Project Description

Buri Baithak envisions a unique adaptive reuse of the iconic wooden passenger boats that have long navigated the Buriganga River. This proposal seeks to introduce a community-driven leisure space without burdening the river with additional interventions. Rather than introducing newly produced vessels, the project proposes repurposing existing passenger boats by transforming a portion of their seating space into intimate tea stalls- offering a fresh program while preserving their original function as river transport.

Designed with sustainability in mind, each boat integrates a designated waste compartment and exclusively utilizes biodegradable paper cups to ensure zero non-biodegradable discharge into the river. This approach minimizes environmental impact while aligning the project with the urgent need for river conservation.

Sadarghat, Mitford Ghat, Showari Ghat, and Kamrangirchar have been selected as the primary sites for this intervention. The first three locations represent the vibrant commercial pulse of Old Dhaka, where bustling markets and trade junctions create dynamic urban hotspots. In contrast, Kamrangirchar offers a quieter, more introspective atmosphere, inviting visitors to experience the calmer stretch of the Buriganga's flow.

The boats offer a multilayered experience-catering to both locals and travelers. Tourists can enjoy a new vantage point of the city's riverine landscape while sipping flavourful dudh cha, while daily commuters and local communities can engage in informal conversations and adda - blending traditional leisure culture with a fresh spatial typology.

By fostering close, tactile engagement with the river in both everyday and festive settings, Buri Baithak has the potential to spark a collective awareness about the deteriorating condition of the Buriganga. This subtle yet immersive intervention aspires to generate a socio-ecological narrative-where communal participation and placemaking intertwine to advocate for the river's conservation.

The versatility of the boats allows them to adapt to seasonal and cultural festivities, opening up possibilities for diverse user interactions. The project invites the community to reinterpret and integrate this new floating typology into their existing traditions-testing how a subtle intervention can gradually weave itself into the urban, social, and cultural fabric of Puran Dhaka.