Project Description

Khulna Old Railway Station – A Healing Heritage Space

The Khulna Old Railway Station, built between 1882–1884, stands as a silent witness to the city’s historical, cultural, and social transformations. From its role as a key hub during the British era and the 1947 Partition to its involvement in the 1971 Liberation War, the station embodies stories of journeys, resilience, and community memory. Today, its colonial brick arches, long platforms, and Victorian-era details remain, though largely abandoned, offering a unique canvas for adaptive reuse.

Transforming the station into a healing space reconnects the community with its history while addressing contemporary social and wellness needs. The open platforms and high-arched waiting areas provide naturally ventilated, serene spaces suitable for yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. Water features inspired by the nearby Rupsha and Bhairab rivers can enhance micro-climates, create reflective zones, and symbolize continuity and renewal.

The healing concept merges heritage and community: former waiting rooms become art and storytelling zones, while gardens and shaded areas offer restorative outdoor environments. Local vendors and cultural activities enliven the space, bridging the past and present. The station, once a site of departures and arrivals, transforms into a space where people arrive to heal, reflect, and connect, blending physical, mental, and cultural wellness.

By integrating historical architecture, cultural memory, and wellness practices, the Khulna Old Railway Station evolves into a living heritage hub—a sanctuary of collective memory, community bonding, and mindful restoration.