Chhayanaut: An architectural take on restoring a cultural hub
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Chhayanaut: An architectural take on restoring a cultural hub

This building has a natural allure that instantly changes one’s mood as soon as they step into its biosphere. The building consists of several classrooms, a library, a recording room, a research facility, admin facilities, and an auditorium laid around a lofty atrium space that is naturally lit by the sun
Chhayanaut: An architectural take on restoring a cultural hub

Habitat

Sadiqul Islam Shehab
08 June, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 08 June, 2021, 01:01 pm

Related News

  • Noor residence: A retreat to fond memories
  • The architecture of tomorrow mimics nature to cool the planet
  • Bangabandhu Military Museum: When architecture brings bravery and history to life
  • Setback and relax: The best way to make use of the free space hemming your building
  • National Public Library and the National Museum renovation: A bold vision for the future

Chhayanaut: An architectural take on restoring a cultural hub

This building has a natural allure that instantly changes one’s mood as soon as they step into its biosphere. The building consists of several classrooms, a library, a recording room, a research facility, admin facilities, and an auditorium laid around a lofty atrium space that is naturally lit by the sun

Sadiqul Islam Shehab
08 June, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 08 June, 2021, 01:01 pm

The Chhayanaut Shangskriti-Bhavan is a structure that is representative of the definition of a practical design solution that facilitates a truly Bangali cultural revolution. A masterpiece designed by the late architect, urban planner, and educator Bashirul Haq between 2001 and 2002, the Chhayanaut building is a sanctuary on one of the busiest roads of Dhaka. 

Chhayanaut, as an organisation, is a school providing music, singing, and dance lessons. It has a strong link with the search for the true Bangali cultural identity, from its foundation in 1961. During the construction of its permanent space in Dhanmondi, the whole nation was mobilised to participate in the process. In the early twentieth century, a project like this was materialised through a surprising concept of crowdfunding. The funds for the construction phase were literally raised through many individual contributions by Chhayanaut alumni and citizens of the country. The Government of Bangladesh in fact only contributed the land.

From an architectural point of view, this was quite a challenging project. With a limited 1,338 square meters of land and a crowdfunded budget, the architect had to design and build a dream for the Bangali people. Despite these tons of constraints, a symbolic landmark has been established and the citizens got to access it from 2006. Very few places can be mentioned as a cultural building of this stature. 

Reflextion of Bashirul Haq's material usage. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates
Reflextion of Bashirul Haq's material usage. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates

Architect Bashirul Huq's concept behind Chhayanaut Shangskriti-Bhavan

Bashirul Haq as an architect has always shown a keen interest in finding the roots of traditional values, motifs, textures, and material practices of the Bengal delta. Chhayanaut Shangskriti-Bhavan project was one of his cherished brainchildren. Every fixture, starting from the large windows to the indoor signage, was designed in simple but stunning details. 

Professor Firdous Azim, wife of the late architect, says, "The ideology of Bashir and that of Chhayanaut was very much aligned in terms of what was needed as a built identity for the cultural movement of Chhayanaut. He was deeply involved with this particular project." 

And that's what transforms an architectural structure to an iconic space. 

Bashirul Haq perceived the building as a media that reflects the openness and accessibility of Chhayanaut, flanked by lush greenery, stepping inside from the busy road. 

Patch of natural invitation near the entrance. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates
Patch of natural invitation near the entrance. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates

This building stands strikingly apart from its commercial neighbours, wearing the Bashirul Haq's signature look of exposed red brick combined with natural greens. This treatment was initially conceived to achieve the functional buffer that blocks the external noise of this bustling city. 

This attempt to create natural isolation for the school is a great example for the new generation of architects, especially in this time of global concern to save planet earth.

A practical approach to prioritise the street front as the face of the organisation has been welcomed by both cultural enthusiasts and people in general. 

The building also serves as the schooling place for 'Nalanda Bidyaloy' during the daytime on weekdays. To reduce the noise and bustle, the municipality also relocated the nearby bus stop, considering the atmosphere for an educational institution.

The entrance area on the ground floor below the atrium. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates

Openness within the walls

Rather than being a congested space, the interior opens up beyond the entrance- almost like a courtyard in our village homes. This creates an atmosphere of connectivity and fluid interaction in a harmonious manner. 

In this age of globalisation, indoor activities instantly feel like a glimpse of a lost culture that we hold so closely to the heart of Bangladeshis. 

Basanti Sannyasi is a professional who has been engaged with Chhayanaut for almost a decade now. According to her, "I have always felt this compound is a peaceful breathing space within the megacity."

Simple circulations make the institution an easily accessible one for its students and instructors. Beautiful details of perforation on walls and railing actually enhance the visual connection between spaces, providing the required level of privacy and enclosure. 

This building has a natural allure that instantly changes one's mood as one steps into its biosphere. 

The building consists of several classrooms, a library, a recording room, a research facility, admin facilities, and an auditorium laid around a lofty atrium space that is naturally lit.

Design details of doors, windows and railings. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates
Design details of doors, windows and railings. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates

Designed to ensure natural light and air circulation

The atrium space enhances the ventilation between floors, right up to the roof, and naturally cools down the indoor spaces. This atrium and rows of large windows have been introduced to minimise the usage of air conditioners, thus minimising the operational cost. 

The windows one can see from the outside have traditional 'khirki' (horizontal perforation) details and careful integration of glass panels with wooden frames.

Moreover, the Chhhayanaut auditorium has been acting as a performance area and also a rendezvous point for public programmes. 

The most interesting element to notice is the open seating arrangement that allows a lot more audience to sit there than the usual compact space capacity.

The atrium spreading the sunlight. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates
The atrium spreading the sunlight. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates

Locally-sourced materials

Throughout the entire building, spaces have been adorned with locally sourced material like burnt brick and wood. 

As a whole, the red bricks, grey concrete, wooden fixtures, and furniture combined create a more natural-looking earthy ambience all around. 

And moreover, sustainable design approaches and humble details value our traditional ethos and practices.

At this point, the critical mind questions the scalability of this ethos and practices in our society. We have more and more people migrating to Dhaka, and one institute, one building cannot sustainably serve our needs. 

Design details of doors, windows and railings. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates
Design details of doors, windows and railings. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates

The result is evident. Chhayanaut has enrolled more students and has been utilising the facility round the clock between music lessons, dance lessons, and Nalonda school. 

On the weekends there are more people accessing the building.  We have more vehicles on the streets that bring more noise and crowd to the nearby street. 

The design solution to reduce external noise now barely serves the purpose.  Nowadays, with the much-expanded city population, the auditorium also feels inadequate for some. 

The Lobby is adorned with natural light ventilation and wooden furniture. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates
The Lobby is adorned with natural light ventilation and wooden furniture. Photo: Bashirul Huq and Associates

But what Chhayanaut has shown is a motivation for many activists and cultural organisations. From 2006 the design technology has excelled much and social expectations of this generation align more with sustainable placemaking. 

Someday, we can hope for more public places like this to avail; they can be indoor facilities like this or an outdoor sanctuary with natural regenerative landscape open for all.


Sadiqul Islam Shehab, is an architect, designer, and urban thinker based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Features / Top News

Chhayanaut / Chhayanaut Shangskriti-Bhavan / Chhayanaut Bhavan / architectural building / Architectural / architectural beauty / architectural performance / Cultural hub / Bashirul Haq

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • No document needed to avail cash incentives for remittance over Tk5 lakh
    No document needed to avail cash incentives for remittance over Tk5 lakh
  • File photo of Square Pharma factory
    Square Pharma fire yet to come under control: Fire service
  • File Photo: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid/UNB
    Russia has offered to sell crude oil to Bangladesh: Nasrul

MOST VIEWED

  • The reception is a volumetric box-shaped room that has two glass walls on both the front and back ends and the other two walls are adorned with interior plants, wood and aluminium screens. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
    The United House: Living and working inside nature
  • Worshipers bowing in front of the Granth Sahib inside the prayer hall. Photo: Noor A Alam
    Gurdwara Nanak Shahi: A structure that holds the memory of Sikhs in Bangladesh
  • The home is bright, naturally lit, and aerated as possible, resonating the namesake ‘Noor’. Photo: Noor A Alam
    Noor residence: A retreat to fond memories
  • Authentic kintsugi items are very expensive as the repairs are usually done in real gold, and the process takes a long time. Photo: Unsplash
    DIY Kintsugi: Break it to beautify it
  • The living room has a  deep green wall which  doesn’t clash with the rest of the design ethos. Rather, it complements nature and holds the entire space together. Photo: Courtesy
    How ‘product design and technology’ led an engineer to design an apartment
  • (From left to right) Saraf Fardeen, Farhana Shikder, Nazia Naf. Photo: Courtesy
    The rise of the home-decor influencers

Related News

  • Noor residence: A retreat to fond memories
  • The architecture of tomorrow mimics nature to cool the planet
  • Bangabandhu Military Museum: When architecture brings bravery and history to life
  • Setback and relax: The best way to make use of the free space hemming your building
  • National Public Library and the National Museum renovation: A bold vision for the future

Features

Musk is denying the sexual harassment allegation that surfaced this week. Photo: Bloomberg

Elon Musk’s crazily banal week 

1h | Panorama
Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

5h | Brands
Keep your phone by your side with this armband

Keep your phone by your side with this armband

2h | Brands
Are Focallure gel masks worth the hype?

Are Focallure gel masks worth the hype?

3h | Brands

More Videos from TBS

Photo: TBS

Can Sri Lanka bounce back?

5h | Videos
How to apply for a job at Oxfam

How to apply for a job at Oxfam

6h | Videos
Investors, public to suffer from electricity price hike

Investors, public to suffer from electricity price hike

18h | Videos
Health benefits of summer fruits

Health benefits of summer fruits

19h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
A packet of US five-dollar bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
Banking

Dollar hits Tk100 mark in open market

3
PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire
Crime

PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire

4
Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
Bangladesh

Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi

5
BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies
Stocks

BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies

6
The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter
Industry

The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab