Project Description

“যে জন আছে মাঝখানে, সে মূর্খ সে পাগল সে কানা" — Hirok Raja

The design proposes a dynamic architectural journey structured as a continuously transforming system of mechanically actuated stairs. Rather than offering a fixed and predictable circulation path, the architecture establishes an unstable spatial field where movement remains in constant flux. The stair system shifts, repositions, and reconfigures over time, transforming vertical circulation into an evolving spatial mechanism. 

The experience is grounded in the idea of a spatial game, inspired by familiar childhood board games such as Snake and Ladder. This reference introduces an intuitive layer of understanding for both children and adults, where movement through space becomes playful, uncertain, and emotionally charged. As in a game, progression is not guaranteed; it depends on chance, observation, and decision-making, allowing users to reconnect with childhood experiences while engaging with a complex spatial system. 

Within this environment, visitors are active participants rather than passive users. Each step demands attention and interpretation, as the shifting stair conditions require users to identify safe or correct positions to continue. The architecture functions as a spatial puzzle where movement, rhythm, and pattern recognition become essential tools for navigation. Success or failure is embedded within the system itself, producing varying emotional responses ranging from curiosity and excitement to confusion, frustration, or satisfaction. 

The journey unfolds as a sequence of shifting conditions that continuously challenge spatial certainty. Users move through moments of unpredictability, where the architecture temporarily disorients, followed by moments where patterns begin to emerge. This oscillation between control and loss of control creates an emotionally layered experience, echoing the tension and unpredictability found in gameplay. Eventually, successful navigation leads to the resolution of the system, where the moving elements align to reveal a destination. This culminates in a carefully framed panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, offering a moment of clarity and reward after a prolonged journey of uncertainty. For those who do not reach the resolution, the experience remains intentionally unresolved, reinforcing the idea that outcomes are part of the spatial narrative. 

The project translates the emotional depth of music—mystery, rhythm, tension, and release—into architectural form while embedding the cultural familiarity of childhood games into spatial experience. It positions architecture as both machine and game, where movement becomes narrative and discovery emerges through engagement with an ever-changing system.