Coordinated Complex of Department of Public Libraries and Bangladesh National Museum
Placemaking is a quiet yet transformative movement—reimagining public spaces as the civic heart of every community. It invites collective agency, inspiring people to shape their surroundings with intention and care. More than a tool for urban design, placemaking fosters cultural, social, and ecological patterns that define place and support its continuous evolution. It is how cities—and futures—are shaped through shared participation.
The Public Library, long embedded in the layered fabric of Shahbagh and Dhaka University, has served as both institutional anchor and public hub. Reimagining this civic sphere, the design seeks to cultivate a space that resonates across generations—welcoming all with a sense of belonging and ease. Through thoughtful programming and spatial clarity, a grand void has been designed along with the masses, which celebrates the institution of life, where democratic engagement becomes the architecture itself.
The site’s institutional legacy is preserved, yet expanded—no longer confined to a singular user group. Instead, it opens itself to the city, addressing the scarcity of public space in Dhaka. The plaza, free of visual or psychological barriers, becomes the primary gesture of inclusion. Its openness invites spontaneous participation, making it a democratic ground—across gender, age, and political identity.
Project: Coordinated Complex of Department of Public Libraries and Bangladesh National Museum
Client: Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of bangladesh
Project type: Civic Project - Open Architectural Design Competition organized by IAB and DPL-BNM
Collaboration: In JV with Dcon Design Studio
Status: 1st Prize Winner, Work in Progress
Location: Shahbagh, Dhaka
Land Area: 36981 sqm
Built Area: 41463 sqm + 3 basements (81379 sqm)
Timeline: 2017
Team Leader: Abu Anas Faisal
Design Principal: Khandaker Ashifuzzaman, Shakhawat Hossain Rocky, Arif Uz Zaman
Team members:, Md Sharifuzzaman Sajal, Nazmul Islam Sourav, Niloy Nath Saju, Khondaker Muhibur Rahman
