“Festival of the Streets” is an academic design project that reimagines the Mohammadpur Town Hall Bazaar as a civic and cultural public space. The design treats the market as more than a site of transaction—it is envisioned as a living corridor of celebration, layered activity, and social connection. Rather than applying a nostalgic or historicist approach, the architecture is guided by the principles of regional modernism—an architecture of material honesty, climatic responsiveness, and civic boldness.

The project organizes itself along a central pedestrian spine, a promenade that weaves together informal trade, structured stalls, performance zones, and shaded community thresholds. This central axis widens into a Celebration Court, a flexible open space at the heart of the complex where seasonal events, food festivals, and community programs can unfold. On either side of the spine, programmatic volumes branch off—the dry market on the northwest and the wet market on the southeast—strategically oriented for natural ventilation, sunlight, and drainage.

Architectural language is drawn from regional modernist values—clean volumes, raw concrete frames, perforated brick infill, and a clear spatial order that remains open to informal appropriation. The stalls and built forms are designed with human scale in mind, allowing for flexible use while maintaining spatial rhythm and unity. Rather than ornate details, the project focuses on tectonic expression—structure and material become the ornament.

Circulation is intentionally layered—linear walkways are intersected by gathering pockets, seating platforms, and ramps that create pauses in movement. Verandahs and semi-covered paths form shaded buffers between the inside and outside, creating thermal comfort without mechanical systems. These transitional spaces are also culturally significant—they allow lingering, watching, gathering, and social exchange.

Material choices reflect both economy and atmosphere. Locally available brick, concrete, and steel define the main palette, accented with subtle greenery and water elements. These materials express the permanence and dignity of civic architecture while remaining tactile and familiar to everyday users.

Overall, the design positions the marketplace as a public institution—not just a site of buying and selling, but a place of gathering, memory, and identity. It aims to respond to the pulse of the street, the rhythm of human interaction, and the cultural energy that defines Dhaka’s urban life. Through clear structure, breathable spaces, and flexible programming, “Festival of the Streets” offers a contemporary vision for a market that feels grounded, open, and deeply connected to its people.