The Story of the National Parliament Building: A Marvel of Architecture

A Glimpse into Tomorrow's Election

Tomorrow marks an important day. On February 12, 2026, new parliament members will take their oaths. They will enter a monumental structure located in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar — the National Parliament Building. But how many people truly know the story behind this architectural wonder?

The Beginning of a Vision

Let’s rewind to 1959. At that time, Bangladesh did not exist; it was known as East Pakistan. The military ruler, Ayub Khan, decided to make Dhaka the "second capital." The people of East Pakistan had long felt neglected in terms of politics and economics. Ayub Khan thought that building a grand parliament house would bring happiness to the people.

Politicians often think this way: build a building, construct a bridge, and the people will be pleased. However, the building that was ultimately created became more than just a political tool. It emerged as one of the finest architectural masterpieces of the 20th century.

The Design Dilemma

Now, let's get to the interesting part. Who would design this building? The government initially approached Mazharul Islam, the most renowned architect of East Pakistan at the time, educated at Yale University.

Mazharul Islam could have taken on the project, but he declined. Why? He understood that this building was not just any ordinary structure. It needed to elevate Dhaka on the world stage. For this, a world-class architect was necessary.

He first tried to bring Finnish architect Alvar Aalto on board but was unsuccessful. Next, he reached out to Le Corbusier, who was also busy working in Chandigarh, India. Ultimately, Mazharul Islam recommended his Yale professor, Louis Kahn.

Imagine this: Bangladesh's most famous building came to life because a Bangladeshi architect chose not to take the credit but instead invited his mentor. Mazharul Islam's decision was remarkable; he prioritized the country's architecture over his own fame.

At that time, Louis Kahn was 61 years old. He had already made a name for himself by designing the Richards Medical Research Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania.

In January 1963, he visited Dhaka for the first time. He surveyed the site, a vast 200-acre flat land surrounded by rice fields and wetlands. The soft soil of the delta was a unique challenge.

What Kahn envisioned was not what a typical architect would think. He saw the water and flat land not as problems but as the foundation for his design. He planned to integrate the rivers, canals, and nature of Bengal into the building.

He created artificial lakes on three sides of the building. When viewed from above, it appears as if a concrete giant has risen from the water—calm, still, yet powerful.

Architectural Innovations

Now, let’s talk about the building itself. The National Parliament Building has no ordinary columns—none at all. This may sound unbelievable. How can such a large building exist without columns? Kahn innovated with "hollow columns." He turned the concept of columns on its head. He famously stated, “If you see a series of columns you can say that the choice of columns is a choice in light... Now think of it just in reverse and think that the columns are hollow and much bigger and that their walls can themselves give light, then the voids are rooms, and the column is the maker of light.”

The building consists of nine blocks. At its center is an octagonal block, which serves as the parliament chamber, surrounded by eight other blocks. The central block stands 155 feet tall, while the others reach 110 feet.

From the outside, it appears as a single structure. The exterior walls feature large geometric openings—circles, triangles, and quadrilaterals—that resemble works of art. However, these designs serve a practical purpose. They protect the building from Dhaka's intense heat and rain. Sunlight does not enter directly, allowing air to circulate while also blocking rainwater.

This is the brilliance of Louis Kahn. He harmonized beauty and functionality.

The Dance of Light

The topic of light deserves special mention. Kahn once said, “Architecture is the reaching out for light.” Light is the soul of architecture. Above the parliament chamber is a parabolic shell roof that rises 117 feet. This roof features a clerestory that allows natural light to flood in. The light first hits the octagonal walls, reflecting and dispersing throughout the chamber.

Throughout the day, this light changes. It appears differently in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Artificial lighting is also incorporated, but it is designed in such a way that it does not obstruct the path of natural light.

Kahn believed that in his designs, the walls themselves create light. This may sound poetic, but seeing the building will convince you of its truth.

Material Choices

The building is constructed from cast concrete. Kahn did not want paint or plaster on the structure. He aimed to showcase the natural form of concrete—heavy, strong, and honest.

However, there was a challenge. During the casting of concrete, joints appear, which can look unsightly. Kahn solved this by installing bands of white marble every five feet. These marble bands are recessed six inches into the walls, acting as "drip molds" to prevent rainwater from staining the walls.

This striped pattern of concrete and marble has become the building's most recognizable feature.

Construction Challenges

Construction began in 1964. At that time, heavy machinery was scarce in East Pakistan. Cranes? They arrived much later. The building had risen six stories, but cranes had yet to be delivered.

So, how was the concrete lifted? By human heads. Yes, thousands of laborers carried wet concrete in baskets on bamboo poles, climbing over 100 feet high.

Thinking about this gives me chills. The building, now regarded as one of the world's greatest architectural achievements, was constructed on the shoulders of Bangladeshi laborers, under the sun and rain of Dhaka.

Achieving the smooth finish of the concrete required precise "Timber Formwork." Local workers were not accustomed to this, so training was provided on-site.

On the northern side of the parliament building, Kahn used "Exposed Brickwork" for the members' hostel and other facilities. Local masons were typically used to plastering bricks, but they received specialized training to achieve perfect brickwork without plaster.

The Impact of War

Then came 1971. When the Liberation War began in March, all construction halted. At that time, the building stood as a concrete skeleton, incomplete.

An unusual incident occurred during the war. Pakistani pilots observed this structure from the air. The massive concrete cylinder and its strange geometric design led them to believe it was an ancient ruin.

They did not drop bombs.

The building survived.

The war ended on December 16, 1971, and Bangladesh gained independence. The new government faced a significant question: what to do with this unfinished building? It had been a project initiated under Pakistani rule. Would it be appropriate to continue it for the new nation?

In 1974, a decision was made to complete the building according to Kahn's original design. No changes would be made.

This decision was crucial. A newly independent country, facing economic collapse and famine, still declared that this building would symbolize their democracy. They would finish it.

However, another unfortunate event occurred. On March 17, 1974, Louis Kahn suffered a heart attack at New York's Penn Station while returning from a trip to India and Bangladesh. Tragically, he had no identification on him at the time of his death. As a result, police could not identify him, and his body remained unclaimed in the morgue for three days. He did not live to see his greatest work completed.

At that time, the building was nearly three-quarters finished. Kahn's associates, David Wisdom and Henry Wilcocks, completed the remaining work, following every drawing Kahn had made without altering a single line.

The building was completed on January 28, 1982, and inaugurated on February 15. From start to finish, it took nearly 20 years, costing approximately 32 million USD, equivalent to about 1.33 billion Bangladeshi Taka at that time.

The Magnitude of the Structure

Let me share some figures to illustrate the building's grandeur.

The entire complex spans nearly 200 acres. The main building's floor area is 823,000 square feet. The parliament chamber can seat 354 members. The building features 1,635 doors, 335 windows, and 340 toilets, along with 50 staircases.

And what about the annual maintenance cost? It is approximately 55 million Taka.

A concrete building in a hot climate! Yet, Kahn's design allows the structure to cool itself naturally through the lake's water, airflow through geometric openings, and the shadows cast by the walls.

The Mosque Story

At the entrance of the building, there is a prayer room. The Pakistani government wanted a traditional mosque with a dome and minaret. Kahn disagreed. He argued that the entire building should be a sacred space, a gathering place for people. There was no need for a separate dome.

Ultimately, he designed the prayer room as the main entrance to the building. However, he rotated it 15 degrees from the main axis. Why? To align it with the Qibla.

This slight deviation adds a dynamic quality to the building's otherwise geometric symmetry. Architects believe this subtle 'asymmetry' gives the structure a living form.

In 1989, the building received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Interestingly, it was first considered for this award in 1986. The jury stated that the building did not adequately reflect Islamic architecture or the needs of local people. Three years later, in 1989, that decision was reversed. The jury acknowledged that Kahn had indeed abstracted the language of regional architecture into a universal form.

In 2003, Kahn's son, Nathaniel Kahn, created a documentary titled "My Architect." In that film, he visited Dhaka and was moved to tears by the parliament building. A Bangladeshi architect told him, "Your father has given us a room for democracy."

This building is not just a structure; it has transformed the history of architecture in Bangladesh.

Louis Kahn's influence in Dhaka initiated a new trend, often referred to as the "Dhaka School of Architecture." Mazharul Islam himself later designed many buildings, including those at Chittagong University and the Art College, where Kahn's impact is evident.

Among today's generation of architects, Kashif Mahbub Chowdhury and Marina Tabassum are notable successors of Kahn. Marina Tabassum's Baitur Rouf Mosque received the Aga Khan Award in 2016.

A New Beginning

Tomorrow, new parliament members will enter this building.

Louis Kahn did not view the parliament building merely as an administrative structure. He referred to it as "The Place of Assembly." This space should be sacred, filled with light and silence.

The building is indeed filled with light and tranquility.

Now, we only need the right people.