Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Parliament building in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban is a parliament building in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka and reaches a height of 155 meters (509 feet) with nine interconnected blocks of exposed concrete. The central building houses the main chamber beneath a parabolic shell roof, while auxiliary structures contain offices and administrative spaces.
Work began in 1961 during the East Pakistan period following designs by an American architect and extended across two decades. Completion occurred in 1982, a decade after Bangladesh gained independence, when the country was already under its own administration.
The complex takes its name from the Bengali word for National Assembly and reflects the cultural identity of the country. The perforated walls create light and shadow patterns reminiscent of traditional Musharabiyya screens and produce a filtered atmosphere in the interior spaces.
Access is subject to security checks, and some areas remain closed to the public, especially during parliamentary sessions. The sprawling grounds require time to explore, and it is advisable to choose the cooler hours of the day for a visit.
The artificial lake surrounding the building serves not only as a design element but also as natural cooling, lowering interior temperatures. The water surface optically doubles the height of the structure through reflections in calm weather.
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