| From the student|Knowledge Sharing Center: An Interactive Platform for readers, writers                  and publishers  |

Preamble:

In Bangladesh we have a large number of readers, writers and publishers and according to statistics the number is increasing day by day. Moreover we have a very reach book culture. Ekushe boi mela is a very unique and famous book related activity all over the world. Recently the venue of Ekushe boi-mela has also been shifted to Shaheed Shuhrowawrdi uddyan from Bangla academy because of space shortage. This also indicates the increase of book related activities.

Though these activities are increasing but there is lack of a common platform for book related people. Ekushe boi-mela is one of the most vibrant platform for readers, writers and publishers but this platform is only for a month. Neelkhet book market and Aziz super market are another common platform for readers, writers and publishers. But these are now in threatened condition. Another problem is the book related zones of Dhaka city is confined in a particular zone; Neelkhet and Shahbag zone. But the city has expanded to north largely. So book related zones also should be spread-out throughout the city. This project should become a new landmark of the city for book related activities.

So a new common platform is highly needed to uphold these book  related activities where readers can not  only  come, read and buy books, but also share their thoughts with other readers  and writers and where publishers  will also get chance to see a new future of their business.

Background issues:

1. According to statistics, the quantity of readers, writers and publishers in Bangladesh is at a satisfactory situation and increasing day by day.
2. The volume of activity of the target group is also increasing day by day.For example the venue of Ekushe boi mela has been shifted to shuhrowawrdi uddyan to get more space.
3. Their activity is exposed for only one month in a year. And throughout all the year their activity remains hidden.
4. There is lack of common platform where readers, writers and publishers can stay in touch, share thoughts and also keep business throughout the whole year.
5. The book related activities are confined in a particular area of Dhaka city. The whole city depends on only one center for book and writing related facilities. So it is very painful to come to that area from other portions if city

Project objectives:

1. Providing a common platform for readers, writers and publishers to share and explore more knowledge and also expand book related business.
2. This project will play an initial role to expand the confined center for book and writing related facilities towards other portions of the city.

Site selection criteria:

Site have been selected based on these two facts:

1. According to objective-2 site should be somewhere out of present core of book related zone to serve other portions of the city and to create a new possibilities for more book related projects in near future.
2. Second concern is that the site cannot be very much away from the present center for book related activities because that is the root. And primarily this is risky to select site very much away from the root. For example site cannot be selected at Uttara or other areas because of accessibility problem from the core zone.

Selection and Justification:

According to the criteria Panthapath, Karwan bazar is a best potential site for this project moreover this site has some character which is very positive for future impact of this project.

• Shahbag, Dhaka university, Neelkhet and Bangla bazar zone is the main root of book related activities
• The second most student dominated zone is Farmgate. Everyday thousands of students gather there. Many schools, colleges and coaching centers are situated there.
• The site is situated at the middle point of Shahbag and Farmgate.
• If the project is situated at this site the book related activities will flow towards Farmgate and also towards the northern portions of the city
• This will create a new trail for book related activities

Thoughts and spaces:

Amalgam of different types of programs was primary challenge of this project. The programs must not be arranged by conventional zoning system. Formal and informal spaces must talk with each other. That’s why books shops have been kept close to publishers’ office spaces as they are in Neelkhet, Bangla bazar, Motijheel and some other areas.

Use of control has been applied in a different way as found in Neelkhet book market area. The book shops are not controlled centrally by any closed atrium. Rather kept open by voids and corridors. On the other hand regular control has been provided to less public functions like publishers’ office spaces.

Library is the most important program here but it has been kept at upper level. The reason is not to impose on the context but for spiritual reasons. It has been compared with the head of a body. Another functional reason is that any city scale library needs scope for future extension. That’s why it has been kept at upper level with 3 dedicated lifts for library for easy accessibility. The inner spaces of the library is designed with informal and enjoyable spaces to maximize public involvement. People should enjoy to spend their time inside the library.

Book shops are at the lower levels to communicate with mass people and maximize book related business

Library is at the upper level to attract people from distant areas.

The intermediate space between library and book shop is kept void to create an urban aperture from the node. Cafeteria and outdoor food facilities are provided there to attract people upward

Publishers’ offices are kept with book shops and publishers’ show rooms to provide maximum communication with readers, writers and publishers.

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