Loading...The National Parliament House (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban) is an extraordinary example of architectural artistry, located in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. If one were to make a selection of architectural masterpieces spanning from the pyramid age to modern times, the National Parliament House of Bangladesh would undoubtedly rank at the top. It can be said that it is one of the finest examples of modern architectural style, marking the beginning of post-modernist architecture. This remarkable building is a testament to the creative and poetic expression of the American architect Louis I. Kahn. When one begins their journey in Dhaka, the first thing that comes to mind is the Parliament House area in the capital city.
The main feature of the National Parliament House lies in its grandeur. Between vast marble stone-clad concrete exterior walls, there are perfectly geometric-shaped entrances. The combination of circular and rectangular concrete formations gives the building a unique architectural beauty that is in harmony with its great purpose. At the very center of the building is the main hall of the Parliament, where the members of parliament sit. Around the central design of the hall, various other sections have been built. The main seven-story circular hall is illuminated from the roof, forming a dramatic lighting effect. The main building is surrounded by four identical office blocks at each corner for various functions. For communication, there are various types of staircases. Although the building has a square layout, it is intricately situated within an octagonal shape. Although it is a nine-story building, horizontal communication exists only on three floors. The height of the structure above the ground level is 49.68 meters.
The main building complex is divided into nine distinct sections. Of these, eight blocks are 33.53 meters high, and the central octagonal block is 47.24 meters tall. The central block consists of the Assembly Hall, which can accommodate 354 seats. The total floor area of the complex is 74,459.20 square meters in the main building, 20,717.38 square meters in the southern plaza, and 6,038.70 square meters in the northern plaza. The main entrance to the southern plaza is a wide staircase that gradually ascends to a height of 6.25 meters. In the basement, there is a parking area, the offices of the supervisory agencies, and various facilities for the main building. An artificial lake surrounds the building and connects the northern and southern plazas. The entire structure appears to float on the water. There is a grand plaza to the south and a garden adorned with rows of eucalyptus trees leading to the Presidential Square on the northern side of the building. The northern entrance has an amphitheater where various state functions take place. Beyond the northern plaza, a road runs along Crescent Lake.
The building has no columns. Hollow columns are used as part of the structure to maintain balance in the design, but these are purely structural and not functional. The building has been shaped into an extraordinary functional sculpture, primarily made of concrete. Concrete has been used as a construction material, and both the interior and exterior are constructed with poured concrete. The most significant feature of Kahn’s design is the way light has been applied throughout the building. The light entering through the roof illuminates various spaces, giving the effect of light falling from the heavens.
The design of the National Parliament House has carefully considered sunlight and rain protection. At the same time, the free movement of air has been facilitated through the large geometric triangles, rectangles, complete circles, arc segments, and flat arches on the exterior walls. The building’s structure stands as an extraordinary monument. The conventional method of placing windows on the outer walls has been avoided. Instead, large openings in the walls have been created to mitigate the inconveniences of the massive architectural design. The building’s architectural style is completely distinct from other modern buildings in Dhaka.
Rules for Visiting the National Parliament House
The external beauty of the National Parliament House is open for everyone to enjoy, and anyone can appreciate its splendor from the outside. The interior of the National Parliament House is open to visitors from Sunday to Thursday, subject to specific rules and conditions. During these days, visitors may visit the National Parliament House by following the prescribed guidelines.
For General Citizens:
Any Bangladeshi citizen can visit the National Parliament House free of charge. However, certain rules must be followed. Firstly, a general citizen must obtain permission from the Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat. After receiving permission, they will be allowed to visit the National Parliament House.
For Researchers:
Researchers wishing to visit the National Parliament House for their research work can do so by applying to the Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat. After receiving approval, they can visit the building.
For Foreign Nationals:
Foreign nationals visiting Bangladesh can visit the National Parliament House for a fee. Foreign visitors are required to pay a fee of 600 Bangladeshi Taka per person. In addition, they must complete a form and submit photocopies of their passport and visa.
How to Reach the National Parliament House
From any location in Dhaka, you can easily reach the National Parliament House by taking a CNG auto-rickshaw. If you want to travel by bus, you should head towards Farmgate. From Farmgate, you can either walk or take a rickshaw to reach the National Parliament House.
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