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Asif Emran Khan
Giving shape to reality is a fascinating thing to do. From a young age, I have been curious about great writers and poets and the ways they can come up with such stories and poems. Also for musicians and artists and their profound ways of expression and works. However, the best influence in this regard was left by architects and the way they give shape to space. This led me to get into Architecture.
One of the great and wonderful things I observed all around my country is the sense of festivity. The people here love to celebrate a lot. The process and scales are diverse and different, but the essence is similar. I somehow wish to explore this festive nature within the realms of architecture. Landscape Architecture seems to me a very important aspect to work on this.
MONUMENT FOR THE UNKNOWN MARTYRS, SYLHET. A DREAM CUBE : DESIGN OF A COMMUNITY CLUB ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION COMPLEX , SYLHET RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT SOUTH SURMA, SYLHET. DESIGN OF A MIXED USE COMPLEX, DHANMONDI, DHAKA.
THESIS DEVELOPMENT & CONSERVATION OF PRITHIM PASHA NAWAB BARI ESTATE, KULAURA, SYLHET.
COMPETITIONS PROFESSIONAL WORKS PAINTINGS PHOTOGRAPHY
MONUMENT FOR THE UNKNOWN MARTYRS, SYLHET. Year-2, Semester-2 We were to design a monument for 38 martyrs of Tarapur tea estate, Sylhet who were brutally killed by the Pakistani army in 1971. The site was selected near the place where the genocide took place. A black cube was used, floating on hidden strings and posts. the surrounding of the site was green tea garden. The floating cube was a visual disturbance in the serene green. It was concoction, an addition, an obstruction. A mark of that heinous crime. I wanted to make a route to the spot. So I used tunneled way to the monument, creating dramatic light ways inside the tunnel. Not until the very end of tunnel, can the visitors see the monument again, and when they do, it appears massive with an intimidating scale. The visitors then return through the roof of the tunnel with a sense of freedom.
A DREAM CUBE :
DESIGN OF A COMMUNITY CLUB Year : 3 Semester : 1
The project asked to design a community club comprising of recreational facilities and rest rooms for short time leisure stay. The idea was to organize different functions around the periphery and leaving the central space vacant and green for a refreshing hangout. the first image of the project that was perceived was a rope-swing hung from a tree. So the entry was made into a frame that framed a rope swing. The entry divided the multipurpose hall (which would hold programs and meetings) on the right and reception on the left. The access to the green outdoor was direct. The ground floor also contained the indoor sports room with the cafeteria just above it, the male and female gym and the triple height lobby space and stair that lead up to the living units. The aim was to organize the built forms along the periphery and so that the main green space was left for the guests to explore.
1. ENTRY LOBBY 2. MULTIPURPOSE HALL 3. WAITING 4. INDOOR SPORTS
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5. PRAYER SPACE 6
6. MALE GYM
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7. FEMALE GYM 3
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GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1.CAFETERIA 2. BED ROOMS
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1ST FLOOR PLAN
2ND FLOOR PLAN
ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION COMPLEX , SYLHET
YEAR 3, TERM- 2
An artist observes. He observes the intricate events of the world and seeks a truth beneath the mundane. And then he strives to express the truth in his own way. Each kind of artist, musician, writers, play makers express their story in certain different ways and yet they continue to strive in the journey for the ultimate. The truth of life, of reality is forevermore inexpressible on a canvas. The site for the complex was located in Sylhet where a thin water channel separated the site from a big urban forest. The idea was to hold a false tree on a plaza between two rectilinear parallel masses. The permanent gallery occupies the largest building whose one side faces the pseudo tree while other end faces the urban forest. The visitors walk through the gallery and climb to upper floors through a stair that sits just beside the sculpture tree. On the top floor, the visitors get to exit from the rear end of the mass that opens up the view to the urban forest. All the while, the journey within the gallery was revolved around a sculpture fake tree and at the end; they get to see the real forest with life –
a metaphor showcasing the truth and its mere expression.
They get back down through the large open stair to the plaza again, taking in the whole view of the surrounding on the way. The approach to the plaza was created by locking another form which guides to the plaza and holds the administrative functions, temporary galleries and a restaurant on top.
AUDITORIUM & SEMINAR HALLS
TEMPORARY GALLERY
RESTAURANT OFFICE
1ST FLOOR PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
2ND FLOOR PLAN
3RD FLOOR PLAN
RETHINKING RIVER FRONT AT SOUTH SURMA, SYLHET
PROPOSED PROGRAMS FOR RIVER- FRONT DEVELOPMENT
LEVEL- 4, TERM - 2 GROUP PROJECT MEMBERS: ROLE:
ASIF EMRAN KHAN & SHOVON SHAHRIAR LITERATURE STUDY, PLANNING, FUNCTION ASSIGNING, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, DETAILING, PRESENTATION
Krishti chaya :
The site given was the south bank of the river Surma, in Sylhet. It was on the outskirts of the main town with rich activity and vibrancy. We were to propose a major function for the riverfront development and develop the project along with other necessary functions. We proposed for a culture shed –‘Krishti Chaya’ Sylhet has numerous rich, old heritage involvements that is needed to be preserved and publicized. The different traditional practices and goods have no common place to demonstrate or sharing. Many are endangered, due to lack of nourishment. A ‘necessity’ for town dwellers for experiencing and celebrating cultural differences. The culture Shelter – namely ‘Krishti Chaya’ mainly is a vast open space for performances done by different cultural organizations
A massive shade that will eventually becomea landmark. Different cultural organizations will perform here at diferent times. It’s a common place for performing and sharing. ‘Chitro Mela’: open painting fair will occur here.
Restaurant:
A seasonal restaurant that will have the local varieties of seasonal cuisines and also bangla and other food.
Exhibition center:
A permanant exhibition space for exhibiting notable personals of Sylhet. Their biography, achievements and info will be exhibited. Another rentable temporary exhibition space available
Craft Shops
A range of Craft shops that will display local crafts and products, sarees etc. local men power can be utilized in this way Nursery : A healthy and resourceful flower Nursery. This will add a beautiful vibe beside the river. It will help to make the place an abode of green.
‘Mud Shop’ and Recycle Shops
Boat house The river ‘Surma’ can be used as tourist water attraction with traditional boats for tourists. It is also a way to revive the traditional boats and carry on the tradition.
WALK WAY CRAFTS MUSEUM
TREE PARK
AUDIENCE SITTING CRAFT SHOP PERFORMANCE STAGE
KRISHTI CHAYA CULTURE SHED
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
GHAT CONSERVED TEMPLE LIBRARY
AUDIENCE
CONSERVED SHRINE
CRAFTS SHOPS
COMMUNITY MOSQUE
SOFT PAVE
HAWKERS
CONSERVED SHRINE
RENOVATED MOSQUE
CONSERVED TEMPLE
LIBRARY
VENDOR SELLERS PLANT NURSERY
MUSEUM
RESTAURANT
COMMUNITY MOSQUE
LIBRARY
DESIGN OF A MIXED USE COMPLEX, DHANMONDI, DHAKA. LEVEL- 5, TERM- 1 The site for this project was at Dhanmondi, Dhaka; which is a well facilitated and developed area in the capital city. The programs included residential apartments comprising of duplex and simplex modules, a bank, a super shop, a library and a major commercial function of our choice. I opted for a crafts emporium which would store and display and exhibit a variety of rich crafts from all over the country. It was also a way to advocate the commercial growth of crafts and preserving the diverse crafts- culture of the country. The primary zoning aim was clarity. With separate entries for the commercial and residential sections, the main focus was given to the crafts emporium. It was an elevated block with an intricate faรงade inspired from the weaving texture of crafts and fabrics. It was elevated from the plaza which created a lofty scale and an open food court was given underneath to sustain a vibrant human presence. The super shop, bank, a gym and the library were placed on 1st to 4th floor respectively. The commercial and residential portions were separated by a community space on the 5th floor which had a swimming pool, a kitchenette, play zone and party space. In the residential portions the duplex modules were stacked towards the north- west side while the simplex units were positioned towards south- east with the vertical circulation running as the central spine in the middle. The project was aimed to become a vibrant Mixed Use complex which would house people so that a busy festivity could be framed while showcasing the beauty of crafts of the country.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
1ST FLOOR SUPER SHOP & FOOD COURT
2ND FLOOR BANK
3RD FLOOR CRAFT EMORIUM & LIBRARY
4TH FLOOR CRAFT EMORIUM & LIBRARY
SECTION AA’
SECTION AA’
THESIS
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION OF PRITHIM PASHA NAWAB BARI ESTATE, KULAURA, SYLHET. The Prithim Pasha Nawab Family is the aristocratic family from the Prithim pasha Union, Kulaura Upazila, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Descended from the Royal House of Bengal (Nawabs of Bengal), the family was of the erstwhile feudal nobility of East Bengal. Prithimpasha Nawab Bari is a place of tourist attraction. The family played important roles at 1857 anti-British revolution, at 1948 when Pakistan became independent from India and later when Sylhet merged with East Pakistan through referendum and in 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh. Sakhi Salamat is the founder of the family who settled here from Persia in 1499. His son Ismail Khan Lodhi was given the title Khanja Khan. A great list of historical events occurred in the region and the family was involved in great historically significant events. The project aimed to conserve the historical premises of the Prithim pasha estate and also develop a combined function to support tourist visits, local community and uphold the legacy of the family. The estate comprised of 4.1 acres of land. Being shia muslims, the Nawabs had a Shia mosque, an Imambara (a palce where the imam says sermons on Muharram), a guest house, a meeting house, two Andarmahals (inner living units), a doll house, two Deuri (entances), a huge pond called ‘Khanja Khan Dighi, two shrines and some servant quarters.
PRITHIM PASHA NAWAB BARI ESTATE SITE
ANDARMAHAL
ANDARMAHAL
VIP GUEST HOUSE/ OUTHOUSE SHIA MOSQUE
MAIN ENTRY
IMAMBARA
BAITHAK KHANA
KHANJA KHAN DIGHI
GOOGLE EARTH TOP VIEW (COMPLEX)
GRAPHICAL DOCUMENTATION OF EXISITNG BUILDINGS
FRONT ELEVATION OF PRITHIM PASHA ESTATE
SHIA MOSQUE PLAN
SHIA MOSQUE SECTION
SHIA MOSQUE FRONT ELEVATION
EAST ELEVATION OF IMAMBARA
IMAMBARA PLAN
FRONT ELEVATION OF IMAMBARA
SHIA MOSQUE SOUTH ELEVATION
ENTRANCE DEURI IN FRONT OF ANDARMAHAL
BOITHOK KHANA, 1900
SOUTH ELEVATION OF BOITHOK KHANA
GUEST HOUSE PLAN 1947
EAST ELEVATION OF BOITHOK KHANA
FRONT ELEVATION OF GUEST HOUSE
ANDARMAHAL PLAN, 1902
FRONT ELEVATION OF ANDARMAHAL
SHIA MOSQUE
MOSQUE INTERIOR
IMAMBARA FRONT ELEVATION
MEETING HOUSE
GUEST HOUSE
DOLL HOUSE
ANDARMAHAL
PIER DETAIL
NAWAB BARI ENTRANCE
The activity and location map of the main site and its surrounding was done and also the timeline of establishment was mapped. Form the analysis, a distinct pattern of roadside settlements and settlements beside water bodies was charted. From this notion, an organizing of the pathway was formulated. The stay of the Nawab’s dates back to 1614 in this region. There were numerous historically significant events that occurred here and lots of preserved relics were stored by the present decedents. The program formulation was developed in parallel with the study of the different functions and needs of the Nawabs, who were follower of the Shia branch of Islam. Even now, on the Day of Muharram, a great festival takes place in the Nawab estate. The congregation gathered around the Imambara, where the Imam gave sermons. So the need for a better preparation space for congregation was evident. The mosque was in vulnerable condition. Some restoration points were identified and a soft base was proposed to define the premises for better conservation. It was a detailed mosque which demonstrated the craftsmanship of old labors.
ACTIVITY & LOCATION MAP OF PRITHIM PASHA
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1. PARKING & ENTRY 2. PRITHIM PASHA PRIMARY SCHOOL 3. PRITHIM PASHA ORPHANAGE 4. SOUVENIR SHOPS AND STALLS 5. TICKET, GUARD ROOMS & STORE
6. CAFETARIA 7. REST HOUSE 8. PRESERVED SHRINE 9. MULTIPURPOSE HALL 10. LIBRARY
11. IMAMBARA PLAZA 12. GHAT 13. PRESEVED TIGER’S CAGE 14. ARCHIEVE 15. ARCHIEVE YARD
The main project was divided mainly in 2 parts. The conservation part- where the existing Nawab’s estate was studied, documented and steps were proposed to reconstruct, restore and preserve elements within as was needed. Changes were intended for better functional use while keeping the context of the place unchanged. It was proposed to keep the nawab’s estate as relevant to the old times as possible. Also a walkway all around the estate was proposed to showcase the Nawab’s estate from all around. As for the other part, a tourist hub was proposed for the organized exhibition and public management within the estate and some community functions which were included by the present dwellers of the Nawabs. To store and exhibit the large amount of historical artifacts, heirlooms, clothing, furniture, paintings and sculptures; an archive was proposed at the far end of the main pathway. The tourist hub contained the library, a multipurpose hall, a cafeteria and a rest house. The design of the hub was done in a low-rise humble approach so as to keep the new made structure’s prominence minimal. The community functions held the Prithim pasha orphanage, Prithim pasha primary school and also a crafts and souvenir shop which would be run by and for the locals. Each of the points were placed along the main pathway so that a sequence of events preceded leading to the entrance of the Nawab’s estate. It also made the estate secured as security was an important issue for the project.
TOURIST HUB REST HOUSE RESTAURANT
MULTIPURPOSE HALL LIBRARY
CONSERVED NAWAB’S ESTATE
The conserved part contained the main Historical Nawab structures. Certain places were identified for structural restoration. Apart from that, internal pathway circulation was redesigned to form a sequencial loop for visiotors to walk through without hampering the existing landscape. The mosque premises was defined with a soft base for better exposure , protection from mud and for holding large groups. The Imambara was defined with an extended semi hard base to mark the spot of congragation on Muharram day and also to signify entrance as the tourists enter through the Imambara to the actual Nawab’s premises. The ‘Ghats’ and the graveyard was also reconstructed and restored. All the process was done by keeping the significant pathway leading through the Nawab’s estate intact,
COMMUNITY FUNCTION PRITHIM PASHA ORPHANAGE PRITHIM PASHA PRIMARY SCHOOL
ARCHIEVE FOR EXHIBITION The Prithim Pasha Archieve sits on the terminal end of the pathway running all along the estate and will display antiques and historically significant monuments and preserved heirlooms which dates back centuries. It projects a courtyard inside with controlled corridors running all around the exhibition section.
MULTIPURPOSE HALL
A simple hall for organizing functions & programs on dierent festive days celebrated at the Nawab estate.
LIBRARY
Prithim Pasha Library will hold the huge stocks of books and documents, some of which lists back to the Mughal era, for public reading & display.
CAFETERIA
A low height rectilinear cafeteria for tourists set within the hub to enhance activity.
REST HOUSE
The rest house mimics the formation of corridors as seen in the Prithim Pasha Andarmahals and sits beside a small pond for visitors and guests staying overnight.
COMPETITIONS
ENTRY: AARHAUS ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING COMPETITION, 2013
ENTRY: COMPETITION ON LOW-COST HOUSING IDEAS, CUET, 2015
ENTRY: INTERPRETING AR. MUZHARUL ISLAM 2014
ENTRY: LIGHT & SENSES, CLUE COMPETITION. 2017 THE COMPETITION ASKED FOR IDEAS FOR ENGAGING HUMAN INTERRACTION BY USING LIGHT. THE IDEA WAS MAKING LIGHT MODULES ON TWO BANKS OF THE RIVER SURMA IN SYLHETWHICH WOULD RECIPROCATE RESPONSE ALTERNATIVELY. IF A VISITOR OCCUPIED THE MODULE ON ONE BANK, THE MIRROR MODULE ON THE OTHER WOULD LIGHT UP AND VICE VERSA. WHEN BOTH MODULES ARE ACTIVE, THEY WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO CHAT LIVE ON AN INTERACTIVE SCREEN.
ENTRY: METAMORPHOSIS, ARCASIA STUDENT COMPETITION, 2015 THE COMPETITION ASKED FOR IDEAS TO INTERPRET METAMORPHOSIS TO USE UNUSED BUILDINGS IN NEW WAYS. THE IDEA WAS TO TURN THE OLD PANAM NAGAR SITE INTO A 3D CANVAS WHERE ARTISTS AND SCULPTURES AND CREATIVE MINDS WOULD USE THE PLACE TO CREATE, SHOWCASE AND EXHIBIT THEIR WORKS. CREATORS OF ALL GENRE WILL COME AND CREATE AND THE NEW TRANSFORMATION WILL BE EXHIBITED TO VISITORS. WITH TIME, THE PLACE WOULD TRANSFORM WITH EACH CYCLE.
PROFESSIONAL WORKS
Project name: Architect’s Firm: Contact e-mail: Project location: Completion Year: Gross Built Area: Lead Architects: Other participants
Construction:
ASTANAA RESTAURANT SpaceVenture
spaceventure01@gmail.com
Amborkhana, Sylhet, Bangladesh
2017
74.32 square meters Asif Emran Khan, Avi Shiplu Local construction workers and craftsmen
IT WAS A BARREN ROOFTOP AND WE HAD TO TURN IT INTO A SMALL SCALE LOW- COST RESTAURANT. IT WAS A CHALLENGING TASK AS WE WANTED TO AVOID USING GLASS AND WANTED TO KEEP IT AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE. WE ANALYISED DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND ALSO DIFFERENT DESIGN OPTIONS. WE WANTED TO KEEP A SMALL SPACE AS OPEN TO SKY. AS WE HAD A 5 STORIED BUILDING ADJACENT TO OURS, WE HAD A COOL SHADE ALL DAY LONG. WE USED MANY RECYCLED MATERIALS AS WELL.
RESIDENCE AT GAIBANDHA
RESIDENCE AT SYLHET
6 STORIED APPARTMENT AT SYLHET site: 2350 sq.ft
PAINTINGS
FAILURE
(Acrylic on board, 24”x24”)
This painting was shortlisted and exhibited in the Berger Young Artists Competition, 2013 cycle.
THE STRUGGLE TO BREATHE
(Watercolor on Paper, 16”x20”)
THE BLISSFUL PIT
SEEKERS
EUPHORIC REPRESSION
ELORA CAVE, AURANGABAD, INDIA
RAJSHAHI
OLD DHAKA
BULAND DARWAZA, INDIA
AJANTA CAVE, INDIA
Photography