The Facade Atlas
Contribute

Wikipedia

National Assembly Building of Bangladesh

Location
Dhaka,Bangladesh
Design firm
Louis I. Kahn Architect
Typology
Other
Years
1962–1982
Status
Complete

Facade facts

Facade summary
A monolithic, double-skin concrete envelope punctuated by colossal geometric openings (circles,triangles, and half-circles) and banded by horizontal white marble strips.
Documented intention
Kahn intended the massive geometric apertures to act as light filters and wind catchers, mitigating the harsh glare of the tropical sun and resisting heavy monsoon rains while generating a monumental civic expression of timelessness and democracy.
Street relationship
The building is set far back from the street, surrounded by an artificial lake. The facade reflects onto the water, doubling its monumental presence and creating a highly controlled,symbolic relationship with the public sphere.
Climate relationship
The double-skin concrete facade is specifically engineered for Dhaka's hot, humid tropical climate. The deep outer chambers block direct solar radiation while allowing cross-ventilation to circulate through the massive openings,cooling the building fabric naturally.
Window pattern
Arranged in monumental geometric patterns (circles,triangles,semicircles) across the primary concrete facades, with inner glazing matching the structural openings.
Glazing
Single glazed panels in timber and steel frames
Depth
Extremely deep, with buffer zones measuring several meters between the outer concrete screen and the inner glass line.
Rhythm
Symmetrical,alternating massive concrete volumes with deep,dark structural voids.
Concrete
Concrete — Entire outer and inner monolithic structure — Rough, cast-in-place finish displaying timber board-formed texture
Marble
Marble — Horizontal inlay strips across all concrete facades — Polished /smooth
Glass
Glass — Inner recessed window walls — Clear /transparent
Double-Skin Concrete Screen
An outer load-bearing concrete envelope with monumental openings acts as a protective rain and sun screen, set several meters away from the inner climate-controlled glazed facades.
Board-Formed Cast-in-Place Concrete
Hand-built timber shuttering used to cast concrete in five-foot horizontal lifts,leaving behind a textured, textured wood-grain imprint on the cured concrete.

Tags

Double-Skin Facade

Description

The facade is constructed from rough-textured, cast-in-place concrete panels accented by horizontal strips of white marble inlaid every five feet. These marble bands coincide with the pour limits of the concrete, transforming a construction joint into a refined decorative element. The outer envelope is a sequence of monumental concrete blocks, separated by deep voids and punctured by large-scale geometric apertures, including full circles, triangles, flat arches, and semi-circles. This outer concrete shell functions as a physical buffer, while the actual glazed window walls of the offices and assembly halls are set deep within the interior recesses, protected from the elements.

Visual analysis

Visually, the facade establishes an intense play of light and shadow (chiaroscuro). The massive scale of the circular and triangular openings de-materializes the monolithic weight of the concrete, offering glimpses into deep interior chambers and transition spaces that blur the boundary between outside and inside.

Gallery

Sources

Back to projects