Project Description

Birulia, an island settlement near Dhaka, is one of the few places where community life still revolves around a single shared space — a central field bordered by the only school in the area. Under the shade of a century-old banyan tree, beside a mosque and a temple, people of all ages, genders, and religions gather daily. Children play, elders exchange stories, markets are held, and social bonds are strengthened. Yet, this communal zone (once the village’s vibrant heart ) is now insufficient for the growing population, while several surrounding heritage structures stand abandoned and weather-worn. 

This proposal reimagines Birulia’s central gathering place as a multi-layered healing space that nurtures memory, learning, and togetherness. At its core is the restoration of an abandoned heritage building, adaptively reused as a public library. Directly connected to the school compound, it becomes both an educational extension and a civic anchor, bridging generations through shared knowledge. 

For people, the library offers quiet reading rooms, digital resources, and workshops for students and residents. Broad verandas open toward the field, blending learning with play. For the community, the design links school, field, and library into a seamless public realm. The field gains shaded seating, inclusive play zones, and seasonal market areas, encouraging daily use and diverse gatherings. For the planet, adaptive reuse preserves heritage and reduces construction waste, while sustainable strategies  passive cooling, rainwater harvesting, and native planting foster ecological resilience. 

Together, these interventions transform Birulia’s heart into a living commons — a place that heals through beauty, connection, and belonging.