became symbols of what the region stood for (Rumy and Saadullah, 2007). As well as it offered a counterpoint to the modernism being pursued in India—spearheaded by Le Corbusier and Richard Neutra.
Islam’s works began to identify a “Bengali Modernity” that utilized foreign concepts of modernity but fused them with regional stylistic details based in ancient Bengali architecture (Rumy and Saadullah, 2007). These two pillars—modernity and regionalism—were instituted for public works destined to preserve the third pillar of Bengali identity—language—as the works, both the College of Arts and Crafts and the Public Library were institutions of language and cultural preservation.
Muzhural Islam’s Works: Faculty of Fine Arts and the Jahngir Nagar University Master Plan
Utilizing modernism and fusing it with tropical vernacular design principles, Islam created a sub-genre of modern architecture which was sensitivity towards ecology and topography (Centre, n.d.). This can be read in the masterplan for the Faculty of Fine Arts, where the open floor plan, axial, and curvilinear geometry, typified by Mies and Corbusier, were situated within the ecology of Dhaka: attentive to water and responsive to prevailing winds and passive cooling techniques.
This is additionally seen through the employment of the raised floor from modernism’s pilotis which allow for airflow and free circulation along the ground plane.
The masterplan for Jahangir Nagar University, completed from 1967 – 1970, acts as another instance of fusing modernist architecture with traditional Bengali traditions. An alternative to traditional city and campus planning, this fractally divided concept produces a geometric web of tilted squares, triangles, and diagonals which incorporate the administrative, education, and housing programs. A masterplan that supports the language and the push for modernity, Bangladesh’s education campaign prior to independence can be viewed as an approach to improve living conditions and build homegrown knowledge. Islam’s design, set within a gently undulating landscape, integrates natural conditions to produce an orderly and phased planning scheme that allows natural and built features to coalesce and construct a comprehensive environment.
The units of the University are harmoniously united through the use of a shared material: brick, which constructs the thick, angled bris soleil that reduces sun exposure and provides passive cooling.
The Architecture of Independence
Taking a break from work, Islam studied at the Architectural Association and Yale University, where he was able to engage with advancing design movements, as well as the key architects and theoreticians (mostly American) who defined the movements, such as Louis Kahn, Paul Rudolph, and Stanley Tigerman. As Bangladesh sought and won independence, Islam, as a key architectural figure who set Bangladesh’s design agenda prior to independence, became an icon to call upon when envisioning its future. Staying true to the design mission forged before independence—language, regionalism, and modernity—Islam called upon distinguished (foreign) architects to cultivate a national post-independence architecture for Bangladesh that would enable it to break free from its sub-continent colonial powers—there is something to be said, where in the push to differentiate itself from its neighboring colonial powers, it became victim to global colonial powers of the 20th century.
Foreign Architects Crafting a National Image
As Nathaniel Kahn, son of Louis Kahn, outlined in his documentary about his father, My Architect:
I think he [Louis Kahn] found in Dhaka his dream project: designing a centre of government in an new country meant that, if he did it right, if he was able to build his vision, he knew it could change the world. (KaziKhaleed Ashraf, 2019)
Although idealistic and imposing, this message begins to highlight what architecture for the decades following Bangladesh’s independence would mean. The state would engage in a building campaign to propel itself into a new future — while building on the ideals of liberation.
Louis Kahn’s government complex for Dhaka, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, incorporates a prayer hall, library, offices, parliament chamber, and national assembly building to construct a complex striving to define the new age of Bengali development. Sher-e-Bangla Nagar became iconic in its resurrection and use of modernism as Kahn creates three dichotomies: architecture and landscape, sacred and modern, and civic center and the city which speak to the ideals of Bangladesh. Its modernist organization uses rectilinear and axial configurations to center the National Assembly—a civic center. Slowly elements of the outer ring become detached from the main ring increasing light and view of the interior. The architecture both performs functions as the city center and has an appearance as the periphery (KaziKhaleed Ashraf, 2019).
Similar to Khan’s iconic Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, modernist and post-modern icons Paul Rudolph and Stanley Timmerman engaged with buildings fundamental to Bengladesh’s search for independence and modernity.
Paul Rudolph designed the Bangladesh Agricultural University utilizing the diagrid platform for the brutalist building. The university building becomes a forward-thinking monument committed to supporting the agricultural nation’s development.
Stanley Timmerman, in conjunction with Muzharul Islam, designed a series of five Polytechnic Institutes to support the development of the nation. The polytechnic institutes were constructed using three repeated components: an academic block and housing for both students and faculty. This rational, modernist method of designing, was accented with considerations of siting based on the specific sites and local conditions ((Polin et al., 2019).
These early building campaigns were based on the design and development of institutional buildings which built a national and unique identity for Bangladesh as it foraged its path of independence. By focusing on civic, governmental, and institutional projects, these monuments begin to tell a story, of where Bangladesh’s future lies in its establishment for the next generation. This focus holds onto local cultures, is rooted in regional conditions, and strives for modernity. By following these principles, Bangladesh can propel itself forward with a focus on achieving developed status; however, that push has come with consequences.
Urbanism and the Global Stage – Diluting of Civic Purpose?
While urbanism, spurred by migration for a better life and opportunities, within the capital city of Dhaka has caused a boom of buildings and a demand for architecture, in the liberalized market, there is a growing inequality among its city’s inhabitants (Saleemul Huq, 2016).
This is of great concern as Bangladesh has a growing population of people who will be affected by climate change as Bangladesh’s farmland and cities are vulnerable to floods, cyclones, and drainage congestion during heavy rain (Saleemul Huq, 2016).
Regional Resurgence
There is a regional resurgence that holds onto the goals of Bangladesh’s independence in recent years as the promises of liberalization and globalism have largely spurred new crises. This can be seen in the work of Kashef Chowdhury, principal of URBANA. With projects engaging with civic needs, governmental support systems, and attention to regional interests, Chowdury has been recognized with the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the commission of projects like Gulshan Society Mosque and Friendship Center.
Situated within the densely populated capital city of Dhaka, Gulshan Society Mosque occupies a relatively small plot while needing to support a large congregation. To do this, it has reconstituted typical court-prayer hall sequences in Islamic architecture for a pragmatic solution that utilizes seven floors to accommodate the parishioners ((ArchDaily, 2019).
Kashef Chowdhury’s Friendship Center is programmatically situated to support training programs for those who live within Bangladesh’s riverine islands (chars). Set within the low-lying riverine region, its design is constructed of load-bearing brick masonry and utilizes collection pools to drain water and surface run-off, while natural ventilation from the masonry’s thick walls and porticos naturally cool the spaces (ArchDaily, 2019).
These projects invest back into civic society and illustrate an approach that works to merge modernism and regional methods of thinking to overcome challenges and provide new spaces of architecture.
Conclusion
The last 50 years of architecture in Bangladesh have been intrinsically linked with its search for independence. Both outlined by local and foreign architects, architecture looked to merge, language, regional style, and modernity. Following independence, its push towards modernity led to many similar problems that developing and modernizing nations faced with global problems of urbanization, inequality, and growing climate dangers. As independence and liberation are a constant fight, the new age of architecture in Bangladesh expresses a re-engagement with the key tenants of its independence-inspired architecture: highlighting a potential for new futures in Bangladesh where its national interest and civic strength may persevere.
References and Further Reading:
ArchDaily (2019) Gulshan Society Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury – URBANA. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/917210/gulshan-society-mosque-kashef-chowdhury-urbana (accessed 14 January 2024).
Archdaily (2013) Friendship Centre / Kashef Chowdhury – URBANA. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/423706/friendship-centre-kashef-mahboob-chowdhury-urbana (accessed 14 January 2024).
Centre UWH (n.d.) The Architectural Works of Muzharul Islam: an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement in South Asia. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6674/ (accessed 14 January 2024).
Eric Chanel (2011) Friendship Centre / Kashef Chowdhury – URBANA. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/423706/friendship-centre-kashef-mahboob-chowdhury-urbana/52255951e8e44e03f400007a-friendship-centre-kashef-mahboob-chowdhury-urbana-photo.
Fatiha Polin (2019) Academic Block, Sylhet Polytechnic Institute. Available at: https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/news/west-meets-east-1761346.
Gautam R (2023) Fifty Years of Architecture in Bangladesh. Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a9216-fifty-years-of-architecture-in-bangladesh/ (accessed 14 January 2024).
Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury (2017) Gulshan Society Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury – URBANA. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/917210/gulshan-society-mosque-kashef-chowdhury-urbana/5cddba63284dd16d3b000017-gulshan-society-mosque-kashef-chowdhury-urbana-photo.
KaziKhaleed Ashraf (2019) Revisit: Sher-e-Bangia Nagar: Louis Kahn’s Capitol Complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, fuses imposing grandeur with disarming simplicity, foreshadowing Postmodernism, writes KaziKhaleed Ashraf. Architectural Review (1466). EMAP Publishing Limited: 128–137.
mazharul_islam_f.a.i.jpg (n.d.). Available at: https://www.muzharulislam.com/projects/fine_arts_institute/mazharul_islam_f.a.i.jpg (accessed 16 January 2024).
Mohammad Ponir Hossain (2019) Arial View of the Korail Slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Available at: https://theworld.org/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fimages%2F2019%2F03%2F2019-2-26-dhakaslum&w=1280&q=75.
Muzharul Islam (1955) Fine Arts Institute Site Plan. Available at: https://www.muzharulislam.com/projects/fine_arts_institute/drawings/15site_plan.jpg (accessed 14 January 2024).
Muzharul Islam (1968) jahangir_nagar_university_campus.jpg. Available at: https://www.muzharulislam.com/projects/jahangir_nagar_university/drawings/muzharul_islam_jahangir_nagar_university_campus.jpg (accessed 14 January 2024).
Muzharul Islam (n.d.) jahangir_nagar_university Elevation photo. Available at: https://www.muzharulislam.com/projects/jahangir_nagar_university/mazharul_islam_jahangir_nagar_university_1.jpg (accessed 14 January 2024).
Naquib Hossain (n.d.) Bangladesh Agricultural University. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRudolphFoundation/photos/one-of-rudolphs-lesser-known-built-works-here-is-the-bangladesh-agricultural-uni/10157074572818291/?paipv=0&eav=AfZ5m3dWxkzba8fOrQu4sj7kQ2s3UCPActGdzgkBLswqeyOnd0Goc4tNdclLX0Lfta8&_rdr.
Polin F, Mahboob F and Alam D (2019) West meets East. Available at: https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/news/west-meets-east-1761346 (accessed 14 January 2024).
Rumy N and Saadullah MA (2007) The Voice of the Modern Bengali: ARCHITECT MUZHARUL ISLAM. Docomomo Journal (37). Docomomo International: 40–46.
Saleemul Huq (2016) Is Rapid urbanization good or bad for Bangladesh. The Daily Star, 21 December. Available at: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/politics-climate-change/rapid-urbanisation-good-or-bad-bangladesh-1332994.
Sarbjit Bahga (2022) Muzharul Islam. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Muzharul_Islam.jpg.
The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh | FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY (n.d.). Available at: http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367/part-details-199.html (accessed 14 January 2024).
