March 17, 1974: He died in a bathroom at Penn Station in New York; he wasn't identified for three days. He had returned from a trip to Bangladesh, had his passport on him, but his home address and contact information had been crossed out ... unreadable. They learned later that even though he was a world-renown architect, he was heavily in debt.
Let me tell you about his work in India. No -- let me have someone from Bangladesh tell you about his work.
Shamsul Wares said, "It was almost impossible for a country like ours ... this building. Thirty- fifty years back, it was nothing ... only paddy fields. And since we invited him here, he felt that he has got a responsibility, he wanted to be Moses here. He gave us democracy.
He is not a political man, but in disguise he has given us an institution for democracy, from where we can rise. And that weight is so relevant.
He didn't care for how much money this country has or whether he would ever be able to finish this building. But, somehow he has been able to do it ... build it here. And this is the largest project he has -- in the poorest country in the world.
He has given us this building and we feel all the time for him. That's why he has given love for us."
He was speaking of Louis Kahn.
Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban, designed by Louis I. Kahn, houses the National Parliament of Bangladesh. Photo by Karl E. Roehl
So many lessons here.
If you want to introduce a people to democracy, build them up, don't tear them down.
If you want your country to be filled with princes and princesses, build them a castle.
If you want to earn love, give it away.
And, if you want to know more about Louis Kahn and his work, through the eyes of his son, see My Architect, by Nathaniel Kahn.
