Ahsania Mission Children City

BRAC University, Department of Architecture, Dhaka

Project idea

Ahsania Mission Children City
Site: Hashimpur, Jashore
Built area: 7.5 acre

The Ahsania Mission Children City will provide a safe haven and comprehensive support to orphans and street children aged 1 to 17 who are considered the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. The goal of this project is to ensure the social and economic well-being of these children through provision of nutritious meals, secure housing, essential medical care and access to formal education up to secondary level. Furthermore, the Children City will offer vocational training opportunities that aim to equip the children with various skills and knowledge, enabling them to make valuable contributions to their communities and society once they graduate from the program and leave the village.

The fundamental underpinning of the Ahsania Mission Children City project lies in its unwavering commitment to New Contextualism, an architectural ideology that emerged as a response to the limitations of both Modernism and Postmodernism. New Contextualism places a profound emphasis on considering the broader context in design, recognizing the intricate and multifaceted nature of today’s world. This approach seeks to transcend the confines of temporal design philosophies, aiming to create architectural solutions that are not only timeless but also inherently responsive to the evolving demands of the future.

Project description

The Ahsania Mission Children City project is centered around the ambitious goal of creating a space that not only shelters vulnerable children but actively integrates them into society, addressing their holistic needs. The project's foundation lies in a thorough site analysis, considering urban, economic, cultural, social, and geographical dimensions. Notably, the examination of Jessore's economic growth and government initiatives to widen the Benapole-Jessore highway corridor identifies strategic opportunities for future urban development. The site analysis uncovers a significant gap in cultural and educational amenities in the area, with residents enduring a substantial commute to access these essential services. Recognizing this need becomes a pivotal aspect of the project, emphasizing the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem that goes beyond mere shelter. The geographical water network pattern and road networks further inform potential habitation trends and connectivity in the region, guiding the project's contextual design decisions. In response to identified challenges and opportunities, the project embraces New Contextualism, acknowledging the existing context while envisioning a future-ready design. Three distinctive proposals emerge, strategically addressing different facets of the identified challenges. The first proposal focuses on an open space for children's play and entertainment, deliberately lacking boundaries to foster inclusivity and a sense of community belonging. The second proposal introduces a marketplace aligned with anticipated economic growth, serving as an economic engine for both children and the community, emphasizing economic empowerment over traditional charity. The third proposal advocates for a cultural center, filling a void in cultural facilities in the region and contributing to the enrichment of the entire neighborhood. Additionally, a pathway inspired by organic path development trends integrates into the environment, symbolizing the project's commitment to community engagement and inclusivity. The overall design decisions aim to create a holistic and community-centric environment, considering the diverse needs of the children and addressing the identified gaps in the surrounding area. By combining thoughtful responses to challenges with forward-thinking approaches, the Ahsania Mission Children City project strives to provide a comprehensive foundation for the well-being and development of vulnerable children while contributing to the broader community's enrichment and growth.

Technical information

The construction of the project is made with bricks for its durability, providing long-lasting structures resistant to fire, pests, and weathering. The strength and thermal mass of bricks contribute to energy efficiency and structural integrity. It was a sustainable choice for the project.