Traditional Wooden Boat Crafting Centre
Rooted in Bangladesh’s riverine heritage, this project connects tradition with modernity by empowering boat artisans, blending heritage with sustainable design through crafting zones, museums and public spaces that honour history by blending ancestral craftsmanship with global innovations, community fostering, culture and environmental preservation.
Project Media
SITE ANALYSIS
Charpathorghata is a village in Patiya Upazila in Chittagong district rely on generational boat crafting as their source of income.The site is located on the bank of the Karnaphuli river. Site is connected with the ghats around the Karnaphuli river which eventually meet with the Bay of Bengal.The site manifest a good connecting point with the river and road.
SURROUNDING CONTEXT AND HISTORICAL TIMELINE
For centuries, boats have shaped trade, transport, fishing, and culture in Bangladesh, with wooden boatmaking passed down through generations. In Chittagong, along the Karnaphuli River, villagers have practiced this craft for nearly 200 years, building both boats and the surrounding livelihoods of their community and till now people are maintaining that.
CONCEPT GENERATION AND BOAT ANALYSIS
Concept is generated from the structure of traditional boat and its formation. The aim of the project was to co-existence between tradition and modernization at the same time. Main idea was to create a place for remote boat makers community and traditional conservation of boat culture.
VIEW FROM RIVER AND MASTERPLAN
The masterplan design strategy of the "Crafting Centre" integrates craft, climate, and community in a cohesive architectural articulation. Inspired by the structural harmony of a boat's spine and ribs, the project evolves as a progression of linear bays and semi-openings, allowing for programmatic and interactional flexibility.
1st FLOOR PLAN AND SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
The elevated viewing bridge serves as the project's symbolic and spatial spine, connecting various functional zones, boat-making workshops, museum, riverfront promenade, market areas and learning sapces acting as a contemplative pathway over water and unused area beneath the Notun Bridge is put to adaptive reuse converted into an area of temporary shop.
SECTIONS
Biophilic design elements such as proximity to the river, inclusion of green enclaves, nature views, and tactility of materials are inspired in the design.Equipped with modern workshops, the boat-making zone will facilitate collaboration and innovation among craftsmen, merging traditional techniques with contemporary practices to ensure the craft's survival.
BOAT CRAFTING SPACE
Equipped with modern workshops, the boat-making zone will facilitate collaboration and innovation among craftsmen, merging traditional techniques with contemporary practices to ensure the craft's survival.A dedicated space (open boat building zone) for “Nauka Haat,” will bolster the livelihoods of craftsmen while promoting knowledge sharing.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
The design integrates traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sustainability, honoring the ancestral wisdom of boat makers and related communities.In terms of sustainability,the design prioritizes using eco-friendly wooden materials and traditional building practices along with the steel joint ensuring that the construction and operation of the institute
VISUALIZATIONS
The centre will serve as a social hub, encouraging community interaction and creativity. Key components include a museum to celebrate the rich artistry of wooden boat construction, educating visitors about the craft's cultural significance and history via exhibits and programs.
VISUALIZATIONS
An open plaza is planned as a vibrant gathering spot for these celebrations, nurturing community spirit and reinforcing connections to the wooden racing heritage.The area beneath the bridge will be transformed into a net-mending space and temporary market during festivals, enhancing the project's overall function.
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PUBLISHED ON 1st October 2025
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