BracU architecture students explore Brihatta Art Foundation
On 20th July, Brac University’s architecture students embarked on a journey to explore the Hazaribagh building, once infamous for its rawhide pungency and memories, now home to the Brihatta Art Foundation and Atelier Robin Architects. The tour was part of their interior design course, ARC411. What began as a seemingly chaotic exploration of a forgotten part of Dhaka ended as a profound realisation of architecture.
Bishwajit Goswami (Artist and Co-founder, Brihatta) envisioned a space that blends the past and present under one roof. With great respect for the history of the former tannery, he embraced its imperfections and turned them into art.
Picture credit: Collected
In the centre of the tannery, students encountered a towering tree installation echoing untold human stories. The tangled, expressive branches reflected emotional knots we all carry. The sculptures are alive with their symbolism and memories. There is no single interpretation of the art, only layers waiting to be uncovered. Tanisha Nahar Roza (Junior, ARC) says, “Brihatta preaches the notion of designing something familiar to the people. You could be anyone, but the place will be familiar to you. It will bring you closer to nature and yourself.”
The tannery served as an exploration of an abandoned site transformed into a vibrant community space for sharing art. Sunlight poured into a courtyard where art, thought and architecture coexisted. Atelier Robin’s design choices preserved the building’s soul while allowing room for reinvention.
Zenith Aurunima Sarker (Junior, ARC) states, “I realise that creating something is not always about demolishing the past; it’s about holding onto the original essence and creating a space that invites people.”
