Parliament House
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament House) located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar has distinctive architectural features. Designed by the famous architect Louis I. Kahn, it may be called an architectural wonder of this region.
Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (Jatio Shôngshod Bhôbon) is the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, located in the capital Dhaka. It was created by architect Louis I. Kahn and is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world. It houses all parliamentary activities of Bangladesh.
There have been eight national elections in Bangladesh. The first and second Parliaments used the Old Shangshad Bhaban, which currently serves as the Prime Minister's Office.
Construction of the Jatiya Shangshad Bhaban began in 1961 by the Government of Pakistan as a permanent building for the federal legislature of both West and East Pakistan. However, it was the eighth (and last) session of the second parliament of Bangladesh that first used it on 15 February 1982 after its construction was completed on 28 January of the same year. The Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban has been in operation and has acted as the sole complex used as the National Assembly ever since.
The Jatiya Shangshad Bhaban was designed by the American architect Louis Kahn.
* Beginning of construction: 1961
* Cost of construction and design: Tk. 129 crore or 1.29 billion (=1,290,000,000)
* Inauguration: 28 January , 1982
* Architect: Louis I. Kahn
* Total area: 200 acres (800,000 m²)
* Location: Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka
* Number of Parliaments: 7 (seven)
* GIS coordinates: 23.762465°,90.378545°
History of use by Parliament
Seven Parliaments, including the current one led by Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister, have used the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban as the assembly building:
1. Second Parliament: 2 years 11 months (2 April, 1979 - 24 March, 1982)
2. Third Parliament: 1 year 5 months (10 July, 1986 - 6 December, 1987)
3. Fourth Parliament: 2 years 7 months (15 April, 1988 - 6 December, 1990)
4. Fifth Parliament: 4 years 8 months (5 April, 1991 - 24 November, 1995)
5. Sixth Parliament: 12 days (19 March, 1996 - 30 March, 1996)
6. Seventh Parliament: 5 years (14 July, 1996 - 13 July, 2001)
7. Eighth Parliament: 5 years (28 October, 2001 - 27 October, 2006)
The Main Plaza
The most important part of the Main Plaza is the Parliament Chamber, which can house up to 354 members during sessions. There are also two podiums and two galleries for VIP visitors. The Chamber has a maximum height of 117' with a parabolic shell roof. The roof was designed with a clearance of a single story to let in daylight. Daylight, reflecting from the surrounding walls and octagonal drum, filters into the Parliament Chamber. The efficient and aesthetic use of light was a strong architectural capability of Louis Kahn.
The artificial lighting system has been carefully devised to provide zero obstruction to the entry of daylight. A composite chandelier is suspended from parabolic shell roof. This chandelier in turn consists of a metallic web, spanning the entire chamber, that supports the individual light fixtures.
Upper levels of the block (that contains the Chamber) contain the visitor and press galleries, as well as communication booths, all of which overlook the Parliament Chamber. The block also contains:
* at level one, a library;
* at level three, MPs’ lounges; and
* at the upper level, party rooms.
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