River Life Museum and Research Facilities

Project idea

The River Life Museum and Research Facilities will act as an environmental and educational center for the public. Under the environmental heading, it breaks into two parts: preservation and research facilities about the concepts, facts and vocabulary of the rivers. The main goals of this Project is to study the physical characteristics and the River life of the Bangladesh. The studies should help the people in learning more about the rivers and its effects on our lives. This center would not only do research but would also act to conserve the rivers. Conservation of our rivers is important not only to preserve the natural habitat but also to preserve our global climate. Through this conservation effort, scientists and the public will gain a better understanding of the ecosystems in existence today. This River Life Museum and Research Facilities would not only be for the scientists but also for the public to learn more about the rivers and its inhabitants. We see another angel, 95% water are saline of the sea, 3-4% are ice, rest of only 1-2% are fresh water. Rivers have served as ways of communication and trade. Rivers have played an important part in shaping the destinies of mankind living on their banks. Our existence, our culture all those are related with rivers. Water an integral part of human life and a powerful element with limitless potentials in the design of a place for people. Our illiteracy about marine life threat for river life and us. Under all those consideration, this project is done.

This project aims to develop such a project that has socio-economic sustainability and has a positive impact on the local and national aspect. The project will require the student to incorporate the complexities and multidiversified functions with technical aspects of a museum and research station aesthetically and functionally appropriate of its context as well as serve the
purpose for which it has been designed. The project is to be the first of its kind in the country. It’s public display is intended to bring increasing awareness about the river resources among the people.

 To orient the regional river life to the urban dwellers.
 To undertake of river resources of the exclusive economic zone.
 To study biology and life cycle of commercially important species of fishes and study molluses.
 To study ecological parameters which influences the distribution and abundance of fisheries resources?
 To offer a leisure of recreation and to some extent research also.

Project description

The Bay of Bengal has largely soft substrates off the mainland, due to the extensive river discharge, which are overlain by shallow, turbid waters. The People’s Republic of Bangladesh has a particularly low-lying, shallow accretion coastline and is unique in the region in that the influence of the sea is felt for a long distance inland (Wells et al 2003). It is characterized by a vast deltaic network, an enormous discharge of sediment-laden water and numerous offshore sand and mud bars (Wells et al 2003). In the north, reef growth is inhibited by massive freshwater and sedimentary inputs from the Indus, Ganges and other rivers and in the Northwest by cold up welling as well (Wells et al 2003). The People’s Republic of Bangladesh has almost no reef development due to the high turbidity and soft substrates present (Wells et al 2003). Water is a basic determinate of life with an intangible physical hold on our life. This intangible symbolic meanings to human has made water an integral part of human life and a powerful element with limitless potentials in the design of places for people. The tremendous aesthetic appeal of the element water has lead to this water front development.Our ancient culture, age-old lifestyle and inseparable heritage is centered around rivers and water bodies. We can not ignore this heritage and culture. Moreover we should enrich ourselves with a sound knowledge about our rivers, river life, research with rivers, experiments and all the aspects of our social life influenced by river. So this project is basically nature with the philosophy to bring our people nearer to the water and water life.

If we considered the context, Bangladesh is a land of Rivers of 200 km of sea area of the Bay of Bengal from its coastal line. The main goal of this Project is to study the physical characteristics and the River life of Bangladesh. With the increase of population in Bangladesh (242 million by 2050, according to the UN), Bangladesh will have to turn its attention to river resources for food and other needs of its people. Rivers circulate its culture, life style. They also possess some marvelous beauty.

Biodiversity
In spite of all this there is also many histories of different Rivers which needed to conserve for our own sake. Not only that, the biodiversity of the river of Bangladesh is very impressive. But some floras &faunas are in danger. They are about to extinct.

River based culture
Most of the bangla Folk Songs are based o Rivers; ex: Jari, Sari,vatiali etc.
Every year at rainy season of Bangladesh most of land fill with water. At this time Bangladeshi people arrange this traditional race.In this race the boat mans trying to share their creativity with participant. Those are comes to see the race they feel very happy. Its a traditional race of Bangladesh. Its carry 400 years historical background.The life of fishermen, boatmen and so on are also a vital sector of river life. Rivers circulate their culture, life style.

Considering the environmental heading River Life Museum and Research Facilities breaks into two parts: preservation of the rivers river based research. Conservation of our rivers is important not only to preserve the natural habitat but also to preserve our global climate. Through this conservation effort,
scientists and the public will gain a better understanding of the ecosystems in existence today.
The main objectives of River Life Museum & Research Institute are as follows:
• To grow the interest about our rivers and river life for the people.
• To increase the river life knowledge for the people.
• To orient the regional river life to the urban dwellers.
• To preserve the aesthetic values of the river life.

Technical information

This project is going to be an expression of the new face of society, in which advancement of science and technology plays an important role. It will enhance the idea of creating this project to be an expression of high-tech society. The advancement of technology not only occur in the research facilities but also exists in building technology.

DESIGN CONSIDERATION
Consideration in planning a museum
General considerations of museum planning depend upon some key factors of the museum that have to be designed:
 Types of exhibits, visitors and activities
 Primary attraction and main circulation
 Flow patterns, time required for each activities
 Peak numbers, room capacities
 Exhibit serving, cleaning and maintenance
 Security, protection and fire safety

It is the way to describe a new museum’s vision, visitor experience and organizational plan. This may include:
 A review of resources, assets and collections.
 A review of local attractions and museums.
 Potential visitor and other audience and user groups.
 Exhibition story lines &thematic treatments.
 Space Needs Analysis & site selection &
 Architectural Concepts.

Visitors:
Selection of exhibits is an important factor as different groups of visitors have different tastes. There are in fact two groups of visitors coming to a museum.
Casual visitors:
These visitors come for the sole purpose of enjoyment and no definite objective.
Students:
They visit the museum for study collection.They are in fact the series viewers.

Visitors -Exhibit Relationship
Visitor-exhibit relationship is seen as quantitative problem. The smaller the ratio of visitors to exhibits the more opportunity for concentration and for each individual to enter freely into a relationship with the exhibit.

Group viewing
 Close contact with the exhibit
 No longer possible without disturbing any member of group.
 Visitors must arrange themselves the exhibit keeping an equal distance if the exhibit is not placed
 Against a solid surface.

Group viewing division
 Large groups visiting as such have no longer virtually any opportunity of having a close contact with the original for the space they occupy is too large.
 The restriction of movement makes obligations in depth impossible.

Division of groups among exhibits
 Can be scattered over a large area
 The relationship of a large group to the original relationship replaced by the relationship of smaller groups to copies.

Hope of making personal contact
 The kinetic man object relationship is revised
 The object is presented in a dynamic fashion, on a kind of podium to visitors who remain immobile in an auditorium.

Circulation:
The success of a museum in effecting a smooth flow of interested viewers depends largely on good circulation planning. The circulation pattern causes a psychological effect on the minds of the viewers. Good circulation encourages viewers, and avoids museum fatigue a complicated and tiresome discourage the viewers.

Types of circulation:
The circulation of museum may be divided into three main groups:
 Public circulation.
 Goods circulation.
 Staff circulation.
These three types of movement should not get mixed up or cross with others.

Public circulation:
 Public circulation should be planned in such a way that
 The viewers do not have to follow a twisted boring path and discouraged easily. Convenient arrangement of galleries and other usable spaces Circulation with the help of gallery or with both gallery and corridor may be planned. Another ¬interesting solution could be if the circulation was around a space from where the whole museum could felt spatially.

Gallery circulation:
 Dead-ends in circulation should be avoided in galleries with exhibits mainly on one side but with exhibits on both sides, Circulation, within a gallery may be planned.
 Large museum should have a central space as a secondary circulation of galleries can be possible.
 Arrangement for grouped exhibits to attract the casual visitors should be present.
 Gallery- Corridor circulation scheme of circulation lay- out is based on a circulation corridor for which all galleries are approached.
 The advantage of this is that visitors pass the openings to all galleries but only enter those of particular interest to them.
 Exhibition in the corridor must not be practiced.

Goods circulation:
 The entrance for goods should be provided at the back or side of the building
 Lead to the rooms used for unpacking repair and other administrative purpose.
 This entrance should deliver to the main goods circulation, which will involve a lift or hoist for handing larger and heavier objects between the entrance level and gallery

Staff circulation:
 Separate passage and entrance is required to big museum for offices, libraries and auditoriums.
 To avoid unnecessary movement through the exhibition rooms.
 They should be arranged in such a manner that the gallery circulation may be cut off without cutting of the office circulation with outside.

Vertical circulation:
 To avoid fatigue most of the museums are built at ground levels.
 Sometimes varied floor levels are practiced for interest on perspective views.
 In multi storied museum mechanical means like elevators help in a vertical circulation

Exhibition requirements:
The concept in the exhibition halls may be to create a dramatic theatrical settings, recreating the illusion of contextual historical or environmental conditions in which the exhibit can be better appreciated.

Comfortable viewing:
The viewing arc: for acute vision without
moving head is up to about:
 Wide-540
 Upward-270
 Down-100

This is the basis on which,
exhibits are normally planned and positioned. Large display need to be viewed from a distance about 1.5 times the maximum width of the object.
Picture of models showing objects usage the people used why it was etc. will make the display more enjoyable addictive.
 Full-scale models could be made to show the

It is an advantage in term of visual comfort if succeeding fields are not always at the same distance than within each field the distance between objects is not too great. There is a limit to the eyes depth of focus particularly.
Exterior exhibition areas:
Exterior exhibits such as excavated ruins, archaeological feature and commissioned works of art should be integrated with landscaping and the arrangement of buildings.
Particular considerations relating to the site include:
Aspect Checklist
Public access models of transport, waiting areas, parking facilities
Climatic conditions Shelter, drainage, paths, hard standings, landscaping.
Sensitive areas Protection against vandalism and damage (Railings, moats) incorporation in layout (courtyards, glass conservatories.)
Security gallery
control of access points, surveillance systems
Flood lighting Illumination of buildings and outdoor exhibits. Lighting of entrance and approach
Maintenance ground maintenance, building fabric, window cleaning
Emergency Access and Egress Location of exits and assembly points. Vehicular access, water hydrants, emergency lighting
Technical Plants
Plants room requirements, location, limitation of noise, vibrations, storage and safety requirements
Exhibits and other Deliveries Loading dock requirements, dimensional clearance, handling equipment, security control and weather protections.

Exhibition areas: Alternatives
Open plan for large autonomous exhibits.

Core with satellite galleries
Core attraction with thematic satellite display

Linear progression
Sequential arrangement of display areas in set rule

Labyrinth
Fir circulation between thematic display areas

Combinations
Dictated by the type of displays and buildings

Environmental condition
Lighting:
Museum lighting is one of the most important elements in museum planning. Both
 Artificial lights
 Natural lights
Natural Lighting:
Day light gives variety of intensities and emphasis which we miss under artificial lighting. Our eyes are used to day light color range.
There are certain objects which do not always appear to the best advantage under artificial lights for example- sculptural elements.

Artificial Lighting
As the intensity of natural light varies with the movement of cloud, so especially in rainy season, artificial lighting has certain advantage over natural lighting. In the evening lighting is a must. So in a museum installation of both natural and artificial lighting is necessary

Some principles of Good Lighting:
 For particular exhibits sources of light should be one, so that lighting effects is uniform.
 Natural light can only depended upon where artificial light is injurious.
 Proper use of both types of lighting can only make the exhibits stimulating.
 Reflection should he avoided directly from the object.
 Lights should be glare free.
 Identify the main focal points and build up the lighting from requirements.
 The surroundings area should be moderately brighter.
 Flickering light should be avoided.
 A dull lighting should at all costs be avoided.

Video technology:
Video and other technologies employed in producing presenting information have many applications in all types of exhibitions. At the same time, the rapid development of new equipment, costs are increasing sophistication; the skilled operators, expensive maintenance and obsolescence necessitate careful consideration of the wide range of choice available.
Liquid crystal display (LCD) LCD technology uses polarizing filters together with panels of liquid crystal material to control the transmission of light.
LCD is suitable for portable equipment, front and back projection, video walls and high end applications using large screens.
Plasma Screens
Plasma displays employ the same principal as fluorescent lamps,using electrode discharges to ionize gas molecules
Plasma screens are currently limited in size to about 150cm in diagonal, but are thin, free from flicker and allow a wide viewing angle (160 degree). They have applications in computer- generated interactive displays (touch screen), exhibitions and information presentation.

Video Walls
Video walls are made up from multiple video monitors arranged to present multiple images, a single enlarged images being produced by the use of digitized image processors to split the standard analogue pixel array between individual screens. They are used in arenas, product launches, exhibitions and entertainment events.

Sound absorption:
The architect is concerned with amount of sound absorption in a space for any or all of the following purposes:
 To reduce noise levels.
 To shorten or prolong reverberation.
 To eliminate echo or other undesirable sound reflection.

Porous, fibrous mater such as carpets, draperies and clothing specially designed as sound adsorbing materials capable of appreciable sound absorption.

Air handing plant:
 The plant should be located as near the supply zone as possible,
 Positioned and designed (mounting, isolation, enclosure) to avoid transmission of noise and vibration.
 Access is required for maintenance and eventually replacement.
 Plant is invariably supplied as packaged units in two sets are often used to facilitate flexibility in operation and maintenance.
 In larger schemes several sets of units will usually be provided, each covering a main operation hall area of the complex.

Climatic control:
Museum has an obvious responsibilities to make certain that object in its care will survive and will remain to I communicate the future. This requires careful preservation of the material from damages and deterioration. Deterioration of an object can be various reasons such as:
 The switch from an environment to which the adopted wood panel to a certain humidity for example, to the new surroundings of the museum may in itself cause deterioration. The act of atmosphere.
 The effect of light.
It is therefore, important to create a building which either by picture forming, sculpture mounting, repair rooms etc. Paints, chemicals, plaster of Paris and other materials used may require special temperature, humidity and circulating condition Odors and chemicals used may require larger exhaust air quantities. Individual room or area zone control will generally be environmental conditions to preserve the stored items.

Required climate condition of different functions of museum as exhibit areas, work areas, offices and storage areas. Natural means for stable climatic condition is these, which will be affected by:
 Orientation
 Relation of glass to solid in the outer walls.
 The thermal capacity of the building.
 The method of natural ventilation.
 A number of factors can be engaged for particulars site.

Orientation:
The entering of solar radiation in a museum building depends upon the orientation of the building if it is naturally ventilated. Glass facing north receives the least solar radiation, glass facing south receives net least. Therefore if a building can be oriented so that most its glass faces north, it will have a much lower solar load that if the principal glass area faces east west.
The direction of wall faces makes a considerable difference in the heat impact it receives. In case of glass 100% shaded condition might indicate that orientation has little significance when glass is completely shaded. So the required climate condition is the study of cooling leads on walls.

Relation of glass to solid of the outer walls:
Since the solar lead is directly proportional to the glass area, it is obvious that the smaller windows can reduce the load. Various types of glass may be used to reduce the solar load. Large areas of glass may be used without significantly increasing the solar load if they are completely shade from direct of sun. The location of sun and the configuration of the shading device and also be reflective characteristic of the surface of which heat bounce effect greatly on the interior climatic condition.

Thermal capacity of building:
Thermal capacity of the building depends upon the various position of the sun at different time of the day. This requires thorough study of the area.

Mechanical means:
Mechanical means also exists to produce partially or fully controlled environment relatively simple device will change humidity only. More complex system will provide complete air conditioning i.e. control temperature humidity, ventilation and pollution.
Security & control:
Generally day and night patrol by custodians is considered adequate by most museum authorities. Although, some rooms might require metal sliding or collapsible shutters, as proof against theft, these precautions are quite limited in extend. Certain rooms containing particular precious exhibits may require to be locked during the night but, they should be fitted with strong gates or small shutters in the doors so that the petrol may examine the room without entering it. Photoelectric devices may protect special exhibits.
Museum Material Conservation:
The process used for preventing the damage/destruction of the museum materials, ie objects of artistic, cultural, historical or scientific importance and interest in the museums.
 In Bangladesh, museum materials are those things having more than hundred years of age, have relation with art-culture, history, literature, science and technology, philosophy and social life of human being which include palm leaf, bark and paper materials as ancient manuscripts, sanad, forman, official records, books, journals, maps, drawings, paintings; ivory objects as throne, mat, ornament box, toys; wooden objects as furniture, architectural pieces, images; design terracotta, pottery; metallic objects as house hold utensils, images, coins, swords, daggers, war weapons, copper plates; stone objects as images of Hindus' gods and goddesses, architectural pieces containing calligraphy, etc. All of these are national heritage symbols.
 Disease of museum antiquities In different museums in Bangladesh whether it is situated in urban or rural area, the common diseases observed on palm leaf, bark and paper materials, parchment, skin, hide, leather and wooden objects are various species of fungus, dampness, weak fibre strength, acidity, the whole materials becoming yellow or brown or black, stiff, brittle and innumerable tiny holes. Corrosion is a common term for mentioning the disease of metallic objects. Rust and white incrustation on iron object; black layer or patina on copper and its alloys objects, pale greenish powdery spot (bronze disease) on bronze and brass objects; tarnish on silver objects; reddish yellow layer on black basalt object; damp, white powdery surface, crack and flake off surface layer of sand stone objects; algae, lichen on stone objects, all of these represent the deteriorated condition of inorganic antiquities.
Before applying preservation treatment it is essential to know specifically the actual causes of deterioration of the materials. From the conservation point of view, museum materials are divided into two categories- (a) organic antiquities and (b) inorganic antiquities.
There are so many restoration treatments for cellulose materials like pasting, lamination, mending, patching, lining, trip lining, sizing, consolidation and impregnation. Lamination is one of the popular restoration treatment for paper materials in Bangladesh. Conservation scientists of Bangladesh National Museum prefer solvent lamination but those of Archaeological Conservation Laboratory choose heat lamination. One of the main causes of deterioration of cellulose material is oxidation. To prevent or control such reaction in the materials, antioxidant preservation treatments have been developed in the conservation and Research laboratory of Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka.
Conservation of metallic objects Thin layer of oxide on iron and lead objects is removed by brushing with dilute solution of sodium hydroxide and that on copper objects is removed by brushing with dilute solution of sulfuric acid. The tarnish on silver objects is cleaned by the treatment with the mixture of dil hydrochloric acid and EDTA (Disodium dihydrogen ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid). Each of the above cases, adequate washing with hot distilled water, drying and coating with Erealine lacquer is necessary. Bronze disease on objects is treated with the paste of silver oxide in methylated spirit.
Thick corrosion layer on metallic objects containing chloride or sulphate is cleaned by electrolytic reduction using 5% sodium hydroxide as electrolyte and steel.