Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban, the National Parliament House of Bangladesh, is a landmark of modern architecture set in the country's capital region of Asia. It was designed by the architect Louis Kahn, and it remains one of the most recognisable buildings in the country.
What to expect
The building is a large concrete structure with bold geometric forms. Its design makes strong use of dramatic light wells, which cut shafts of daylight into the interior and play across the surfaces of the walls. The complex is set beside an artificial lake, and the building is often reflected in its still water, which is one of the most photographed views of the site.
- Architecture: bold concrete geometry and sculptural light
- Setting: reflected in a surrounding artificial lake
- Significance: a symbol of Bangladesh's democratic ideals
Why visit
For anyone interested in modern architecture, this is a site worth seeing in person. Photographs cannot fully convey the scale of the concrete forms or the way the light changes across the day. Because the building serves as the seat of the national legislature, a visit also offers a view of a place that stands for the country's democratic life. Many visitors combine it with time spent exploring the wider city.
Plan your visit around the view you most want: the lake reflection is best appreciated from the water's edge, while the play of light is best seen when you can move slowly around the outside of the building and watch the shadows shift.