SHINDHUTORI: A FLOATING RECREATIONAL HUB (RESORT & CRAFT CENTRE)

North South University, Department of Architecture, Dhaka

Idea projektu

Char Kukri Mukri Island is just beside the Bay of Bengal. It is the last char connected with the Bay of Bengal, a mix of microclimates with dunes, mangrove forests, and a special estuary ecology impacted by daily tidal surges. Deers, monkeys, oxen, and foxes are the most common animals that live here. Apart from these, there are many animals such as fishing cats, otters, water monitors, etc. Also, many types of vulnerable species are seen here. The char is famous for winter camping. People mostly visit here for camping, trailing in the mangrove, etc., during winter. In winter, a fascinating play of migratory birds is seen in many char areas. People travel from all over Bangladesh to enjoy the scenic beauty. But at other times of the year, especially during monsoon, tourists are hardly seen there. Because most of the tourist places, as well as most of the lands of the char, remain underwater. The government is planning many tourism projects to develop shortly. So, the selected land was 8 acres where I designed the resort and craft center.
Before we get into the concept of the project I would like to add one thing, we know the southern part of Bangladesh had the most fascinating boats in the past. They were like floating sculptures in the river and sea. After studying and going in-depth about the traditional boat history, I have come to know that Bhola had the most expert and talented Boat craftsmen. They created the most beautiful; boats that were seen in rivers and sea. We used to export boats. But as the use lessened and engine-used boats started to take their places, the wood-crafted boats started to lose their value. Thus, many of the artistic boats have been extinct and others are near to extinction. There were about 56 types of boats that were seen all around the waterways of Bangladesh. As a result, the craftsmen lose their jobs. If it keeps going, we will soon lose our Boat heritage. We are forgetting that these boats are our own Heritage. We should come forward to do something so that it keeps it alive.
This project proposes the development of a resort in Char Kukri Mukri, an island located beside the Bay of Bengal, which integrates traditional Bangladeshi boat-building heritage with sustainable architecture and ecological preservation. The resort aims to preserve the craftsmanship of traditional boats, which have largely declined due to the rise of engine-powered boats, by utilizing them as floating accommodations. The design incorporates three types of traditional boats—Ghasti, Gosti, and Bathnai—that were once prevalent in the Bhola district. In addition to preserving boat heritage, the resort embraces the unique natural environment of the island, including its mangrove forests, tidal cycles, and vulnerability to cyclones. Sustainable materials, such as bamboo, are used for construction to adapt to the site's climate challenges and to minimize environmental impact. The project includes a craft center for boat repair and display, as well as various recreational activities such as camping, kayaking, and ziplining. By combining cultural heritage with sustainable tourism, this resort aims to provide an immersive experience for visitors while contributing to the conservation of traditional boat craftsmanship and the local ecosystem.

Popis projektu

This project proposes the development of an eco-sensitive resort and craft center on Char Kukri Mukri, a remote island situated beside the Bay of Bengal in southern Bangladesh. Known for its rich biodiversity, unique estuarine ecology, and winter tourism potential, the island presents an opportunity to integrate sustainable tourism with cultural heritage preservation.
The resort is designed not only as a hospitality destination but as a living archive of traditional Bangladeshi boat craftsmanship, especially focusing on the lost and endangered wooden boats once crafted by the master boatbuilders of Bhola district. Historically, these boats—such as Ghasti, Gosti, and Bathnai—were intricate floating sculptures, both utilitarian and elite, that have now largely disappeared due to the rise of motorized transport.
At the heart of the resort’s concept is the use of traditional boats as floating accommodation units, reimagining their original forms for modern hospitality while preserving their cultural essence. These boats are moored along the island’s natural canals, offering guests immersive stays and echoing the historical experience of river life. This approach not only revives boat-making traditions but also prepares for climate resilience, as the boats can navigate rising tides or act as emergency shelters in cyclone-prone conditions.
The project is divided into three core zones:

Resort Zone – Includes floating accommodations crafted from the Ghasti, Gosti, and Bathnai boats. Land-based facilities such as the reception, restaurant, and staff housing are built from locally available bamboo, with lightweight, easily assembled structures shaped like traditional boat awnings to harmonize with the overall theme.

Boat Heritage & Craft Center – A dedicated space where local craftsmen repair, build, and display traditional boats, preserving their legacy through live demonstrations and exhibitions. Bamboo walkways and bridges allow visitors to interact with full-scale boats, enriching their understanding of this nearly lost heritage.

Activity & Nature Zone – Engaging programs such as mangrove trailing, camping, ziplining, kayaking, treehouse stays, and boat tours around the island support eco-tourism while creating economic opportunities for the local community.

Environmental sustainability is central to the project. The project addresses environmental concerns through sustainable design and landscape integration. Bamboo, a lightweight and locally available material, is used extensively due to its resilience and adaptability to humid climates. The architecture of the fixed structures—such as administration, restaurants, and staff quarters—mirrors the curved shapes of boat awnings, designed for shade and efficient rainwater runoff.

Mangrove ecology plays a central role in the landscape design. Although the site initially lacked trees, surrounding areas contain natural and planted mangrove forests. The project enhances this ecosystem by introducing native species like Sundari, Keora, and Golpata. These trees protect the shoreline, reduce erosion, and support local biodiversity. Keora trees attract fish during tidal surges, which in turn attract birds and small mammals. The thoughtful planting of these trees contributes to extending the mangrove cover and supporting the estuarine food chain.

Technické informace

The construction system for the resort at Char Kukri Mukri is designed to respond to the island's ecological sensitivity, tidal variability, and cyclone-prone climate. The project integrates traditional materials and techniques, especially focusing on bamboo and reclaimed wood, to develop a lightweight, modular, and sustainable architecture. The construction approach is divided into two primary typologies: 1. floating boat-based structures , 2. land-based stilted structures.
1. Floating Accommodation Units (Traditional Boats)
The accommodation units are designed using three types of traditional boats—Ghasti, Gosti, and Bathnai—that once navigated the waters of Bhola. These boats are retrofitted to serve as floating rooms. Their original hulls are preserved and reinforced using durable, marine-grade hardwoods treated for water resistance and longevity. The superstructure on each boat is composed of a lightweight bamboo frame, which forms the walls and roof. The roof design mimics the traditional awning or canopy structure seen in historic Bangladeshi boats, built using pre-bent bamboo ribs and covered with thatch or waterproof tarpaulin. These boats are anchored using rope-and-pole systems or floating docks that allow for limited movement during tides and can be quickly detached for evacuation during cyclones. Their buoyancy and mobility make them an effective form of disaster-resilient accommodation.
2. Land-Based Structures (Admin, Restaurant, Craft Center)
All fixed structures on land, including the reception, restaurant, staff quarters, and the craft center, are built on raised bamboo stilts to accommodate seasonal flooding and tidal surges. The stilt system ranges from 15-20 feet in height and is supported by simple stone or reinforced concrete footings, depending on the soil condition. The floor structures are made from bamboo planks fixed on timber joists, providing both ventilation and flexibility. The walls are constructed with woven split bamboo panels, optionally finished with a breathable clay-lime plaster that provides insulation and texture.
The roof system follows a distinctive curved form, echoing the silhouette of traditional boats. It consists of a bamboo truss system with multiple ribs covered by layers of waterproof fabric or tarpaulin and finished with local thatch, such as golpata or nipa palm. Small ventilation gaps are incorporated into the upper roof section to promote natural airflow, reduce internal heat gain, and maintain comfort in the humid coastal climate. All joinery is done with natural materials—jute ropes, coir fiber, and bamboo pins—minimizing the use of metal fasteners, which are prone to corrosion in the saline air.
Others:
a. Pathways, Bridges, and Circulation:
Circulation across the site is designed to be primarily water-based, using canals and waterways. However, elevated bamboo walkways and bridges connect various land-based components. These paths are constructed using treated bamboo decking and supported on bamboo piles or timber frames. Rope railings and hand-lashed bamboo balustrades provide safe passage without disrupting the landscape. Bridges are designed to allow for movement with rising and falling tides, using flexible joint connections and cantilevered decks where needed.
b. Interior Elements and Fenestration:
Interior elements such as doors, windows, and furniture are custom-designed using bamboo and reclaimed wood. Doors are framed in bamboo with woven panel infill, while windows are equipped with louvered bamboo shutters and mosquito nets. Ventilation is prioritized in all units, with clerestory openings under the roof curve and operable wall panels ensuring cross-flow of air, which is essential in tropical climates.
c. Utilities and Environmental Systems:
Rainwater is harvested from rooftops and stored in tanks with basic sand-charcoal filtration systems. Composting toilets and constructed wetlands for greywater treatment are incorporated throughout the site. These solutions ensure a closed-loop water and waste management system that is appropriate for the remote and sensitive island ecosystem.
d. Material Strategy:
Materials are chosen for their sustainability, availability, and traditional relevance. The core materials include treated bamboo, reclaimed hardwoods, natural thatch, and earth-based finishes. All structures are lightweight and modular, allowing for dismantling, repair, or relocation with minimal environmental disruption. Bamboo is selected not only for its renewability but also for its ability to withstand high winds when properly treated and joined.