A memorial complex dedicated to celebrating the life and accomplishments of the eminent film director Tareque Masud is a significant initiative, not only to uphold his legacy but also to preserve and promote the cultural identity of Bangladesh. The student project successfully creates an animated space for teaching, learning, and festivity, welcoming a variety of users, and incorporating vibrant zones that accommodate multiple functions—all interconnected through a series of courtyards and an elevated plaza. Connecting the complex to the adjacent neighborhoods and river enhances accessibility, which is crucial due to its remote rural location. Although the student has made efforts to embody the philosophy of Tareque Masud, whose films and creative works have inspired millions of Bangladeshis, the design could benefit from greater clarity in its philosophical narrative and in integrating components that reflect Masud’s values and viewpoints. Moreover, in contrast to the fluid and organic nature of the rural context, the proposed built form appears somewhat rigid and heavy, but the design decisions to open up and activate the ground level introduce a necessary sense of fluidity. – Editor

Notes from the submission:

The proposed site for this project is Tareque Masud’s ancestral home in Nurpur, Bhanga, situated near the Dhaka-Khulna highway in the Faridpur district. This site holds significant sentimental value, as it encompasses Masud’s family residence, featuring two water bodies and an open field where he brought up, along with his final resting place, embodying a repository of his legacy. Its close proximity to key landmarks like the Dhaka-Khulna highway and Padma Bridge enhances accessibility, making it strategically positioned to attract various visitors, including tourists and culture enthusiasts.

The site serves as an intersection between two communal spaces, incorporating the existing Mayor’s house and an open field which is proposed for the High-way Inn, incorporating future possibilities for the site. This unique characteristic of the site adds an interesting layer to the project’s context. It acts as a symbolic meeting point, connecting the historical and cultural dimensions of Masud’s life with the broader local community and the evolving urban environment. This creates a dynamic setting that aligns with the philosophy of neo-contextuality, seamlessly integrating the memorial into both the local community and the larger regional context. In summary, the project location, coupled with its rich surroundings, not only preserves the memory of Tareque Masud but also functions as a vibrant intersection fostering cultural exchange and appreciation. The memorial becomes intricately woven into the living history of the region, ensuring its enduring relevance and significance for generations to come.

The philosophical notion of neo-contextualism provides the foundation for the proposed design. This entails a thorough study of the site context and a deep dive into the literature of Tareque Masud, encompassing his philosophical beliefs and personal life into the design. In particular, the design objects are:

• Portraying the history of our liberation war to the younger generation.
• Establishing a platform for the expression of Tareque Masud’s philosophy.
• Infusing the design with elements that highlight and celebrate the cultural aspects.

The primary focus in determining the layout of the center revolves around decisions influenced by the functions and activities in its surroundings. The decision to connect the two main crowd-generating spaces and rejuvenate the adjacent waterbodies was based on information from previous geographical maps of that region. The process begins by assessing existing conditions, identifying references from current pedestrian entries, and exploring potential connections from the surrounding neighborhood. Major entrances and secondary access points can then be defined based on these references. Defining the lines from the surroundings creates a central space suitable for communal activities. Following the restoration of water channels and connections to existing elements, the form is shaped while adhering to accessibility references, water features, and central courtyards. The initial form is seamlessly integrated with courtyards and waterbodies. Taking natural resources into consideration, plazas and communal spaces are proposed at various levels within the center. To preserve waterbodies, elevated plazas connect communal spaces at different levels for different purposes in the complex, also delineating the form into three distinct zones.

The zoning primarily hinges on the strategic connection points identified in the surroundings. The complex is effectively divided into three major zones by an elevated plaza extending from the highway inn entry through the first floor and the Dhaka-Khulna highway at ground level. These zones are specifically allocated for assembly functions, cultural facilities, and educational/research facilities, each catering to distinct activities. The connectivity between these zones is facilitated by three different courtyards serve with different purposes, also paths, plazas, and bridges spanning from the ground level to the second floor.

The design’s goal, encompassing zoning and material choices, was to craft a subtle atmosphere that harmoniously blends with the surrounding environment, all while incorporating the philosophy of Tareque Masud.

Contributing Editor: Dr. Yasmin Ara, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Design, Brac University