Nimontron : A tribute to Jashim Uddin

South East University, Department of Architecture, Dhaka

Project idea

This project is actually dedicated to The famous rural poet Jashim Uddin for his uncountable contribution in Bengal Literature. This project is named after his famous poem 'Nimontron / Invitation'. This is a proposed project by the Government of Bangladesh.

The site is located at Ambikapur (2km away from main town), Faridpur, Bangladesh. The poet house is belonged here. So I decided to design this project along with the existing poet house. Thus the concept formed - 'A journey from Kobi bari (poet house) to Kobi moncho (poet theater)'.

The idea is to design this project a transition from traditional to contemporary vernacular architecture to show respect for our rural culture and settlement.

Project description

After analyze the literature philosophy of Jashim Uddin I found some characteristics and these are simplicity, hospitality, rural nature and culture, rural development and strong flavor of Bengal folk. So I designed a space for the memoir of him with these features.

A simple composition of few rectangular boxes that interlocked together started a journey from the existing poet house to the poet theater at end. An axis terminated to his literature archive ( library) from the main entrance. The existing poet house designed as a memorial public space surrounded by temporary shaded structures where a fair can be arranged.

The complex encompassed with administration, restaurant, artisan, exhibition halls, library and dormitory for students. These individual zones are composed with interconnected courtyard which resembles to the rural settlement of Bangladesh.

Technical information

Inspired from the contextual building I choose brick as the main material for the complex. The pitched roof made of tile from mud. Skylight designed as spotlight and the perforated brick walls make the spaces spiritual.