Project Description

Scattered across Dhaka, old concrete water towers rise above the city — obsolete, abandoned, and often forgotten. Once vital infrastructure, they now loom over neighborhoods as empty vessels of memory. Yet for children, these structures remain magnetic: strange, towering forms that invite curiosity. This project reclaims these vertical voids as playful, healing landmarks for the city. By transforming these neglected towers into modular, multi-level spaces filled with joy, interaction, and reflection, “Waterless Wells of Wonder” breathes new life into what was once static concrete. 

The proposed intervention inserts lightweight, modular platforms and playful architectural elements within and around the tower structure — creating zones for climbing, storytelling, resting, urban gardening, and panoramic viewing. Children and families can explore, connect, and imagine together, while the community gains a renewed public node rooted in memory and growth. The design draws on placemaking, environmental psychology, and urban resilience theory to position space as a healing agent — not just for individuals but for the collective spirit of the city. These towers become vertical commons that nurture play, nostalgia, inclusivity, and ecological care — turning forgotten relics into living monuments of wonder.