Entresol On The Horizon: Generating A Cultural & Learning Platform for The Haor Area Community in Mithamain, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh.

Description:

The Kishorganj wetlands, a significant geographical expanse within the Bengal delta and historically a part of the Greater Mymensingh district, stand as a remarkable testament to the intricate interplay between environment and culture. This unique region distinguishes itself not only through its profound cultural heritage and diverse ethnological background but also through its pristine natural wetland ecology and dynamic waterscape. Indeed, the very topography of the landscape, characterized by the fluid and ever-evolving relationship between land and water, has profoundly shaped the cultural identity and traditions of its inhabitants.
The cultural fabric of the Haor (wetland) area community is richly woven with threads of folk literature, material culture, folk theatres, vibrant festivals, age-old rituals, distinctive musical instruments, traditional ware and ornaments, unique architectural styles, insightful proverbs and deeply held beliefs, and shared values and symbols. These multifaceted practices, often originating in antiquity and meticulously acquired by individuals and groups over generations, represent a cumulative repository of knowledge. This knowledge, deeply rooted in the regional context yet holding significant national value, now faces an imminent threat of extinction. The pervasive and often uncritical adoption of modernization and alien cultural influences poses a significant risk to the continuity of these traditions.
Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, this project focuses directly on the Kishorganj wetland community. Its central aim is to establish a robust cultural platform that empowers the local populace to actively promote and safeguard their tangible and intangible cultural heritage. This will be achieved through a multi-pronged approach encompassing educational initiatives designed to transmit cultural knowledge, the vibrant celebration of local festivals to reinforce community identity and cultural practices, and the creation of immersive experiences that allow individuals to connect deeply with the essence of their cultural traditions. By fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their unique cultural landscape, this project endeavors to counteract the homogenizing pressures of modernization and ensure the enduring legacy of the Kishorganj wetlands' rich cultural heritage for future generations.

The Design of the Rural Cultural Center respects Bangladesh’s north-eastern haor's (natural wetland) context and nature, maintaining its original identity and vastness. It aligns with natural environment, blending with the topography. Site forces are carefully utilized to avoid overpowering the haor's openness. Critical challenges like half-yearly flooding and soil erosion are addressed with natural solutions through detailed analysis. The design's metamorphosis elaborately considers and resolves site restrictions using natural solutions, natural resources, elements, traditional vernacular practices, and knowledge.

The design is site and context-responsive, nature-oriented, and self-sustainable, aiming to create an experience that promotes the region's culture. Key features include some interplaying spaces, simple spatial relationships, minimal geometry, consideration of natural barriers and ethnic social components, analysis of existing and lost structural and cultural elements, and the application of every relevant aspect. The project successfully balances aesthetics and functionality, achieving its intended purpose without excess or deficiency. This holistic approach to site emphasized and context responsiveness defines the project's success.

Profile of the Site:

Location: Mithamain upazila
District: kishoreganj
Authority: Ministry of cultural affairs, Govt. Of Bangladesh
Site area: 5.1 acres

Project theme:

A Rural Cultural & Learning Center.
A platform for promoting and archiving haor area culture through educational and cultural activities among the regional community.

Significance of the project:

-The ongoing process of the decline of haor area cultures can be decimated by invigorating the artistic & cultural activities of indigenous culture
-Local ways of life, literature, and music can get national and international appreciation through the practice, teaching, and spreading of performing and visual arts
-Facilitating a waterborne society along with its norms and customs.
-The “half-yearly (semi-annual) flood” issue can be both a formidable geographic challenge and an opportunity for the design process.
-Having the scope to learn about the local architectural treatment of establishments and also riverine conversations between earth and water.

Project Goal:
-Generating a cultural platform for the haor area community by invigorating the artistic and cultural practices of haor culture through training and practicing

Project Objective:
-Invigorate the declining culture of the haor area culture by including the indigenous community in the project
-To conserve the local culture, norms and practices of the area that ensured resilience
-To save the rich history of the haor( water-prone) area and appreciate it

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