Project Description

In the congested core of Puran Dhaka, where every inch of land is occupied and open breathing spaces are scarce, the abandoned old jail remains as a stark reminder of confinement and isolation. Its high, weathered walls and heavy architecture represent a past of control, separation, and silence. This project seeks to reclaim that negative space—both physically and emotionally—by transforming it into a place of openness, connection, and healing for the surrounding community.

The intervention replaces the sense of oppression with lightness and adaptability through a volumetric bamboo grid structure. This lightweight framework, draped with colorful, flowing fabrics, brings softness to the rigid jail walls, allowing sunlight, wind, and movement to animate the space. These elements not only create visual relief in the dense urban setting but also evoke feelings of joy, safety, and belonging.

 Why this site ?

This site was chosen because that abandoned  building is a rare open void situated in the center of four crowded roads of old Dhaka , and holds deep historical and emotional weight. Its heavy walls and past of confinement make it a powerful symbol for transformation—turning a place of isolation into one of openness, connection, and healing. Located amid a community with scarce public spaces, it offers a strategic opportunity to create a shared sanctuary that serves both as a physical relief and a statement of collective resilience.

 Why it’s a healing space ?

Because it is healing the memory of the site , peoples’ minds , body and the community.  The healing transformation is supported by movable seating, interactive play zones, and planter boxes filled with lush vegetation, offering sensory engagement and environmental comfort. The space is designed for flexibility—accommodating quiet reflection, small gatherings, cultural activities, and everyday social interactions.By reprogramming a site once associated with restriction into a sanctuary for rest and creativity, this 

project redefines the relationship between the community and its built heritage. It becomes a breathing pocket in the tight weave of Old Dhaka, where residents can reconnect with themselves, with each other, and with the layered history of their neighborhood