Centre in a protected forest and nature reserve

This hidden beauty is situated in a protected forest and nature reserve in the Chittagong District in the south of Bangladesh. It’s mainly used as an education and interpretation tool and it tries to create awareness and promote biodiversity, conservation and eco-tourism. The architects that designed and built the center were Vitti Sthapati Brindo Ltd and Ehsan Khan.

Nature cetre4

Because of its location and the ideas that is promotes, the center had to protect the environment as much as possible so no trees could be torn down in the process and the building had to have a nature-friendly design and structure. It has reinforces concrete platforms and the concrete slabs are pierced by tree trunks where necessary.

Centre in a protected forest and nature reserve
Centre in a protected forest and nature reserve

The platform is designed in layers and there’s a raised level where the visitors can go to observe and analyze the surroundings. Inside, there’s also an exhibition area that has been especially created for the visitors. Moreover, there’s also a specially-designed space where they can watch movies. It has exposed, burnt clay brick walls.

Centre in a protected forest and nature reserve
Centre in a protected forest and nature reserve

The exterior design of this center seems to naturally disappear into the surroundings as it shares the color and texture of the forest. It’s more visible during the night when the lights come on. Building this educational center in an actual protected forest was a very clever idea because it’s one thing to teach something in theory and it’s a completely different thing to be able to actually see what you’re talking about.