Amazing Wave Bridge : Henderson Waves

Amazing Wave Bridge : Henderson Waves
Henderson Road : Singapore


Recently another amazing attraction of Singapore caught my eye, I stumble upon this walk way. Despite of popular infinity pools of Marina Bay Sand, this bridge is amazing:
Henderson Waves (亨德森波浪桥)) is a 274-metre (899 ft)long pedestrian bridge. At 36 metres (118 ft) above Henderson Road, it is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. It connects Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park. It was designed by IJP Corporation, London, and RSP Architects Planners and Engineers (PTE) ltd Singapore.The bridge has a wave-form made up of seven undulating curved steel ribs that alternately rise over and under its deck. The curved ribs form alcoves that function as shelters with seats within. Slats of yellow balau wood, an all-weather timber found in Southeast Asia, are used in the decking. The wave-forms are lit with LED lamps at night from 7pm to 2am daily.[Wiki]



The 1,500 square meter timber deck sitting on top of the steel structure is the centrepiece of the project.The complex, doubly-curved portions of this large expanse of tropical hardwood form a tapestry of 5000 modular boards, each varying by a single degree every 10m –and many tapered to measure. The entire deck being supported on a steel sub-frame with vibration dampeners, the coordination of steel and timber became a challenging task. Using its proprietary equations, the architect issued precise numerical descriptions of the surface at regular 500mm intervals, and provided dimensional coordinates that greatly assisted the production of the timber manufacturer’s shop drawings.[Source]

Here is a youtuve video of this bridge, by Jawker :



Geo Tag: Google MaP | Bing Map

Magic Mountain Lodge : Waterfall Hotel

Magic Mountain Hotel : Montana Magica Lodge : Waterfall Hotel

Huilo Huilo : Panguipulli : Valdivia : Los Rios Region : Chile


Magic Mountain hotel is situated in a privately owned reserve forest in Huilo Huilo biological reserve, just 2.6 kilometers on national highway 203 from Puerto Fuy village of Southern Chile. Main attraction of this hotel is the waterfall[don't guess it's natural too] cascading from the top and water fall down by a side. The water in these places is of great purity, and from the idea of showing the energy and life of this element, the project is a mountain, from which comes this life and contains the magic of the forest trees inside, finding in each of its details, the beings and elements that are unique and irreplaceable native forests.

The most impressive character of this volcano shaped architect is the nature around its area, combined with forest setting. To me this lodge is a classic example of eco-friendly or naturally sustainable tourism. Half of the exterior of this surprise architect is covered with exotic herbs of South America, which makes this hotel camouflaged in forest. Like magical exterior, interior of this lodge is also superbly decorated with many modern comforts.  Interior of hotel is decorated,designed and structured according to the traditional Chilean house by the local woods and stones. Windows,door and stairs, even walls are created using the local woods found around Puerto Fuy village by local craftsman.

There are nine rooms in this noble architecture, which are named after the local birds. It is a four star hotel, including sauna, restaurant, playing space for children, minigolf, reading rooms and special bathrooms in ancient logs heated with natural waters. It is really a great place to stay in jungle.
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Photos collected from the official web this hotel, for more photos click here.
Geotag : Google Map | Useful link : atlasobscura

Teota Palace : Another Ruined Rajbari

Teota Palace : Another Ruined Palace
Teota : Shibalaya : Manikganj : Bangladesh

Introduction

Teota(often pronounced as Tauta) is a place beside the Bank of mighty Jamuna river, is the home of another ruined palace of land lord; a heritage site, dated back to 1703. This is the second palace estate in Manikganj, but not so famous like the Baliati palace of Saturia. Last 17th Oct,2011 I visited the palace to check out its recent status. To my opinion, its is one one of the fascinating palaces in Bangladesh. If the entire estate would reenumerate, it would equally bring tourist and keep its glory alive like Ahsan Manjil or the Rangpur JamindarBari. Most of these photos in this post were taken in low resolution VGA Camera, i hope the readers will enjoy the pictures too.

Teota palace and Navaratna temple southern view

Background
Panchanan Ray Chaudhury,a tobacco business man from Dinajpur[3] , founded this palace to collect revenue durring the Company rule[1]. According to DC of Manikganj, the estate was home for two brothers, named Hemshankar Ray Chaudhury and Jay Shankar Ray Chaudhury, who use this estate complex for collecting revenue[2].

Teota Palace various snaps, click on pic for large view 

Teota Palace: ruins custody & corridor to stair click on pic for large veiw

Architect Style and Interior
The palace has a lot of similarities with another palace of Baliati, .This palace,comprising a maze of courtyards and buildings[3]on 7.38 acres of land, blocks accommodated sleeping chambers, a large ballroom with sun roof, dining hall,prayer hall, guest house, a charitable dispensary, stable, attendants quarter,conference hall and  hidden chambers. Entire palace contains some 55 chambers for various types of use. Most of these rooms ruined and faded in course of time. 
Most interesting fact about this palace is that, its a blend of both Mughal and European style of late 18th century. Plinths and stair rooms were made according to the Mughals, again lot of motifs reminds me the Greek Style of ceiling. Check  out the following photo, the sample of two enriched architect of the world.

Teota Palace: Mughal and European decoration click on pic for large view 

Teota Palace ; Various motifs and decors, click on pic for large view 

Most of these motifs are of flowers and petals, i rarely found any of the animals or motif of human around. Though the palace is faded away, but these decorations proved that the estate is one of the most prominent and graceful place in its vicinity at it glorious days. Tourist will find the ruins of entrance gate and 'katcharighar'-the court room at premises of complex.


Navaratna Temple
There is a Navaratna Temple (e.g. Kantanagar) at the premises of the palace, which seems lot more 'younger' than the original palace, to me! The temple was built around 1920s[1], owners of this palace tried to make the temple in European style rather using traditional  Hindu mythological decor. The remarkable Navaratna adjoining the rajbari, built in honour of the family god and used during the ‘Dol' festival, is among the tallest and most elegant ones of its kind [3]it is 75 feet high. I guess, the temple is white washed and plastered by local community several time. See the following photos:

Navaratna Temple Beside Teota Palace | click on pic for large view

Navartna Temple of Teota | click on pic for large view

How to reach there
Before going to Teota, travelers must reach Aricha port. Bus from Dhaka to Aricha is available at Gabtali or Fultali bus stand. bus fare depends upon the hike of oil price(90 to 100 taka). After reaching Aricha one can reach Teota by Rickshaw or electric wheelers(fare ranges from 15 to 20 taka) , check out the google map at the end the post :)

Teota Palace and Navaratna Mandir

Conclusion
Teota palace is somehow connected with Promila Nazrul, wife of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Biren Sen, a cousin of Promila, was friend of Nazrul. There is a rumor that Nazrul saw Promila at this palace first before marry her. Entire palace is now acquired by government. Land register of Teota is using a chamber at ground floor of this palace, there is a new Kaali Mandir is situated on the Nothern side of the palace. Like other Jamindar estates, this palace is also surrounded by some 4 ponds, Western tank is the largest of these ponds. Estate is now surrounded by Teota Union Council, fish market and other commodities. In the early days Jamuna river was directly visible from the frontal terrace of the palace. Now some 56 flood refuged families residing in the palace since the independence of Bangladesh[2].
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Geotag : Google Map

Ali Amjad Khan's Clock Tower : Oldest & First in Bangladesh

Ali Amjad Khan's Clock Tower : Oldest & First in Bangladesh

Chandnighat : Kotwali : Sylhet : Bangladesh

I find so few tourist who did not see the singular clock tower crossing the Kean Bridge of Sylhet. Most of them notice it properly or at least stare at it once. Clock tower is not an interesting thing to watch with attention to many people world wide; but it is really a rare tower in Bangladesh. Again, there is no Big Ben in Bangladesh; but many urban dwellers of Dhaka and Sylhet may disagree that a clock tower is not so interesting subject to write blog about it. To me, Ali Amjad's clock tower is a special one and clearly distinctive from the other two of Dhaka's DIT and Nagar Baban towers(see picture 1).

Picture 1: Clock towers of Nagar Bhaban and Dhaka DIT, now RAJUK

Ali Amjad's Clock Tower

Ali Amjad's* clock is a popular attraction of Sylhet City. Situated on the Northern bank of the Surma river at Chandnighat, down left to another most 'talk-about' subject - the Kean Bridge. This is the oldest and first clock tower of Bangladesh, as well as a singular genre. Ali Amjad Khan, a Nawab of Prithimpassa, built this tower. 

At far sight, one can easily presume it as a church, because of its structure. I wonder what was the color of corrugated sheets at the early days. I find the architecture  of it is also interesting  Tower is standing one an octagonal base, clock chamber is rectangular and lastly the crest of tower is a triangular pyramid.  

Picture 2: Ali Amjad's Clock Tower and the Kean Bridge

Picture 3 : Ali Amjad' s Clock Tower, from Ali Nasir Khan

Unlike other two dials this is not a part of a big building, it is build only to be a clock tower, and this is the best distinctive feature of this clock tower with others of Bangladesh. The clock is now active after a long time break. District Council of Sylhet maintains and provide mechanical support, these days. 

Background of This Clock

I guess, Ali Amjad was a philanthropist and had good taste to build this tower. But exactly since when this clock has been start ticking, I could not find out. I did ask the local people about the history, unfortunately Sylhety dialect was really more than Greek to me. I have dilemma about the exact story behind building this tower. Perhaps the following two sources could provide idea about the background story-

According to Nawab's family web, the clock was presented by Ali Amjad's father Nawab Ali Ahmed Khan, which he was later constructed around 1895(1301 Bangla Calender). Another source+,Ali Amjad was invited to see Delhi and thereby charmed by the clock made with the instigation of the princess of Delhi. He also craved to build the same and eventually made it with the similar design & pattern. 


Whatever the history is, I find this clock unique and notable attraction to write about.

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Picture Source: RAJUK and Nagar Bhaban,from Banglapedia | Wikipedia

History Soure : +Tour to Bangladesh | Prithimpassa Estate

Geotag: Google Map

*[alternatively pronounced as Ali Amzad ;and mistakenly Ali Amgad]

Baliati Palace : Unfaded Heritage

Baliati JamindarBari Palace : Unfaded Heritage

Baliati : Saturia : Manikganj : Bangladesh

Baliati Zamindarbari is situated about 35 miles northwest of Dhaka and 5 miles east of Manikganj district headquarters. Passing another jamindar palace of Dhankora on the way. There were two great periods of palace construction in India: the first corresponded to the period of Mughal supremacy from the mid-16th century to the mid-18th century and the second to the British Raj.Here are some of the amateur  snaps of this semi preserved archeological heritage :

Photography courtesy : Ayesha Sharmin for Sight By Walk. Rest of the album can be accessed here at the Facebook fanpage. Enjoy :)
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Geotag: Google Maps

Atiya Masjid : Retrospective to Shah Baba Kashmiri

Atiya Masjid : Retrospective to Shah Baba Kashmiri
Atiya : Delduar : Tangail : Bangladesh

Atiya masjid is one the impressive architecture of 16th century in this region. it is famous for its exceptional terracotta decoration, the blends of local Bengal art and Mughal crafts. Atiya Masjid was founded in honor of Shah Baba Kashmiri, a saint from Kashmir Region. Shah Baba Kashmiri's  name is a related subject with this Masjid. But he always lives in the shadow of this famous Mughal era erection. 

Me and my friends went to Atiya again in last 29th April. This time I stayed longer than my previous visit. We found out the place of Shah Baba Kashmiri, this time. The place is not a special, but it is situated in few step distance from the masjid. Though it is in closest vicinity of masjid compound, but tourist pay a rare visit to this place. Here it is, the possible place -

The place is a one domed building, having only one chamber inside; standing so close a to a detached lake of Lauhajang River.It stands on the North-West direction from the Masjid,  just 100 steps away, beside the main road. This building is now a center place of the primary school  of Atiya. There are squared building  four pilers. I believe this building was also equally decorated like the Masjid. Trees and roots on the roof covered this building as the silent witness that this place was not habitable for a long period.
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Photo Curtesy : Sarwar Hossain and Tanjir Mahmud Real
More low resolution photos of this tour is posted in Facebook page 
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Previous Post  > Atiya Masjid : 4 Century Old Architecture|Google Map

Dubalhati Rajbari : A Ruined Palace

Dubalhati Rajbari : A Ruined Palace

Bangaon : Dubalhati : Naogaon : Bangladesh

'Rajbari' means king's palace, in Bangla. Dubalhati Rajbari was originally the residence of the Maharajas of Dubalhati. About 53 Rajas and Jamindar(lanlords) ruled this place, governed from this palace. A feeder road through Deghoi Beel started from Naogaon Fisheries end, about 5.70 kilometers from Naogaon, provide the access to the palace area. 

Raja Harendra Ray Chaudhury  constructed the main fabric of this palace during the Pala Dynasty (750-1174). The architect of this palace is changed  from time to time, is now a ruined place, standing tall as an evidence of monarch of that area. The palace has been destroyed by the Pakistani army during the war of independence in 1971. Present foundation is a rebuilt construction after the devastating jolt in 1897.  

This palace blocks accommodated sleeping chambers, a Darbar(reception) hall, one dining hall, private theatre, prayer hall, guest house, stable and attendants quarter and a conference hall.  Northern facing of the palace presents facades and long masonry columns vows the test of king and fondness Greek style architect. A plastered motif is still there, hanging on the internal entrance of palace. A turret is survived the destruction of weather. Few  panel of terracotta is still there sticking on the wall. The palace was three storied building(first photo), now remain two floors left for further decay.

The entire palace area is surrounded by four ponds, in addition there are some six enormous tanks centering the palace. Most of these ponds were built for irrigation and supplying fresh water during the famine in 1874. There is a bazar (marketplace) in the vicinity of the palace. Probably archeology department has no budget for reconstruct this palace.
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Wiki's Description | Google Map | Google Earth
Photo Courtesy : Badiuzzaman Tamal 

Nayabad Masjid : Vestige of Mughal Architecture

Nayabad Masjid : Vestige of Mughal Architecture

Ramchandrapur: Kaharole: Dinajpur: Bangladesh

Introduction

Nayabad Masjid is an architectural vestige. which was built just after the  erection of  Kantanagar Temple. According to local traditions, the mosque was built by Muslim architectural workers who had come to this place from the west to build Kantanagar Temple sometime in mid-18th century. They had settled in Nayabad, a village near the temple, and had built the masjid for their own use.

Before Renovation From Banglapedia 

Location
The masjid is situated on the bank of the Dhepa river in village Nayabad in Ramchandrapur Union under Kaharol Thana of Dinajpur district, about 20 km to the north-west of the district town. The mosque, built on about 1.15 bighas of land, has been renovated by the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh.

Construction Period
An inscription on the central doorway records the date of its construction as 2 Jyaistha, 1200 (Bangla Calender) (1793 AD) in the reign of Mughal Emperor shah alam II. According to local traditions, the mosque was built by Muslim architectural workers who had come to this place from the west to build Kantanagar Temple sometime in mid-18th century. They had settled in Nayabad, a village near the temple, and had built the mosque for their own use.

Photo by Tanzirian

Architect
It is an oblong three-domed mosque with octagonal towers at the four corners and measures 12.45m ´ 5.5m externally. The walls are 1.10m thick. Of the three arched entrances the central one is bigger than the flanking ones. These are equal in height and width. The central arch is 1.95m high and 1.15m wide. There is an arched window each on the south and north sides. Multi-cusped arches have been used in the doorways and windows. There are three mihrabs inside in the western wall in line with the three entrances. The central mihrab (2,30m high and 1.08m wide) is bigger than the flanking ones which are of equal size. Three hemispherical domes cover the mosque, of which the central one is bigger than the side ones. Pendentives have been used in their phase of transition. The parapet and cornice are straight. 


Of the four corner towers in the four outer corners of the mosque two (northeastern and northwestern) still possess the cupolas on their top. The top of the other two is now bare. The corner towers are plastered and gradually tapering; each had a lantern-like chhatri on the top crowned with a cupola. Four bands at regular intervals decorate the surface of each tower.


Terra cotta
The terracotta plaques used in the decoration of the mosque have become loose and most of them have been damaged. At present there are about 104 terracotta plaques (rectangular in shape, 0.40m ´ 0.30m) used in the surface decoration of the mosque walls. Though damaged some of them show floral and creeper motifs. It is noteworthy that one contains a depiction of a pair of peacocks.


Interesting findings
There is a grave of a person in the premises of the Masjid. There is no proper information about this grave. There is a common rumor that this is the grave of Kalu Khan,the master architect  of Kantanagar Temple. Local people also believe that the masjid was build from the extra materials left after completing the temple.  A madrasa has recently been built in front of the Masjid. Another rumor about the builder is supported by the Daily Star, that this masjid belonging to the second phase development of Islamic period of Bengal was built by Skeikh Mujib Allah who lived in Parganah Nurour during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II in 1785 AD (A.H.1200). During that period the Zaminder was Raja Baidyanath, the last of the Dinajpur Raj family.


How to Reach There
One can start his journey for the monument from Dinajpur town or Sayedpur Airport by any kind of motorized vehicle. If he is a biker, than there is no problem. I suggest travelers to hire a rickshaw van of take a ride by 'Nosimon' from the place called 'Das Mile*, which means 10 miles' upto 'Baro Mile*, which means 12 miles' boat point.It may take 10-20 Taka person for ride. 

Travel route from Dasmile to Masjid in Google Map[CLICK FOR LARGE VIEW]

After Reaching Baro Mile point cross the Dhepa River. Travelers will find boatman waiting for crossing the silty river to Kantanagar hamlet. Than just little walk will lead the travelers to the premises of the temple. There is a road to the North Wast side of the temple, which lead the travelers to the Nayabad village, just a 15 minutes walk. Enjoy.
*These places are named base on the distance from Dinajpur Town.
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Mainly compiled from Banglapedia | The Daily Star |  Google Earth KMZ

Kantanagar Temple : The Exuberance of Terracotta Art

Kantanagar Temple : The Exuberance of Terracotta Art

Sundarpur: Kaharole: Dinajpur: Bangladesh

1870's from Wiki

Introduction

Kantanagar Temple [also known as Kantaji or kantajir Mandir or sporadically titled as Kanta-jiw(jew) Temple], an eighteenth century brick temple situated in the peaceful island hamlet of Kantanagar (Kantanagar), in Sundarpur Union; about 12 miles north of Dinajpur town, and about a mile west of Dinajpur-Tetulia highway across the Dhepa river.It has gained eminence as an outstanding monument in Bengal for its fabulous terracotta embellishment. A breath taking religious edifice belonging to the late medieval period, exhibits the exuberance of terracotta art at its best in Bangladesh. This nava-ratna or 'nine spired' Hindu temple, now stripped off its original nine spires atop its corners during the devastating earthquake of 1897.This temple is listed as world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.

Construction Period 
The confusion about the date of its construction can be settled from the record of a chronogram in the Sanskrit stone inscription, fixed on the northeast corner plinth of the temple. It records that Maharaja Prannath of Dinajpur began its construction about 1722. Bangladesh Archeology Department stated as,"Maharaja Pran Nath built it in 1752" in their website. 

From Banglapedia

It was completed by his adopted son Maharaja Ramnath, in Shaka era 1674 (1752 AD) in order to propitiate the consort of Rukmini in fulfillment of his father's wish. However, in the early 20th century Maharaja Girijanath Bahadur restored it substantially, except for the missing nine spires. The description in front of temple stated the erection of temple during 1704 AD-1752 AD.

Department of Archeology Bangladesh

A Nine Towered Temple

We already know that it was originally a Navaratna (nine- towered) temple, which are now ruined. Every inch of its surface is lavishly decorated with different scenes as described in the two Hindu Great Epics, various Hindu divinities, and contemporary social life and floral cum geometric motifs.
Temple rose in three receding terraces and was crowned with nine ornamental spires or ratnas (jewels) on the corner of the three terraces which imparted to it an appearance of a huge ratha or an ornate chariot resting on a high plinth. It was provided with arched openings on all four sides in order to enable devotees to see the deity enshrined inside from all directions.

Keetwoningen of The Netharlands: Biggest Container Housing

Living in the converted shipping container is very recent concept. The first implementation of using container for housing solution is found in Trinity Buoy Wharf, Leamouth. Day by day this concept of using the container for temporary  or permanent housing solution is getting popular in western countries. Here are two examples from the Netharlands. This housing complexes are made of recycled and ready for reuse shipping containers, locally known as  Keetowningen or containerwoningen(which literally means Container Homes):

1. HJ Wenckebachweg East Watergraafsmeer, Amsterdam
2. Dampsterdiep, Gorningen

1. HJ Wenckebachweg East Watergraafsmeer, Amsterdam

Keetowningen of Amsterdam is claimed to be the biggest city of container housing in the world, by the realted housing authority.

Temposhousing from Flickr

FEBER CPH from Flickr

keetowningen is the second significant example of such housing in Amsterdam,the project run by tempohousing. It is a student dormitory consists of 1000 temporary container houses. The project was started in late 2005 and completed in mid 2006. 

The blocks have a closed off internal area for safe bicycle parking, also including an automatic ventilation system with variable speeds. The heating is from a central natural gas boiler system. The hot water is supplied by one 50 liter tank per home and a high speed internet connection is included. 

Address :  
H.J.E. Wenckebachweg 3010 ,1096 DP Amsterdam, NL  [Google Street View]
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2.Dampsterdiep 269, Gorningen
This one is not so stylish like the Amsterdam's one. This complex is consist of 300 containers  divided in two blocks with external cycle and car parking facilities.  

Koos K from Panoramio

Address : 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands [Google Street View]
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Thanks to Kite Surfer for this precious info about the Groningen and correcting the local name of containers of thses recycled housing matarials. 

Tempo Housing | Google Earth KMZ| 
Bing Bird View Amsterdam | Bing Bird View Groningen

World's Tallest Wooden Skyscraper : Arkhangelsk

World's Tallest Wooden Skyscraper : Arkhangelsk
Архангельск : Russian Federation


As I mentioned about the Current Tallest Wooden Structure is situated in- 
Arkhangelsk, a city in Russia's far north-west, it is believed to be city of the world's tallest wooden house, soaring 13 floors to reach 144ft/43m high - about half the size of the tower of Big Ben. This unique house is also very popularly known as "the wooden gangster house" or "the largest log cabin in the world".

Yes! You are looking at the tallest wooden house in the world

The Story of The Fantasy Architecture 

Nikolay Sutyagin' the owner and the archeitecht of this house, started life in a Soviet communal two-storey flat. Sutyagin felt lonely living by himself. Building began in 1992 and for the past 15 years Sutyagin has dedicated much of his spare time transforming the house into what is considered the tallest wooden building in the world, or at least russia.

Pix credit: Lauri V from Panoramio

He was convinced by a trip to see wooden houses in Japan and Norway, he concluded that he had not used roof space efficiently enough and decided to keep building. The house is also crumbling, incomplete and under threat of demolition from city authorities. He firstly added three floors, but was not keen on the outcome, so he added more floors and just kept going....

worlds tallest log cabin and its architect,Pix from Design Boom

Nikolai Sutyagin's home is certainly different. Not only would his house be a perfect love nest, but it could even accommodate the 18 executives of his construction company. Now penniless Sutyagin lives in four poorly heated rooms at the bottom of his wooden log cabin with his wife. Many neighbours consider the building a monstrosity, others feel it is a glorified barn, fire hazard and eyesore but Sutyagin is determined to save his building and has erected a roof around the second floor that he says allows him to claim that everything above is decoration.

Yes! You are looking at the tallest wooden house in the world. Of course ! it's  man made.

Here is a TV report, shown in a Russian TV Channel, where NiKoaly described about his "perfection" and how did the possible 2 storied flat is emarged as a 13 storied log cabin. The city authority still not "happy" with its architecture, but this fantasy arcitecture, makes the city famous, watch:

 

Most impressive subject is that, Nikolay still thinks to grow his "Timber Temple" more higher...(thats my guess!)

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More Story | The Daily Telegraph | Common Gate 

 World Architecture News | Google Earth View (05/13/10)