REVITALIZING KOLAKOPA’S HERITAGE: Conservation of Kokil Peri Palace and Surrounding Buildings

This thesis proposes the revitalization of Kokil Peri Palace and nearby heritage structures in Kolakopa, Nawabganj, Dhaka, through architectural conservation and adaptive reuse. Unlike traditional passive visits, the design includes role-playing zones, AR/VR experiences, and museum spaces to create an emotional and interactive journey into history. An underground entry plaza controls visitor flow, while public areas like ghats, play zones, and an amphitheater enhance engagement. The project blends storytelling, technology, and preservation to make heritage a living experience for future generations.

What makes this project truly significant is that it marks the very first architectural intervention on this forgotten heritage site. Until now, Kolakopa’s Kokil Peri Palace and its surrounding structures had remained undocumented, untouched, and unimagined in the field of design without the Khelaram datar mandir. Only Khelaram datar mandir conserve by Archeology Department of Bangladesh in this Site.

No architectural study, no preservation plan, no tourism strategy had been proposed before. The journey of rediscovery and conservation begins here—with this thesis.

This is not merely a design proposal—it is the first step in bringing Kolakopa's lost narrative back into public consciousness. From historical silence to experiential storytelling, the transformation starts from this work.

Site History

The name Nawabganj carries with it a legacy of history. While the Nawabs did not reside in the area directly, they administered trade and revenue activities here through their appointed officials. Due to its fertile lands and river routes, the region became an important hub for commerce, and a "ganj" or market center gradually developed under Nawabi influence. After the fall of the Nawabs following the Battle of Plassey, former associates, local businessmen, and affluent individuals began managing their own enterprises under British rule. Many of them acquired zamindari (landlord) rights from the British and started collecting taxes from farmers. Over time, these zamindars became wealthy and began showcasing their social status by constructing magnificent palaces, revenue offices (kachari ghars), temples, and other architectural landmarks. Thus, Nawabganj evolved from a trade-based settlement under Nawabi oversight into a center of aristocratic zamindari culture and heritage.

In 18th century The landlords slowly started building houses to live here to collect taxes and run the business. The main landlord was Marwari and he run his business with pan, betel nut, oil, salt etc. He started hiring people when he needed people to help run the business and they started build building to stay. They use the Ichamoti river to handle goods. That is the river which was connected with business. When the war started in 1947 Gradually they were tortured and at one point they started going to India. Many persons are leave and many person are stay. Borjon Roy had 5 sons and he build 5 buildings for them. Now there 53-55 buildings are visible and using different purpose from 96 bbuildings. A few buildings are for residential, a few are commercial. Some of these houses are very famous and Kokil Peri is one of them. Landlord Borjon Roy ( Sudorsan Roy ) build the building at 18 century. And now the building is known as Kokil Peri jamidar bari. Radha Raman Roy got this house among 5 sons of Borjon Roy. Radha Romon Roy named the house Kokil Peri after her parents and build a school 1936 with same name.

Design Concept

When we visit a heritage site, we often walk past decaying walls, arches, and silent corridors. We admire their form but fail to understand their soul. The stones stand still, but their stories remain unheard. This project challenges that silence.

In this design, architecture becomes a storyteller. Every building doesn’t just exist—it speaks. Through AR and VR technology, the past is reconstructed; forgotten events are reimagined. Tourists will no longer be silent spectators—they will see, hear, and emotionally experience what once was.

A visitor will walk into a space and witness a zamindar’s arrival, a performance in the courtyard, or a healing ritual at the palace pharmacy—not through books or signboards, but through immersive presence.

This emotional engagement is deepened through role-playing, where visitors step into characters from the past. Instead of asking “What was this building for?” they will feel what it meant.

This project isn’t just about conserving buildings—it is about reviving memory, humanizing history, and creating connection. Each ruin becomes a living chapter, each space a portal through time.

Conclusion

This thesis aimed to revitalize the Kokil Peri Palace and its surrounding heritage structures in Kolakopa through architectural conservation, adaptive reuse, and immersive storytelling. By understanding the site's historical, social, and spatial values, the project identified opportunities to transform it into a living heritage environment—not only to preserve the past but also to make it meaningful in the present.