Located on the tidal banks of the Pashur River, adjacent to the Sundarbans mangrove forest, the BNS Mongla Master Plan emerges from one of the most ecologically delicate landscapes of southern Bangladesh. The site’s high salinity, tidal influence, and humid tropical climate required a design approach rooted in environmental intelligence and contextual sensitivity.

An additional challenge lay in the integration of existing naval facilities spread across the site. The design evolved not as a replacement, but as a cohesive reorganization—weaving together existing and new structures into a unified and resilient spatial framework that respects both the natural terrain and the operational rhythm of naval life.

The planning concept stems from an understanding that architecture within a coastal ecosystem must act as an extension of the landscape. The design therefore emphasizes porosity, green continuity, and hydrological balance rather than rigid geometry.
A clear zoning hierarchy ensures both efficiency and comfort:

Administrative and command functions near the main access for visibility and control.
Shipyard and technical workshops along the riverfront for direct operational linkage.
Residential and community facilities—including the mosque, hospital, and parade ground—set within greener, shaded interiors that offer calmness and privacy.

The planning language connects all zones through green corridors, courtyards, and open water networks, ensuring human-scaled movement and environmental harmony.

Given Mongla’s saline soil and flood-prone terrain, the design introduced a raised plinth level of 4’-6”, safeguarding built structures from tidal surges and surface runoff. The master plan integrates a comprehensive rainwater harvesting system, channeling roof and surface runoff into retention ponds and filtration beds. The collected water is reused for landscape irrigation and service functions, minimizing dependence on external sources.

The prevailing south-easterly wind was harnessed for natural ventilation, while northern daylight is optimized to create soft, diffused interior illumination. Existing water bodies were preserved and expanded to act as climate moderators and ecological sanctuaries. A continuous green buffer—composed of native trees such as Keora, Sundari, and Golpata protects the site from salinity and dust while reviving the natural coastal vegetation belt. These green zones also serve as habitats for migratory birds and local species, reinforcing biodiversity within the naval precinct.

The landscape design transforms the site into a living ecological system.

Rainwater channels filter and recharge groundwater.
Native vegetation belts stabilize soil and reduce heat islands.
Water gardens and shaded pedestrian trails create visual and thermal comfort.
Small wetland pockets and tree clusters attract local birds and small fauna, restoring ecological continuity between the river edge and inner land.

Through these strategies, the base not only functions as an operational infrastructure but also as an environmental learning ground, where built and natural systems coexist symbiotically.

Material selection and construction techniques were guided by local availability and climatic endurance. Brick, concrete, and shaded corridors create durability and comfort in the saline air. The plan minimizes earth cutting and emphasizes adaptive reuse of existing buildings, reducing environmental footprint.All infrastructure follows a low-impact development model—water-sensitive, energy-conscious, and ecologically restorative—turning a once-challenged coastal site into a sustainable navalsettlement.

The BNS Mongla Master Plan stands as an architectural dialogue between functionality and ecology, between discipline and landscape. It redefines the image of a naval base—not as a purely technical establishment, but as a self-sustaining coastal ecosystem that celebrates resilience, community, and coexistence.Through its integration of rainwater systems, native biodiversity, and adaptive landform planning, the project illustrates how visionary design can transform environmental challenges into opportunities for renewal and balance.