The Padma River is important to Bangladesh's economy, transportation system, and culture. Millions of people who live along the river's banks depend on it for their livelihoods in the form of irrigation, fishing, and other activities. The river connects several rural and distant locations with metropolitan centres and is a crucial conduit for the transfer of both commodities and people.
The Padma Multipurpose Bridge, also known as the Padma Bridge, is a proposed 6.15-kilometer-long bridge in Bangladesh that will cross the Padma River, one of the major rivers in the country. The bridge is expected to improve transportation, communication, and economic development in Bangladesh by linking the country's two largest divisions, Dhaka and Khulna.
The design intends to provide a sustainable and interesting area for visitors, researchers, and the local community while celebrating the historical, cultural, and environmental value of the Padma River.
The planned museum complex will provide visitors with an engaging and educational experience through the adaptive reuse of the construction yard. The Padma Bridge and the galleries devoted to river ecology, boat heritage, river culture, and river history will be fascinating locations for exploration, instruction, and preservation. The addition of a library and research centre will encourage academic pursuits and increase the body of knowledge in the area.
The proposed project will have four main components:
Padma Riverlife Museum: The museum will showcase the rich cultural heritage and biodiversity of the Padma River and its surrounding areas. Exhibits will include interactive installations, multimedia displays, and artifacts that tell the story of the river's history, ecology, and significance to the local communities.
Padma Bridge Museum: The museum will highlight the engineering and social significance of the Padma Bridge, which is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. The exhibits will showcase the design and construction process, as well as the impact of the bridge on the local economy and society.
Education and Research Center: The center will provide opportunities for research, training, and education on topics related to the Padma River and its surrounding areas. The center will offer workshops, seminars, and training programs on ecology, engineering, history, and culture, as well as research facilities and resources for scholars and students.
Cultural Theatre : A cultural theatre will play a vital role in enhancing the overall visitor experience and providing a platform for artistic expression and cultural enrichment.
The museum's functional zoning enables effective use of the available space and a smooth visitor flow, while facilities like a cultural theatre, museum shop, and outdoor plaza improve the whole experience. The dedication to developing a sustainable and user-friendly environment is further underlined by the implementation of sustainable design concepts and ergonomic considerations.
The planned project is an homage to the importance of the Padma River and the Padma Bridge in the region's cultural and historical fabric as well as to the adaptive reuse of existing infrastructure. This thesis intends to commemorate the construction of the bridge, encourage river conservation, and create a greater knowledge and appreciation of the river's ecological, cultural, and historical worth by converting the construction yard into a museum complex.
The Padma Riverlife and Padma Bridge Museum will inspire and educate visitors via smart design, helping to preserve and promote the area's rich legacy. The thesis outlines a concept for a vibrant and interesting museum complex that would provide a distinctive and immersive experience to honour the beauty and significance of the Padma River and its famous bridge.

2023

Site Location : Former Padma Bridge Construction Yard, Kumarbhog, Near Mawa Ferry Terminal , Munshiganj , Dhaka (23.466259, 90.281521)
Site Area : 25 Acres.
Project Client : Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

Student Name: Fahim Ashab Faroquee ( Undergrad Student, B.Arch)
Supervisor Name : Syeda Tahmina Tasnim (Assistant Professor , Department of Architecture)
Institution: Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology