Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Shaheed Minar


The Shaheed Minar is a national monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh, established to commemorate those killed during the Language Movement demonstrations of 1952. On February 21, 1952, dozens of students and political activists were killed when the Pakistani police force opened fire on Bengali protesters who were demanding equal status to their native tongue, Bangla. The massacre occurred near Dhaka Medical College and Ramna Park in Dhaka.
Famous architect Hamidur Rahman created the design of Shaheed Minar in 1957. Dr. Sayeed Haider, was the main planner and the designer of the first Shaheed Minar. The foundation stone of this Shaheed Mianar was laid on February 21, 1956. Hamidur Rahman’s model was a huge complex on a large area of land in the yard of Dhaka Medical College Hostel.
The enormous design included a half-circular column to symbolize the mother with her fallen sons standing on the monument's central dais. Yellow and deep blue pieces of stained glass, symbolizing eyes reflecting the sun, were also to be placed in the columns. The marble floor was designed to reflect the moving shadows of the columns. The basement of the Minar also included a 1,500-square-foot fresco depicting the history of the language movement. A railing decorated with Bangla alphabet was to be constructed in front.
The Minar was severely damaged during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The columns were destroyed during the fighting. The Pakistani Army crushed the Minar. After Liberation War the Minar build again in 1973 by the period of Awami League government.

Architect: Hamidur Rahman
Construction supervisor: Hamidur Rahman and Novera Ahmed.
Planner & designer: Dr. Sayeed Haider
Date: 1957-1973
Location: Dhaka
Type: monument

National Parliament House

National Assembly Building of Bangladesh
Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban is the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, located in the capital Dhaka. It was created by architect Louis I. Kahn and is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world. It houses all parliamentary activities of Bangladesh
Parliament House Lake
The Building consists of nine individual blocks: the eight peripheral blocks rise to a height of 110' while the central octagonal block rises to a height of 155'. All nine blocks include different groups of functional spaces and have different levels, inter-linked horizontally and vertically by corridors, lifts, stairs, light courts, and circular areas. The Parliament House is divided into three plaza and those are The Main Plaza, The South Plaza and Presidential Plaza. The most important part of the Main Plaza is the Parliament Chamber, which can house up to 354 Members during Parliamentary Sessions.

The most important part of the Main Plaza is the Parliament Chamber, which can house up to 354 members during sessions. There are also two podiums and two galleries for VIP visitors. The efficient and aesthetic use of light was a strong architectural capability of Louis I. Kahn.
Parliament House inner view
Architect: Louis I. Kahn
Architectural style: Modern
Structural system: Reinforced concrete.
Type: Brutalist architecture.
Date: 1961-1982
Cost: Tk1.29 billion
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

National Martyrs' Memorial


Jatiyo Sriti Soudho or National Martyrs' Memorial is a monument in Bangladesh. It is the symbol of the velour and the sacrifice of those killed in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, which brought the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistani rule. The monument is located in Savar, about 35km north-west of the capital, Dhaka.
The monument is composed of 7 isosceles triangular pyramid shaped structures, with the middle one being the tallest. The highest point of the monument is 150 feet. There is an artificial lake, and several mass graves in front of the main monument.
Following evaluation of the 57 submissions, Syed Mainul Hossain's design was chosen. The main structure and the artificial lake and other facilities were completed in 1982. The whole complex is spread over an area of 34 hectares which is again wrapped around by a green belt of 10 hectares.
The project was constructed in three phases. The first one, began in 1972. During the second phase, 1974 - 1982, Tk 3.77 crores were spent in order to build the mass-graves, helipad, parking space, pavements etc. In the third phase, in 1982, the main structure was built and its cost Tk 848.65 lacs. The Public Works Department of the Government of Bangladesh supervised the construction.

Architect: Syed Mainul Hossain
Construction supervisor: Md Shahidul Amin & M Zakiul Islam
Cost: 4.878 crores.
Date: 1972-1982
Location: Savar, Dhaka.
Type: Martyrs' Memorial

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh


The Supreme Court of Bangladesh is the highest court of law in Bangladesh. It is composed of the High Court Division and the Appellate division, and was created by Part VI Chapter I of the Constitution of Bangladesh adopted in 1972. This is also the office of the Chief Justice, Appellate Division Justices, and High Court Division Justices of Bangladesh.

Ahsan Manzil


Ahsan Manzil (Bengali: আহসান মঞ্জিল) was the official residential palace and seat of the Dhaka Nawab Family. It is situated on the banks of the Buriganga River in Bangladesh. The palace is now a museum. It is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture.
The palace has enjoyed a varied history, starting from being Rang Mahal (of Sheikh Enayetullah, a Zamindar of Jamalpur pargana (Barisal) during the time of the Mughals) to a French trading centre. Nawab Khwaja Alimullah bought it from the French in 1830 and converted it into his residence, effecting necessary reconstruction and renovations. The final reconstruction was done by Martin.
The construction of the palace was begun in 1859 and completed in 1872. Abdul Ghani named it Ahsan Manzil after his son Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah. The newly built palace first came to be known as the Rang Mahal. On April 7, 1888, a tornado caused severe damage to Ahsan Manzil -- Andar Mahal, the older part of the palace, was completely devastated. During the reconstruction of the Andar Mahal a good part of the palace was overhauled and repaired, and the exquisite dome of the present Rang Mahal was added. Ahsan Manzil was again damaged by an earthquake in 12 June 1897 and again repaired by the Nawab Ahsanullah.

Lalbagh Fort


Lalbagh Fort (Bengali: লালবাগ দূর্গ) is also known as "Fort Aurangabad". It is an incomplete Mughal palace fortress at the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Construction was commenced in 1678 by Prince Muhammad Azam during his 15-month long vice-royalty of Bengal, but before the work could complete, he was recalled by Aurangzeb. His successor, Shaista Khan, did not complete the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688. His daughter Iran Dukht nick named pari bibi (Fairy Lady) died here in 1684 and this led him to consider the fort to be ominous.

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Banglar Tajmahal


This is one of the great architects in Bangladesh. Actually this architect is miniature of Tajmahal In Dill, Agra, India. Now this place is very attractive to traveler. This Tajmahal is very close to Sonargoun. Now it’s a tourist attraction and now a day’s some TV serial is shot here. This place is ideal for Family gather or picnic.

Saturday, 14 August 2010

Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center
The phenomenal and unabated pace of change and growth of Shanghai is an engine driving the economy of China. In the heart of this mega city is the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone in the Pudong New Area. Since its establishment in 1990, the Zone has grown into a leading international financial center under the visionary guidance of the Chinese government and is today the home to not only the Shanghai Stock Exchange but also financial institutions and hotels from around the world and international conference facilities.

Shanghai World Financial Center is located in the center of the Zone. With 101 floors above ground level and soaring to a height of 492m, this project embodies Mori Building's original “Vertical Garden City” concept and incorporates the company's vast know-how and experience. Offering office space with cutting-edge specifications and all the functions expected of a world-class international financial center, Shanghai World Financial Center is a hub of culture and information, and boasts state-of-the-art security, standard-setting hospitality and superb urban facilities including world's highest observatory, sophisticated retail space and elegant conference facilities and a five-star luxury hotel.
It has the highest outdoor observation deck in the world and its height is 1614 feet.
At Observation Deck 

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox
Structural Engi: Leslie E. Robertson
Developer: Mori Building Co.
Date: 1998-2008
Style: Postmodern
Cost: 8.17 billion RMB
(approx. $1.20 billion USD)
Type: Office Building, hotel, observation.
Location: Pudong, Shanghai, China.

The HSBC Headquarter

HSBC Headquarter, Hongkong
The HSBC Main Building (Chinese香港滙豐總行大廈) is a headquarters building of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in Central Hong Kong. It is located along the southern side of Statue Square near the location of the old City Hall, Hong Kong. The building was finished on November 18, 1985. At the time, it was the most expensive building in the world (c.a.HK$5.2 billion, roughly US$668 million). It has total area of 1,065,627 sq ft and 44 floor and 28 elevators.
Right lion statue (Stitt)
Infornt of the HSBC Headquarter at Shanghai there are two statue of Lion those are known as Right lion statue (Stitt) and Left lion statue (Stephen). It's one of the great attrection for the tourist and Curious people.

Architect: Lord Norman Foster
Date: 1985
Cost: US$780 million
Style: Classical
Type: Commercial offices
Location: Central Hong Kong, Chaina.

Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab is Tower of the Arabs. The Burj Al Arab is the world's tallest 5 stars hotel. The hotel is managed by the Jumeirah Group. The old name persisted after the old Hotel was demolished. The interior was designed by Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International (London).
Burj Al Arab Reception

The beachfront area where the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel are located was previously called Chicago Beach. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) from Jumeirah beach and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship.The hotel is located on an island of reclaimed land offshore of the beach of the former Chicago Beach Hotel.
Burj Al Arab presidential suite

Burj Al Arab has 60 Floor, 18 Elevator and Floor area is 1,2000,000 sq ft. It’s referred to as "the world's only 7-Star hotel.

Burj Al Arab tennis court and helipad

Architect: Tom Wills-Wright (WS Atkins)
Date: 1994-1999
Style: Postmodern
Type: Hotel.
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Burj Khalifa


Burj Khalifa : برج خليفة‎ 
Burj Khalifa (Arabic: برج خليفة‎ "Khalifa Tower"), known as Burj Dubai prior to its inauguration it’s a magnificent centrepiece of Dubai and it’s a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the tallest man-made structure ever built 828m/2,717 ft. Construction began on 21 September 2004, with the exterior of the structure completed on 1 October 2009. The building officially opened on 4 January 2010, and is part of the new 2 km2 (490-acre) flagship development called Downtown Dubai at the 'First Interchange' along Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai's main business district.

Burj Khalifa Armani Hotel
The Dubai Mall project comprises a 12.1-million square foot mall and residential and retail facilities. The total number of final floors is 189 will have 700 private apartments. The actual mall covers the equivalent of 50 international-sized soccer pitches, and when it opened in November 2008, it became the largest shopping space in the world, larger than any existing malls in the US.
Burj Khalifa Camel Statue
The tower's architecture and engineering were performed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, and Bill Bakeras chief structural engineer. The primary contractor was Samsung C&T of South Korea. In June 2010, Burj Khalifa was the recipient of the 2010 Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
Burj Khalifa Inside view
There is also room for a 14,000 underground car parking spaces, with additional parking above ground.The project to build three district cooling plants that offers a total capacity of 145,000t of refrigeration, an estimated 41,000t of air conditioning equipment will be involved in servicing the tower and The Mall.
Burj Khalifa Royal Suite
Burj Khalifa Indoor and Out door view
Burj Khalifa Spas & Salons
Architect: Architect Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.
Contractor: Samsung
Developer: Emaar
Date: 2004-2009
Cost: USD $ 1.5 billion.
Style: Modern Skyscraper
Type: Hotel, apartments, offices, observation deck.





Mesk Tower


The Mesk Tower is a 40-floor residential tower in the Dubai Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The tower has a total structural height of 185 m (607 ft). Construction of Park Place was completed in 2003.



Architect:
Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum
Developer: Emaar
Location: Dubai Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: 2003
Style: Postmodern Arabesque
Construction: 185 m
Type: residential tower

Park Place


Park Place, architecturally designed by an international team, will become a spectacular addition to the skyline on Sheikh Zayed Rd and is set to be the most exclusive city address for corporates and residents.

Originally inspired by the shape of a perfume bottle that Mr Bin Drai came across ten years ago, the building has been designed by an Australian firm, Cox Architecture Planning Design, following a design competition between six top international architecture firms who competed to meet the brief.

It is a 60-floor building, {15 floors of Office Building and a further 45 floors of Apartment Building} the building will be sheathed in a 'second skin', protecting it from the heat generated by the fierce Arabian sun as well as channeling cooler air around the inner layer of the building.

Architect: Cox Architecture Planning Design
Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai
Date: 2007
Style: Postmodern
Construction: 234 m Double skinned facade
Type: corporate and residents.

Friday, 13 August 2010

Beijing National Stadium


Beijing National Stadium
Beijing National Stadium is known as Bird Nest for its external design. In 2001, before Beijing had been awarded the right to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, the city held a bidding process to select the best arena design. Multiple requirements including the ability for post-Olympics use, a retractable roof, and low maintenance costs, were required of each design.
Beijing National Stadium Night View
The entry list was narrowed to thirteen final designs. Of the final thirteen, Li Xinggang of China Architecture Design and Research Group (CADG), said after he placed the model of the "nest" proposal at the exhibition hall and saw the rival entries he thought to himself, "We will win this."
The model was approved by as the top design by a professional panel; however, it was later exhibited for the public. Once again, it was selected as the top design
Beijing National Stadium Olympic Host 

Architect: Herzog & de Meuron
Structural engi: Arup
Full name: Beijing National Stadium
Short name: Bird’s Nest.
Opened: June 28, 2008
Construction cost: US$423 million
Capacity: 91,000
Style: Deconstructivist
Type: Sports venue
Location: Chaoyang, Beijing, China.

Soccer City

Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg South Africa
One of the most artistic and awe-inspiring football venues on the African continent, the newly-reconstructed Soccer City Stadium will host the first and final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The outside of the stadium is designed to have the appearance of an African pot; the cladding on the outside is a mosaic of fire and earthen colors with a ring of lights running around the bottom of the structure, simulating fire underneath the pot.
Soccer City Stadium Sitting view
The ground's design is inspired by the iconic African pot known as the calabash, and its aesthetic appeal will be heightened when the stadium is lit at night. Soccer City is located in Johannesburg's southwest and is only a short distance from one of the country's football-crazy townships, Soweto.
Soccer City Out look
The stands in Soccer City are articulated by ten black vertical lines; nine are aligned geographically with the nine other stadia involved in the 2010 World Cup. Because 9 are considered to be an unlucky number in South African traditional culture, a tenth line was added. This tenth line is aimed at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. In the first match of World Cup 2010 there was attendance 84,490 people.
Soccer City Entrance


Architect: Boogertman & Partners, HOK Sport.
Former names: Soccer City
Owner: The Stadia and Soccer Development Trust
Operator: South African Football Association
Capacity: 94,736
Construction cost: USD $440 million
Type: Sports Venue, Stadium.
Location: Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium

Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium
The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, in the emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, was built in the early 1980s and very quickly became a regular home for tournaments as the popularity of one-day cricket exploded following India's World Cup win in 1983. Between 1984 and 2003 the ground hosted 198 ODIs and four Tests, attracting good crowds, mainly from the area's large Asian expat population. The stadium initially started with a few limited seats and very modest facilities but by 2002 had a 27,000 capacity and floodlights.
Sharjah Stadium Ground
Various kinds of festival, celebration, occasion, and concert are held here, so it’s very important place for Asian people.

Established: 1982
Capacity: 27,000
Floodlights: Yes
Home team: United Arab Emirates
Type: Sports venue
Location: 2nd Industrial St, harjah, U.A.E.

The Palm Jumeirah


Now man can achieve the sea and make it home. The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. It is one of three islands called The Palm Islands which will increase Dubai’s shoreline by a total of 520 km. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) under development by Nakheel. It is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

Architect: various
Location: on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates
Date: 2001
Style: Postmodern
Construction: created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government
Type: artificial island

Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce means “Filled up Garden”. Dolmabahce Palace built in 19th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans was residing there. The construction of the Palace completed in 13 years and cost five million Ottoman gold pounds (the equivalent of 35 tons of gold). After the foundation of the Turkish Republic in Ankara, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk transferred all government functions to the youthful capital but on his visits to Istanbul Ataturk occupied only a small room at Dolmabahce Palace as his own. He stayed, welcomed his foreign guests and made a practical center for national, historical and language congress and for international conferences.


Dolmabahce palace has a great meaning for Turkish people since the supreme leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had used the palace as a residence and spent the most serious period of his illness.

Designer: Garabet Balyan
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Date: 1843-1856
Type: Palace

Blue Mosque


The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a historical mosque in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and was the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is one of several mosques known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has become one of the greatest tourist attractions of Istanbul.
The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The architect has ably synthesized the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendour, but the interior lacks his creative thinking.

Architect: Unknown
Location: Istanbul
Date: 1609-1616
Style: Islamic Ottoman Turkish (considered the last great mosque of the classical time)
Construction: brick and stone
Type: Mosque

Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Duplex experience in Kabul.


Most of we know that Afghanistan is a poor country like us or below then us. Now the picture is change. Duplex house is now very common in Afghanistan; it’s the fashion there now. Kabul, Lisa Moriam, Majar-E-Sarif and other stat is now full of fashionable house like this. Those house is build after the Afghanistan wear, beside the Holland embassies. Those situated in capital of Afghanistan Kabul and it build in after 2003. Those building are establishing by private funding.


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This picture is from Korola posta, safarata Holland, kocha makdum, Shar-E-naw Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan. The style is Duplex house. Construction by Breakstone and types is Resident. My friend Roney helps me from Afghanistan.

Live in Kabul Hill


This is the picture of Afghanistan. Till now people are live in hill. Actually some lower middle and lower class people are live in there.
That situation is happen in rural area and undeveloped area in Afghanistan. Moreover Afghanistan has very few area is low land.



The country is full of hill. In this area people face some problem like insufficient supply of water, in summer its very hot, in winter its covered by ice or snow and difficult transportation facility. Moreover they are happy here.

Saturday, 31 July 2010

Notre Dame Cathedral


Notre Dame de Paris (French for "Our Lady of Paris", meaning the church in Paris dedicated to the Virgin Mary), often known simply as Notre Dame in English, is a gothic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in Paris, France, with its main entrance to the west. While a major tourist destination, it is still used as a Roman Catholic cathedral (archbishop of Paris). Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered the finest example of French gothic architecture.




Architect: Maurice de Sully
Location: Parvis de Notre Dame. 75004 Paris, France.
date: 1163 to 1250
Style: Gothic
Construction: cut stone
Type: Church

Château de Chenonceau

The original manor was torched in 1411 to punish owner Jean Marques for an act of sedition. He rebuilt a castle and fortified mill on the site in the 1430s. Subsequently, his indebted heir Pierre Marques sold the castle to Thomas Bohier, Chamberlain for King Charles VIII of France in 1513. Bohier destroyed the existing castle and built an entirely new residence between 1515 and 1521; the work was sometimes overseen by his wife Katherine Briçonnet, who delighted in hosting French nobility, including King François L on two occasions.



Architect: Philibert Delorme
Location: Loire Valley, north-western France.
Date: 1521
Style: French Renaissance (mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance)
Construction: Stone
Type: Palace