NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING(Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban)

DHAKA, BANGLADESH
LOUIS I KAHN
 INTRODUCTION
“It is one of the twentieth century's greatest
architectural monuments, and is without question
Kahn's magnum opus.“ -- Robert McCarter.

● Located in the capital of Bangladesh Dhaka.

● Standing on the area of 3,400,000 sqm.
● One of the largest legislative complexes in the
world.
● It houses all parliamentary activities of
Bangladesh.
● Govt. of Pakistan decided to built the second
capital in Dhaka and that’s why assembly
building was suggested to built in 1959.
● At first Muzharul Islam got proposal to design.
● But He referred it to his mentor Louis I. Kahn
1962 to do significant work for future
generation.
● Muzharul Islam assisted Kahn at the project.
● The project is completed in 28 January, 1982.
 Location And Basic
Layout
Situated in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar
and bounded by four major
streets :

● Lake Road to the North;

● Manik Mia Avenue to the
South;
● Rokeya Sarani to the East
and
● Mirpur Road to the West.
In Year 2000 In Year 2021
CONCEPT
● Louis I. Kahn designed
this building in modern
architectural style.
● Modernist in principle
● Optimizing the use of
space while representing
Bangladeshi heritage and
culture.
● Character of the context
● A symbol of democracy
and pride for the Bengali
people.
● People’s spirituality
● Riverine Bangladesh
● Kahn combined both
vernacular and
monumental archetypes of
the region.
● Use abstraction and
transformation to a degree
of utter purity-- ideas from
many eras and civilization
● The core of the
composition is the
assembly chamber and the
library.
The main building (the Bhaban) is
divided into three parts:

- The Main Plaza

- South Plaza

- Presidential Plaza

The main building is at the center

of the complex. The outer parts of
the complex include the MP hostel.
An intricately designed lake
surrounds the main building.
Section
Main Plaza:
823,000 square feet(76,000m2)
● It is the parliament chamber
● Can house 354 members
● Also has two podiums and two galleries for
VIP visitors.

● Total height 155’.

● After 117’ a parabolic shell roof cover the
chamber.
● Upper levels of the block contains the visitor
and press galleries, as well as
communication booths.
● Artificial lighting provide zero obstruction to
daylight.
● A composite chandelier is suspended from
parabolic shell roof.
● There is a single story clearance after the
shell roof.

● This chandelier in turn consists of a

metallic web.
● It is spanning the entire chamber, that
supports the individual light fixtures.
● To let the day light enter, reflecting from
the surrounded walls and filters into the
assembly chamber.
● There are other 8 halls height of
120’, concentrically aligned
around the parliamentary grand
chamber.
● It also is part of Kahn’s design
objectives.
● Optimizing spatial configurations
where the supporting programs
project out of the center volume.
● 8 halls contains

- offices, hotels for parliamentary

officials, and a restaurants.
SOUTH PLAZA:
223,000 square feet
(21,000 m²)

● Faces the Manik Mia

Avenue.
● Gradually rises to 20’.
● Serves as the main
entrance.
● This entrance is used
by the members during
sessions.
PRESIDENTIAL PLAZA:
65,000 square feet (6,000 m²)

● Lies to the North and faces the Lake Road.

● Functions an intimate plaza for the MPs and
other dignitaries.
● Contains- marble steps, a gallery and an open
pavement.
Kahn designed- The
complex as the
necklace in the neck
of Bangladesh,
Where The
assembly building
is the pendent in
that necklace.
Material
● All the
building of the
complex is
made of red
brick.
● White
concrete is
used for
assembly
building.
● All the
materials are
local and very
easily
available here.
“Kahn was deeply affected by the presence of
water in Dhaka. When he first came he was
taken on a boat ride. And his first sketches were
of boats on the river.”
--- Kazi Khaleed Ashraf
● Lake surrounded the three sides of the
building represents riverine Bangladesh.
● It also enhances the beauty by reflecting
the elevations.
● Kahn’s trip to Italy and Egypt cast a great
impact in his work and in this design also.
● The massive walls of this building is the
influence of the Roman Bath of Caracalla.
● He also considered to in corporate mosque in
the form of a pyramid into the complex.
● But it didn’t work as the co- workers hated the
idea But He didn’t give up .
● At noon the building cast pyramid shaped
shadows.
THE MOSQUE
● Kahn designed the
prayer hall of the
building as a mosque
● Being inspired form our
spiritual belief.
● he let the light flood in
● Made it the entrance of
the building
● Square in plan
● 4 cylinders at each
corners, allows daylight
to enter, called light
tower.
● he let the light flood into
the mosque.
Mosque Roof Mosque Interior Walls
 EXTERIOR WALLS
● Shape of the Large punches
on the exterior walls came
from the geometrical
representation of our cultural
and traditional element. Such
as – pottery, house, weaving
element.
● These punches also give the
building a single story look.
● Providing protection from sun
and rain.
● Helps to ensure comfortable
interior environment.