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Cultural Complex Multan

Part 2 Project 2002
Ehsan Ul Haq
Claire Harper
University of Engineering & Technology Lahore | Pakistan
PROJECT: CULTURAL COMPLEX MULTAN.

Multan is an ancient city, which is located almost in the center of Pakistan. Its history dates back to five thousand years having the characteristics of the famous Indus Valley. There are more than a dozen of tombs of Muslim Saints. These surviving religious buildings represent the historical background and architectural techniques, materials, components and motifs of decoration and their era. The climate of Multan City is hot, arid and dry in summer and cold in winter.

In the culture of Multan, massive elements, fair face and blue Multani tiles have been used. The tombs have been made of naked burnt brick of earthy color. The slit windows or narrow opening have made because of hot and dry climate.

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT:

The purpose of the Multan Cultural Complex is to promote and enhance the rich and historical culture of the region.

DESIGN CONSIDERATION:

In the proposed cultural complex the building itself reflects the massive fair face structure with blue Multani tile bands, which is the typical style of Multan. The major functions of the proposed cultural complex are:

Exhibition Galleries_______________Visual Art/ Visual Culture

Library ________________Reading Manuscript

Theaters/ Auditorium________________Performing Art

Theaters and Auditoriums are used to promote culture through performance, in which the audience stay at one place, while in exhibition galleries the culture is promoted through direct contact, hence they act as visual art promoter.

Exhibitions galleries should be used to promote the locally made handicrafts, woodcrafts, pottery, carpets, rugs etc. and exhibit them on national and internal levels.
I have provided both facilities with such care, so that the complex will be more functional/ beneficial for day and night activities. The parking has been provided according to the vehicle ownership pattern of Multan with facilities of bus and rickshaw stands. Pedestrians and vehicular accesses are separately provided without creating any confusing. Another entrance have provided for services, actors, staff and pedestrians.

CLIMATIC CONSIDERATION:

The main spaces (like reading halls, exhibition galleries) have placed towards north side. External walls are provided with cavity. Slit windows have used for narrow opening effect. Covered corridors have provided for pedestrians. The buildings heights have increased and they are provided with centrally atrium, which provides clerestory effect.

Ehsan Ul Haq
Claire Harper


Multan is one of the oldest cities of Pakistan. It has a deep history and culture. Its history dates much before Christ. Many rulers of different religions have ruled over here in different periods. There are many mausoleums of Muslim Saints, which are the dominating features of the Multan. It has hot and dry climate.

The Project Cultural Complex Multan has assigned to the student Mr.Ehsan to promote the cultural activities of the region. His work is the result of thoughtful search. He has considered all the aspects related to the project, (like climate, sun orientation, form, function, services, cost etc.). In his proposed design, the form of the building itself shows the typical style of the Multan. The functions of the proposed buildings (theatres, auditorium, art galleries, library) are directly related to the culture. They are much effective to exhibit it and locally made handicrafts on national and international level.

In master plan, the separate buildings have placed rather than a complex, so that work may execute in steps. It is the basic requirement of the MDA (Multan developing authority).

The buildings are designed energy efficient. It will reduce the air conditioning load. In the placement of buildings the sun orientation have considered. It is a brave attempt of making something new, which fulfills all requirement of the physibility of the project. The student’s project was considered best out of 28 projects.

Tutor(s)

2002
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