Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban should be recognised as a world heritage site and preserved, along with its premises, in the way planned by its architect, Luis I Kahn, said speakers at the launching of an exhibition.
“Silence in the crowd: Sketches of National Parliament Building of Bangladesh” is the 8th solo exhibition of architect Dr Sajid Bin DOZA Bonny, assistant professor of architecture at BRAC University, at Alliance Française de Dhaka.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest on Friday, 3 August 2018.
He said the parliament building felt like a living entity with heartbeats and blood flowing through its veins and to which one could talk to and touch while the surrounding water gave the sensation that one was floating.
Kazi Golam Nasir, chief architect, Department of Architecture, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and president, Institute of Architects Bangladesh, informed that there were over 8,000 sketches, photographs and documents of Kahn in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, all collected from the archives of the University of Pennsylvania.
Eminent architect and poet Rabiul Husain, present as the guest of honour, advocated for decentralising Dhaka so that the pressure of the population decreases.
Elite Paint & Chemical Industries Ltd Director Shajir Ahmed was the special guest while Alliance Française de Dhaka President M Abdul Majid Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
The exhibition will remain open for all till 11 August 2018, Monday to Thursday from 3:00pm to 9:00pm and Friday to Saturday from 9:00am to 12:00noon and from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.