Buriganga Riverview: Redefining dining with design and heritage

It was a hot summer day when I braved the infamous traffic jam of Puran Dhaka to reach Sadarghat Terminal-2. In a crowded neighbourhood bustling with life, as I entered the mesmerising establishment, I felt at peace. 

I was visiting Buriganga Riverview Restaurant by Powerbits Limited. Nestled along the banks of the Buriganga River, it stands out as a fusion of architectural elegance and culinary excellence, seamlessly blending modern design with the river's timeless charm. 

Tasked with creating a space that reflects both aesthetic beauty and national pride, architect Al Mamun Ur Rashid and his firm Amur Architecture meticulously crafted an experience where visitors can savour not only exquisite cuisine but also the breathtaking views of the age-old Buriganga River, the lifeline of Dhaka.

"Everyone in Dhaka city has an emotional connection to the Buriganga River. When we first got the project from the client, we understood the importance of the location. Beside the location, there is the river. Nearby, there are historical buildings of Puran Dhaka. So, we first studied the architecture of the old buildings of the area," Mamun said. 

The layout of the restaurant 

Launched on 1 January 2023, the restaurant resembles a boat mooring at the port. 

The spatial arrangement of the restaurant reflects a clear understanding of the site's context. The  indoor section, facing the roadside, does not accommodate panoramic views. Here, one can enjoy the awe-inspiring ambience, with VIP indoor rooms situated at either end, offering complete seclusion and unparalleled intimacy. 

The site's dominant north-south orientation also played a critical role in the project's form generation. A 15-feet block has been strategically placed in an east-west arrangement, allowing for optimal air circulation within the outdoor space. This clever utilisation of airflow enables a refreshing ambience. 

The philosophy behind the boat design 

"The design integrates fluid, organic curves inspired by the natural flow of the river. The glass walls and transparent floors provide a seamless visual connection to the water, enhancing the diners' experience of being one with nature," said Mamun. 

"Even from the inside, the structure needs to be like a large-scale signature piece. To achieve this, we conducted extensive studies, particularly from an architectural standpoint, focusing on form and form development," Mamun said. 

"We explored how the structure could seamlessly blend with the riverbank environment while evoking a sense of familiarity and belonging for the people." 

Given that Sadarghat is a historic port and the largest river terminal in the country, with deep-rooted national significance, the team decided to integrate the structure into the landscape so that it does not merely appear as a ship docked at the port but rather as an intrinsic part of the ghat itself. 

The idea was to create a form that resonated with the familiar silhouette of boats moored along the shore.

To refine this concept, they conducted extensive aerial studies using drones to capture different perspectives of Sadarghat — how launches and boats aligned with the docks from above and from the side. 

"In our exploration, we found that while launches serve primarily as a mode of transportation, boats hold a deeper cultural and historical significance for the people of Bangladesh. Boats are integral to rural life, providing livelihoods and mobility across waterways. This led us to conduct detailed studies on boat structures, examining their various components — the canopy (chhoi), sails, and seating areas at the front and rear where boatmen navigate. These geometric elements informed our design approach, shaping the structure's form," Mamun explained the idea behind making the restaurant resemble a boat. 

"While launches serve primarily as a mode of transportation, boats hold a deeper cultural and historical significance for the people of Bangladesh. Boats are integral to rural life, providing livelihoods and mobility across waterways. This led us to conduct detailed studies on boat structures, examining their various components — the canopy, sails, and seating areas at the front and rear where boatmen navigate. These geometric elements informed our design approach."

Al Mamun Ur Rashid, Principal Architect, Amur Architecture

From a distance, the building evokes the abstraction of a boat. The sail has been reimagined as a shading device for the structure, providing cover in a functional and aesthetic manner. The seating areas at the front and rear of traditional boats have been transformed into dedicated spaces within the structure. 

Meanwhile, the core seating area beneath the central canopy has been incorporated as the main functional zone. The height and side elements have been meticulously developed by integrating the key features of traditional boats into an abstracted architectural form. Through this process, the structure gradually took shape, culminating in a detailed design phase.

Material selection 

"Material selection was another crucial aspect. While we could have opted for industrial materials such as steel, iron, or aluminium, we chose to incorporate locally sourced materials that resonate with our history, culture, and climate. The objective was to create a space that felt inherently native, avoiding any impression of being an imported or machine-made structure," said Mamun. 

For the primary construction, the team used a combination of steel and reinforced concrete. However, the majority of the materials — such as wood and bamboo — were selected for their strong connections to Bangladesh's heritage. Indigenous wood types, including palm wood, have been extensively used in interior spaces, reflecting the materials traditionally associated with boats and river terminals. 

Instead of tiled flooring, the team used wooden planks, drawing inspiration from rural homes where wooden platforms are commonly used for storing crops. Additionally, considering the proximity of historic buildings such as Ahsan Manzil and other century-old structures, they sought to respect the architectural heritage of the area by incorporating old hand-made bricks. 

Launched on 1 January 2023, the restaurant resembles a boat mooring at the port. It has both indoor and outdoor spaces, hosting about 550 guests at a time. Phot: Courtesy.

"For this, we sourced bricks from a 250-year-old house in Madhukhali, Faridpur. The entire structure was carefully dismantled, and the bricks were transported to Dhaka, where they were repurposed for constructing the walls. This approach ensured that the structure not only reflected historical craftsmanship but also paid homage to traditional building techniques," said Mamun. 

"Ultimately, our aim was to create a design that felt deeply rooted in Bangladesh's architectural identity. By drawing inspiration from local history, culture, and materials, we ensured that the structure did not evoke a foreign or industrial aesthetic but rather felt inherently connected to its surroundings and the people it was built for," he said. 

One of the key design considerations for this project was the visual connection to the river. The site offers a stunning view of the Buriganga, especially during sunrise and sunset and as launches depart from Sadarghat. To maintain this visual connectivity, glass elements were incorporated thoughtfully. The shape of the glass panels, particularly in the railings, was inspired by the natural waves of the river. Instead of using flat, conventional glass, a curved form was adopted, mimicking the fluidity of the water.

Initially, importing curved glass seemed like the only option, which was highly expensive. However, after extensive research, a local factory capable of producing curved glass was identified. 

Shading and landscaping were also crucial elements in the project. Various trees were planted, and the planter boxes — typically made of steel or concrete — were instead crafted from finely hand-carved wood. A specific type of ironwood, imported from Nigeria, was chosen for its durability and resistance to decay.

The interior design 

From a functional perspective, the project was conceived on an international scale with an expanded budget. At one point, the client granted a "limitless budget" approach, allowing for greater flexibility in design. This enabled an increase in seating capacity to accommodate about 500-550 guests simultaneously, allowing for a total of more than 1,500 diners over three meal shifts. The venue includes extensive indoor and outdoor seating, as well as semi-outdoor areas. 

Instead of using flat, conventional glass, a curved form was adopted in the railings, mimicking the fluidity of the water. Photo: Courtesy.

The VIP rooms are luxurious, catering to the preferences of the foreign guests who often frequent the restaurant. 

To cater to corporate needs, a conference room was integrated into the design, allowing businesses to host events and corporate parties. A dedicated party room was also introduced. The washrooms have been designed to meet five-star standards with premium materials, lighting, and spacious layouts. The project features a massive kitchen, approximately 1,500 square feet, with an adjoining bakery to support large-scale food preparation.

To enhance the dining experience, the top floor has been transformed into a "pod system," a concept widely used in Western countries but introduced in Bangladesh for the first time. These private, open-yet-ventilated pods can accommodate groups of 12-15 people, offering a semi-private dining experience with a scenic view of the river. Two such pods were designed on the eastern and western sides of the river, complemented by an open kitchen for live barbecue and kebab preparations.

The entryway received special attention, leveraging an existing circular void in the building's facade at Sadarghat, allowing natural light to illuminate the staircase lobby.

Mamun said, "On a national level, this project addresses a significant gap in Bangladesh's urban landscape — utilising riverside spaces for entertainment and social engagement. Most waterfront areas remain underutilised, with no dedicated entertainment or social spaces. Given that this site was leased from the government, it presented a rare opportunity to create an iconic project. The success of this initiative could potentially inspire both the government and private sector to repurpose other riverside locations into vibrant, multi-use spaces." 

He recalled how a presentation on this project was made to the Secretary of the River Port Authority, showcasing international examples from Turkey, London, Sydney, and Shanghai — where iconic riverside structures contribute to national identity. As budget constraints were not a limiting factor anymore, the design was developed to meet international standards, ensuring that visitors do not perceive it as a local project but rather as a world-class space within Bangladesh.

"The project's launch event was attended by ministers and distinguished guests, many of whom remarked that the ambiance made them feel as if they were dining in Turkey or another global city," Mamun said proudly.