Project Description

Reviving The History 

Design Concept:

The long-neglected depression in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts building—once envisioned by Muzharul Islam as a reflective pond—has been reimagined as a living sanctuary for rest and renewal. In place of water, an immersive “pond-walk” unfolds: two interwoven upper and lower platforms descend into the hollow, embraced by soft landscape, textured foliage, and shifting light. The design respects the existing greenery, selectively removing only unnecessary plants while reintegrating the vital trees and shrubs, allowing the design to flow organically along the living contours. This architectural topography becomes more than circulation; it is a sensory journey where the body meanders and the mind drifts. The eight departments of the Faculty of Fine Arts spill naturally into this shared refuge, while the broader DU community finds a quiet pause between lectures, studios, and labs. Visitors from surrounding buildings are naturally drawn toward the hollow, as it functions as a central space within the campus.

Design Process & Atmosphere:

Every element amplifies the healing intent. Gentle percussion of leaves in fresh air creates a rustling music only nature scores; during rain, the hollow gathers water, and droplets compose their own resonant hymn. Birdsong and insect calls weave a soundscape that replaces the city’s discord with a whisper of the wild. The platforms, integrated with native plantings, dissolve the boundary between built form and nature, allowing the contours of the earth to guide the design.

Community Impact:

Beyond its visual allure, the space addresses a social need: reconnecting students with sensory richness often erased by academic pressure and urban noise. It offers a break without departure—a setting to recharge, reflect, or engage in soft conversation beneath an open sky. In doing so, it revives the spirit of the original master plan: a communal pond of the mind, where stillness is the water and movement is the breeze.