Description

The Narayanganj City Corporation's tale is a little unique. First of all, it stands in an environment that has a long history of cultural diversity. The heritage of Narayanganj city is associated with the era of Sonargaon, which was the first and oldest capital of East Bengal. Further, the city experienced the role of many religious emperors. As a result, forts, mosques, shrines, tombs, and Hindu holy bathing sites along the Shitalakshya River reflect the city's religious rulers and foster a spirit of unity. The city is also renowned as a major commercial hub. Thus, the architectural establishments built during the 17th and 19th centuries decorate Narayanganj. Consequently, the design must be responsive and sensitively executed. In addition, the city Mayor wanted the Nagar Bhaban to serve as a representation of the city's leadership and a link to the colonial architecture of Bangladesh. She quotes from her travel memoirs, for instance, mentioning classic locations like the "Placa Dei Rei" and opulent structures like the "Magic Fountain of Montjuic."

Since it is a historic and bustling city, our approach was to connect heritage and contemporary design to create a contemporary traditional design. Further, the site's westward orientation posed another challenge and required a climate-responsive design. An attempt was made to employ recessed windows, louvers, and even wide and strategic vistas according to the sun path diagram. The style of architecture is characterized by its clean lines, graceful arches, and red brick color scheme. Panam Nagar is the inspiration for this red-brick aesthetic. The entrance is grand and impressive, leading to a spacious central hall. The program framework of Nagar Bhavan also distinguishes it from other city corporations. For instance, level one and plinth levels have been placed with the auditorium, mother and child care. In the context of Bangladesh, this one-stop healthcare facility for mothers and children is a beautiful model for any other Nagar Bhavan. Yet, different floors house various government departments, including the mayor's office and the multipurpose hall. The interior space is designed to provide a comfortable and functional workspace for government officials and employees. The offices are spacious and well-lit, with modern furniture and equipment. It is equipped with advanced security systems, including CCTV cameras, access control systems, and fire alarms, to ensure the safety of occupants and visitors. Effort was made to evolve an example of modern architecture with traditional elements that simultaneously reflect the city's progress and development. Furthermore, the team worked hard to make the building's aesthetic appeal, functional design, and advanced facilities a landmark structure in Narayanganj and a source of pride for its community. In the end, the vision was to craft a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements that could reflect the rich heritage of Naranyanganj while providing a functional and efficient workspace.