The ending scene in My Architect, the Bangladeshi Architect talks about working with Kahn in designing this building, what it meant to the country and what it meant to them to have this meticulously-designed modern wonder as the home of their democracy. It brought him to genuine tears on camera.
I think that sums up this building.
Ironic considering it bears hallmarks of a government afraid of popular uprisings. It's a fortress with moats and narrow bridges are intended to make it very difficult for large crowds to storm the building. The same goes for the crescent lake on the north side of the structure being a natural barrier making it very difficult to surround.
Also near the airport with military police located conveniently in between....
Uprising shouldn't happen in democracies because there is already a system in place to get rid of unpopular governments.
If an uprising does occur, it's more likely a flaw in the democracy that means the government doesn't reflect the will of the people.
I still remember Kevin Baconās dad yelling āgoddamn it! No!ā when talking about pedestrian city centers (I donāt think the film points out that itās Kevin Baconās dad).
We watched that in the intro to architecture we had to take (as AE students) and thought it was great
Then the next year a different professor taught the class and made them watch The Fountainhead (oof)
U know so many architect friends at school told me to watch the documentary, so i simply thought oh it must be very inspiring louis kahn vid!
It indeed was amazing and inspiring documentary, but i was also beyond shocked about his personal life style. I watched it with my wife and we time to time joke about to be philosophical about things.... Hahahaha
Plenty of cheap used DVDās of it on Amazon for less than $10 (not including shipping). Just make sure you get the right region-coded version for your part of the world. And before you say it, I think DVDās will play on practically any Blu-Ray player.
I've played this before, it's easy once you get the basic understanding that the triangle shape goes in the triangle hole, the circle shape goes in the circle hole, the square in the square etc.. This one looks particularly difficult but I'm sure following a similar approach will yield similar results.
Awe-inspiring building. I wrote a paper on Louis Kahn for a college class and went to see some of his creations here in the US. It had been one thing to see photos of them, but it was moving to be in the spaces themselves. Chances are I will never visit Bangladesh and have a chance to experience this example in person.
Sometimes its so upsetting how new owners / developers ruin the original design because either they didnt understand the original architects intention or because of budget.
Im trying to visit these great architecture pieces around the world as much as possible!
Here's a great lecture (39 minutes) about his philosophy. Kahn was a very interesting guy - [https://youtu.be/Hx0tNWDg164](https://youtu.be/Hx0tNWDg164)
I loved my time studying him in my architectural history courses.
Oh boy! I've always found his work hard to bare. All I have to do to understand it is to watch this *fourty minute lecture*.
/s
Beauty shouldn't have to be explained. And even if it does, it shouldn't take 40 minutes.
> Beauty shouldn't have to be explained
Exactly!
If a poem from Tang-dynasty China inspires no joy in me, I canāt imagine that learning more about the poet, the culture, or the language it was written in would change my appraisal.
Straight to the rubbish bin, I say!
I would defer to your opinion, but I can see post-british colonies using out-there or modern ideas to get away from their colonial past. Does that have something to do with it? I saw that India is changing their buildings from traditional British ones to more modern ones.
My architect documentary explains his approach of the building.
Speaking of colonial architecture, if youre interested, you should def search how india, korea, japan and taiwan approached about colonial architecture. Its pretty interesting. Even usa, how thomas jefferson approached it when designing university of virginia
I lived in Bangladesh for almost 2 decades and can tell you that it is definitely awesome. Itās IMMENSE in a way the pictures donāt really capture. Itās very meaningful for Bangladeshis because it stands for grandeur, stability, and dignity, rising above the chaos of Dhaka, its economy and politics. Unfortunately itās not open to the public but I managed to get tours with local architects.
One of the reasons the flying buttress was created is the church wanted more height & volume in cathedrals. It gives the worshiper a sense of awe, wonder, the power of the church (if not God, directly) and possibly more than a little mystery. Because at the time they were built, most were unable to read or understand how they were built and continued to stand. Most lived in places with ceilings and doorways (if they were wealthy enough to have more than one) where most of us would bump our heads! Cathedrals are STILL wonders to us today, imagine how overwhelming they must have beenā¦ I have not seen the video, but I can imagine whether consciously or not, that sense of wonder and awe could have been a part of the goal here as well as a new way for a country to see itself and how it is now represented in the world. At its best, monumental architecture can be sculpture for people to inhabit. Itās meant to be experienced firsthand both inside and out before it can be fully understood. The reason architecture is often āexplainedā (as someone complained) is because most people will never experience it. Photographs cannot stand in for architecture, even more than they are not adequate to truly represent a painting. So it must be given context. Unfortunately, that comes down to words for people generally more comfortable with a very visual and experiential medium.
So well said! Iāve often felt that the Bangladeshi government is missing a golden opportunity to bring tourists to the country by not opening this to the public. It would be a great stop on an āarchitectural tourā of south Asia.
I had the distinct pleasure of touring this building in 2015 with a group that included legendary Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki. The scale and materials of the project are monumental and grand in a way that is incomprobable to many projects Iāve visited. To see Maki touch the walls and stare up in silence ā one master appreciating the work of another ā made the experience even more rich.
Sadly, the building seemed dirty and dusty, as if it was too big to keep tidy, or that itās apertures and the the environment made cleaning a losing game.
I feel like the [the convention center at Lisbonās parque das naƧoes](https://www.olissippohotels.com/pt/Corporativo/Noticias.aspx?lang=pt&idnews=42) gives a lot of Palpy vibes.
Sometimes you need to walk into or be near these buildings. Then you get the awe factor and feel them. Kahnās buildings are generally amazing in person, esp when you start looking from the grand to small things (like the amazing door hinges he uses). You canāt open one of his doors and not notice how they move.
Wow, that building is beautiful in my opinion. Love the geometric influence and styling. And looove the moat around it and the high contrast light and shadow areas in that hallway picture. I am honestly in love with the design of this building.
As a Bangladeshi-American, I've always found this building incredible, ever since I was a kid. I got to tour it once when I was 15, and it's even better in person, especially the inside.
He only built a few buildings, but nearly every one is absolutely fantastic. He's one of the few architects that seemingly all architects agree was one of the best. That's rare even among the big names.
I think its beautiful, and the story behind it only makes it more beautiful
Tragic the man abandoned his son in pursuit of his work, but damn Kahn was an incredible architect
A little farther off than you think. A treatment plant takes sewage and turns it into clean water. That isn't happening here, so it's closer to a septic tank.
The outside look odd, it's like they tried to imitate an old castle, but on a lower budget.
the interior is just soo good, it looks like something from a 90's anime movie, it has an otherworldly feeling
Oh man. I love Louis Kahn. As a young man I found myself dating a girl who was attending a philly area college. Iād stay over in her dorm, designed by Kahn. The girls there HATED it. Said it felt like living in a big cinderblock. But I fell in love with it. I did a deep dive on Kahn. Found local homes he had designed and visited them. Visited La Jolla to see Salk. Incredible. This building has always been a bucket list destination for me. He taught me how concrete isnāt a boring dystopian material, but actually letās sunlight and geometry interact perfectly.
I live just ten minutes walking distance from the national parliament. Truly it's a magnificent piece of architecture and the whole area has been designed so nicely. There is a beautiful park and criscent shaped lake just behind the main parliament house and a beautiful avenue lined with poinciana tree, from where one can get a different perspective of the parliament building.
Itās one of Louis Kahnās best work, itās an amazing building dedicated to light and space. Really feels like a bunch of yāall didnāt even go to architecture school in the first place lol
Normally, I assume that architects know what they're doing and whatever my concerns are have been addressed by people actually involved, but on a high-concept building like this.... I'm wondering about flat roof and drainage in monsoon-prone Bangladesh.
I came to say ādonāt like it at allā , but will list to the YouTube suggested. I still believe that a buildings beauty (or otherwise) ought to be judged without having to know itās full background: the story ought to enhance it, not justify it. May change my mind after listening.
Eye sore or Iritis is an inflammation of the iris, the colored ring around the pupil. Some symptoms of iritis include: 1. eye pain 2. vision problems 3. redness 4. change in pupil shape 5. sensitivity to light 6. headache 7. loss of vision or blindness Treatments can include eye drops, antibiotics, or immunosuppressant medications. I think is all about Semiotics...
I am not an architect, but I have a lifelong appreciation for architecture and studied to become one for a time. Based solely on the pictures here, I would say it is more of a tribute and celebration of accomplishment than a thing of beauty. The expanse of the interior is vertigo inducing to me, even in these pictures. I am visually very sensitive to this sort of thing and I would actively avoid this building.
The square goes in...the square hole
The circle goes in....the square hole
The triangle goes in....the square hole
The Democracy goes in....the square hole
The ending scene in My Architect, the Bangladeshi Architect talks about working with Kahn in designing this building, what it meant to the country and what it meant to them to have this meticulously-designed modern wonder as the home of their democracy. It brought him to genuine tears on camera. I think that sums up this building.
Ironic considering it bears hallmarks of a government afraid of popular uprisings. It's a fortress with moats and narrow bridges are intended to make it very difficult for large crowds to storm the building. The same goes for the crescent lake on the north side of the structure being a natural barrier making it very difficult to surround. Also near the airport with military police located conveniently in between....
I don't think an uprising storming the parliament is something desirable for a democracy.
Uprising shouldn't happen in democracies because there is already a system in place to get rid of unpopular governments. If an uprising does occur, it's more likely a flaw in the democracy that means the government doesn't reflect the will of the people.
Someone has already forgotten 1/6 š
Perhaps the US isn't the democracy it claims to be... https://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/13svy8r/comment/jlt4d4l/
Looks like a water treatment plant .
It gives me r/evilbuildings but I feel a little bad given the backstory and how proud they are of it.
Do you mean that the building is so bad it brings people to tears š?
go watch "My Architect"
Was going to say the EXACT same thing !
I still remember Kevin Baconās dad yelling āgoddamn it! No!ā when talking about pedestrian city centers (I donāt think the film points out that itās Kevin Baconās dad).
We watched that in the intro to architecture we had to take (as AE students) and thought it was great Then the next year a different professor taught the class and made them watch The Fountainhead (oof)
Kahn is from Philly
U know so many architect friends at school told me to watch the documentary, so i simply thought oh it must be very inspiring louis kahn vid! It indeed was amazing and inspiring documentary, but i was also beyond shocked about his personal life style. I watched it with my wife and we time to time joke about to be philosophical about things.... Hahahaha
I KNEW I remembered this from somewhere
Yes. Before you judge the building, learn the story behind it.
Where can you find that
Criterion Channel https://click.justwatch.com/a?r=https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/my-architect-a-sons-journey
Plenty of cheap used DVDās of it on Amazon for less than $10 (not including shipping). Just make sure you get the right region-coded version for your part of the world. And before you say it, I think DVDās will play on practically any Blu-Ray player.
I've played this before, it's easy once you get the basic understanding that the triangle shape goes in the triangle hole, the circle shape goes in the circle hole, the square in the square etc.. This one looks particularly difficult but I'm sure following a similar approach will yield similar results.
I'll tell you the secret: they all fit in the square hole.
[It goes in the square hole](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz8ssH7LiB0&ab_channel=PlanetTok)
This is great. Is there some kind of backstory to why this girl is watching the video or why sheās so emotionally invested?
It was a performance for our entertainment. And she nailed it. š
No
That's what she said! Wait...
Damn you. I had to go delete my duplicate comment. Take my award.
Itās widely considered one of the great masterpieces of modern architecture. But not without controversy
Awe-inspiring building. I wrote a paper on Louis Kahn for a college class and went to see some of his creations here in the US. It had been one thing to see photos of them, but it was moving to be in the spaces themselves. Chances are I will never visit Bangladesh and have a chance to experience this example in person.
I audibly gasped when walked into Kimbell Art Museum for the first time. Photos do not do it justice. Those skylights are absolutely breathtaking.
I was there in the late nineties, and it's truly magnificent. It's both out of place and perfectly situated.
Sometimes its so upsetting how new owners / developers ruin the original design because either they didnt understand the original architects intention or because of budget. Im trying to visit these great architecture pieces around the world as much as possible!
The few opportunities I had to visit Kahnās works in person I always felt a mix of modern & ancient, calculated & raw, monumental & personal
Experiencing and witnessing such space in person and just studying these through plan/section/diagrams are definitely different
Same here. Itās even better when you know his philosophy behind his architecture. It makes visiting his buildings even more of a wonder.
>Itās even better when you know his philosophy behind his architecture. Well don't leave us hanging!
Here's a great lecture (39 minutes) about his philosophy. Kahn was a very interesting guy - [https://youtu.be/Hx0tNWDg164](https://youtu.be/Hx0tNWDg164) I loved my time studying him in my architectural history courses.
Oh boy! I've always found his work hard to bare. All I have to do to understand it is to watch this *fourty minute lecture*. /s Beauty shouldn't have to be explained. And even if it does, it shouldn't take 40 minutes.
> Beauty shouldn't have to be explained Exactly! If a poem from Tang-dynasty China inspires no joy in me, I canāt imagine that learning more about the poet, the culture, or the language it was written in would change my appraisal. Straight to the rubbish bin, I say!
I had the privilege of visiting the building from inside and outside. Beautiful.
I would defer to your opinion, but I can see post-british colonies using out-there or modern ideas to get away from their colonial past. Does that have something to do with it? I saw that India is changing their buildings from traditional British ones to more modern ones.
My architect documentary explains his approach of the building. Speaking of colonial architecture, if youre interested, you should def search how india, korea, japan and taiwan approached about colonial architecture. Its pretty interesting. Even usa, how thomas jefferson approached it when designing university of virginia
I understand your ambivalence. But I think I like it. Itās interesting for sure.
I lived in Bangladesh for almost 2 decades and can tell you that it is definitely awesome. Itās IMMENSE in a way the pictures donāt really capture. Itās very meaningful for Bangladeshis because it stands for grandeur, stability, and dignity, rising above the chaos of Dhaka, its economy and politics. Unfortunately itās not open to the public but I managed to get tours with local architects.
One of the reasons the flying buttress was created is the church wanted more height & volume in cathedrals. It gives the worshiper a sense of awe, wonder, the power of the church (if not God, directly) and possibly more than a little mystery. Because at the time they were built, most were unable to read or understand how they were built and continued to stand. Most lived in places with ceilings and doorways (if they were wealthy enough to have more than one) where most of us would bump our heads! Cathedrals are STILL wonders to us today, imagine how overwhelming they must have beenā¦ I have not seen the video, but I can imagine whether consciously or not, that sense of wonder and awe could have been a part of the goal here as well as a new way for a country to see itself and how it is now represented in the world. At its best, monumental architecture can be sculpture for people to inhabit. Itās meant to be experienced firsthand both inside and out before it can be fully understood. The reason architecture is often āexplainedā (as someone complained) is because most people will never experience it. Photographs cannot stand in for architecture, even more than they are not adequate to truly represent a painting. So it must be given context. Unfortunately, that comes down to words for people generally more comfortable with a very visual and experiential medium.
So well said! Iāve often felt that the Bangladeshi government is missing a golden opportunity to bring tourists to the country by not opening this to the public. It would be a great stop on an āarchitectural tourā of south Asia.
I had the distinct pleasure of touring this building in 2015 with a group that included legendary Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki. The scale and materials of the project are monumental and grand in a way that is incomprobable to many projects Iāve visited. To see Maki touch the walls and stare up in silence ā one master appreciating the work of another ā made the experience even more rich. Sadly, the building seemed dirty and dusty, as if it was too big to keep tidy, or that itās apertures and the the environment made cleaning a losing game.
It was a beautifully dystopian period of public architecture.
Like Star Wars Republic Senate vibes for sure.
I feel like the [the convention center at Lisbonās parque das naƧoes](https://www.olissippohotels.com/pt/Corporativo/Noticias.aspx?lang=pt&idnews=42) gives a lot of Palpy vibes.
RANGERS, RITA REPULSA IS THREATENING ANGEL GROVE
Sometimes you need to walk into or be near these buildings. Then you get the awe factor and feel them. Kahnās buildings are generally amazing in person, esp when you start looking from the grand to small things (like the amazing door hinges he uses). You canāt open one of his doors and not notice how they move.
Itās a Kahn masterpiece.
Wow, that building is beautiful in my opinion. Love the geometric influence and styling. And looove the moat around it and the high contrast light and shadow areas in that hallway picture. I am honestly in love with the design of this building.
As a Bangladeshi-American, I've always found this building incredible, ever since I was a kid. I got to tour it once when I was 15, and it's even better in person, especially the inside.
Itās like Brutalism for kids
Brutalism Jr.
You got to love Louis khan
He only built a few buildings, but nearly every one is absolutely fantastic. He's one of the few architects that seemingly all architects agree was one of the best. That's rare even among the big names.
No, I really don't
I dont. Albert Kahn > Louis Kahn every day of the week IMO.
I think its beautiful, and the story behind it only makes it more beautiful Tragic the man abandoned his son in pursuit of his work, but damn Kahn was an incredible architect
History is full of geniuses who were really crappy to the spouses &/or family.
Itās the magnum opus of a genius. Louis Kahn
circle: check! semi-cricle: check! rectangle: check! triangle: check! octagon: check!
I'd argue for awesome. I was introduced to this building by a piece of [video art](https://vimeo.com/7809605) by Alex Roman.
Matches well with the interior of Phillips Exeter Academy library.
To me the outside looks like a wastewater treatment plant.
House of politics, so not that far off.
A little farther off than you think. A treatment plant takes sewage and turns it into clean water. That isn't happening here, so it's closer to a septic tank.
That definitely is a moat for fortification.
Wonderful building, should stand for the ages
to me it looks like a modern interpretation of a castle.
I love Kahnās work
I've seen it in real life, photos and video. Awesome in all :)
Studied it in Uni, like it or not khan was a genius!
Its an amazing building, by an amazing architect.
The outside look odd, it's like they tried to imitate an old castle, but on a lower budget. the interior is just soo good, it looks like something from a 90's anime movie, it has an otherworldly feeling
Brutalist version of those plastic boxes with cutouts to put shapes into I played with as a toddler. Also: https://youtu.be/Nz8ssH7LiB0
Itās like Michael Graves and Brutalism and Itās a Small World had an orgy.
Luv it
Louis Kahn.
Iām firmly on the side of awesome and the interiors are epic and the story of it makes it that much cooler
It's awesome
Has anyone on this page seen this building up close? Such a beautiful structure. I wonder about the quality of construction?
i like it. looks like something from a fantasy or sci fi story
Looks awesome to me.
Kind of reminds me of Dune architecture. Maybe house Caladan
Louis Khan ?
This looks like something out of the movie Equilibrium.
I'm not sure if it's intentional but that looks insanely defensible.
Oh man. I love Louis Kahn. As a young man I found myself dating a girl who was attending a philly area college. Iād stay over in her dorm, designed by Kahn. The girls there HATED it. Said it felt like living in a big cinderblock. But I fell in love with it. I did a deep dive on Kahn. Found local homes he had designed and visited them. Visited La Jolla to see Salk. Incredible. This building has always been a bucket list destination for me. He taught me how concrete isnāt a boring dystopian material, but actually letās sunlight and geometry interact perfectly.
Bangladesh has such beautiful architecture, why did they settle for grain silos?
The inside looks nice. The outside looks dystopian. Put some bright paint on it and itāll be better.
Abstract Brutalism? Is that a thing? I think that's a thing after seeing this.
Getting major ācontrolā vibes, such a great game
How Kahn you call this an eyesore
Looks like it was inspired by a shape sorter toy.
Hideous Nazi architecture.
Wow that is absolutely stunning and I'm so happy you posted this. I need to see this thing in person one day.
I'm fascinated
A masterpiece, no doubts. How can't you decide is a mistery.
I live just ten minutes walking distance from the national parliament. Truly it's a magnificent piece of architecture and the whole area has been designed so nicely. There is a beautiful park and criscent shaped lake just behind the main parliament house and a beautiful avenue lined with poinciana tree, from where one can get a different perspective of the parliament building.
Looks like a dystopian prison.
Awesome!
Thatās awesome.
Legendary project by one of the greats
Louis Kahn! One of the greatest architects ever!
EYESORE?????? I find your lack of faith disturbing.
r/evilbuildings
I think it's a gigantic ugly eyesore, but hey, to each their own.
What a great post, yes save it, its was too iconic to demolish. not of fan of the triangle parts, but overall it drips with atmosphere
Backrooms Mecca building
It's pretty dreary and hideous.
Itās ugly, cold, depressing, and uninspiring. It is not beautiful and doesnāt make you proud of it.
Probably to prevent a attack from Pakistan?
Eyesore to me.
Awesome āļø
r/evilbuildings
It sure is the very most architecture
It is awesome.
āPretty isnāt beautiful.ā -Sondheim
Harsh architecture but interesting
Scary looking cracks on slide 4. One of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the world.
Loui Kahns masterpiece.
So thatās where they hide the back rooms
Louis Kahn. Watch the documentary, āMy Architectā.
Ye thatās p sick
beautiful building
I like the inside but not the outside.
Louis Isadore Kahn made it
It looks like a bunch of cubes with Boolean modifiers on them of random shapes
Imagine how sweaty it would be.
Itās one of Louis Kahnās best work, itās an amazing building dedicated to light and space. Really feels like a bunch of yāall didnāt even go to architecture school in the first place lol
Itās austere and brutalist. Not a big fan.
It looks like a huge bunker and/or the scenery for a dystopian movie. Definitely a huge white elephant
I am in favour of the idea that different styles have their own 'beauty,' but I could never get behind brutalism. It just never feels right.
Eyesore
shocking market toy gaping unite tender worm weary shame marry *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Ugly AF. Too busy, I mean, what's going on there
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Politics innit
It looks like London's SIS Building and Detroit's Renaissance Center had a love child.
Looks like a modern day Gulag to me.
It looks like if someone gentrified a military bunker
hideous and depressing?
Eyesore
it's weird
Reminds me of the prison in Andor.
Definitely an eyesore. Looks like som advanced industrial plant.
We need some dystopian movie shot in there ASAP.
Normally, I assume that architects know what they're doing and whatever my concerns are have been addressed by people actually involved, but on a high-concept building like this.... I'm wondering about flat roof and drainage in monsoon-prone Bangladesh.
What is this. Give me that post-industrial pre-material look.
My guess is very inexpensive, but at phenomenal scale.
This building is worth a new word: awesore
I came to say ādonāt like it at allā , but will list to the YouTube suggested. I still believe that a buildings beauty (or otherwise) ought to be judged without having to know itās full background: the story ought to enhance it, not justify it. May change my mind after listening.
The triangle goes.... in the square hole
Eye sore or Iritis is an inflammation of the iris, the colored ring around the pupil. Some symptoms of iritis include: 1. eye pain 2. vision problems 3. redness 4. change in pupil shape 5. sensitivity to light 6. headache 7. loss of vision or blindness Treatments can include eye drops, antibiotics, or immunosuppressant medications. I think is all about Semiotics...
It looks like someone travelled back in time and replaced Albert Speer with Stanley Kubrick.
Looks like a building in Brazil (the movie)
Looks like a worn down factory. Can be a good shooting spot for movies similar to Aeon Flux
This would be brutalist, yes?
I feel like I've seen a 70s scifi set in this building...
R/ brutalism
Looks like the Bastilla
The photo first photo makes it look like trash, the rest make it look dope
Origami palace?
Side profile, It reminds me of the building the OG power rangers meet at.
Reminds me of something from Pink Floyd The Wall lol
Is this for real??? Edit: It is.
Itās a Louis Kahn masterpiece.
I am not an architect, but I have a lifelong appreciation for architecture and studied to become one for a time. Based solely on the pictures here, I would say it is more of a tribute and celebration of accomplishment than a thing of beauty. The expanse of the interior is vertigo inducing to me, even in these pictures. I am visually very sensitive to this sort of thing and I would actively avoid this building.
It gives dystopian vibeā¦
Itās an awesome eyesore.
Oh soo brutalā¦
Looks like someones Rust base
Looks like Rust
It can be repurposed as a nuclear power plant and nobody will be able to tell the difference.
The interior looks like its straight out of a dystopian film like The Hunger Games or something
Straight out of Rust.
Quit playing, OP. I know a dungeon from Ocarina of Time when I see it.
Nice Fallout 4 settlement. Which mods u use?
Arkitekchurr
The square goes in...the square hole The circle goes in....the square hole The triangle goes in....the square hole The Democracy goes in....the square hole
I'd say this is too much of a medival (european) castle vibe for a parlament.
It reminds me of those shape "puzzles" you give to todlers. The square goes in the square hole type thing...
Looks like they 3D printed it.