‘Center for Architecture’ is a center to promote society, architecture, and culture. It is a center where people will come, share and learn from each other activities. It’s a center for the people and by the people. How can a center change the society? How can a platform generate spontaneous public activity? How can an environment become a social hub? These are the questions; this center answers. Architecture can change society. This is the belief – I still hold in me. So designing a center for the public can have such spatial quality which not only generates activities but also promote social engagements.

The site is near to the Luis I Kahn’s Assembly Hall. The design attempt is to invite people from every stratum, and the intention is to avoid the physical appearance of monumentality and dominance. Therefore, the underneath design concept is to create a slight elevation from the ground level. People have allowed from all sides of the plot.

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The central courtyard with a central water body holds a solemn consolation with its surrounded large alcoves. Annexation of large hall shape alcoves generates different activities like exhibition, concert and group gathering or event like protesting procession. One archive, three seminar rooms and one café have provided with control guidance.

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It’s a society dedicated platform. Every single space has such hegemonic character to promote spontaneous public participation. Trees have taken as symbolic parts of society. Three trees have been put in distinct location to hold its unique identity in society. Contemplating spaces have high capability to convince human psychology. So to promote such qualitative space, I have tried to play with light and shadow in different zones. Light separates the function, and also light generates the activity. That is the underline philosophy to produce such meditative space.

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People will come and participate and will feel the drama of the space. And they will promote a better society to its inhabitants. Grandness and overwhelming inviting entry can be felt at the beginning but not any horrified way rather than with solemn and general invitation. The materiality has been considered as so close to human. Massive concrete has been used to sustain and to promote the feeling of closeness. Because flashy material stands like showy and that is not for poor and general people.

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This is a hypothetical project. The idea is to design a center which can add some value to human quality. Participating, sharing, learning, listening and contemplating all are necessary to build a healthy society, to enrich human values and to promote culture.

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