Badaphat
Year
2023 - in construction
Role
Architecture & Structure
Client
Bangladesh Environment and Development Society
Intro
The Mangrove Learning Centre supports both community and ecology on the edge of the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Developed with NaJa & deOstos and BEDS, this resilient facility integrates ecological education with architecture, providing library and research spaces that overlook the rehabilitating landscape.
Process
The design addresses site-specific environmental risks through a hybrid structural approach. Steel framing resists cyclonic forces and wind uplift, while traditional construction methods incorporate local materials including bamboo and masonry. This blend of modern engineering and indigenous craftsmanship creates resilience while maintaining architectural openness.
Goal
To foster environmental stewardship by positioning the mangrove forest as an active educator. Through schools, residencies, and research programs, the centre connects people directly to the ecosystem, creating a space where architecture enables learning, preservation, and community empowerment.
Result
Currently under construction with opening planned for December 2025, the building integrates passive design strategies with bold architectural form. Its protruding roof and watchtower offer panoramic views, establishing the project as a model of resilient, place-based architecture that functions as both educational infrastructure and ecological interface.