Syeda Iffat Zahan

Advisor: Carlos Rueda

A collage of pictures of people
Assessment of the quality of spaces in the Multicultural community center through collages.
diagram of building layers with floorplans
Isometric view of the Multicultural Community Center with the surrounding neighborhood (Left), Exploded floor plans showing floor-wise program and the connectivity (Right).
a collage of building details
Exploded 3D showing the position of different materials used in the building.
A white car on a street with people walking on the sidewalk and a building with a red top floor in the distance
View from the northeast corner of Ellice Avenue towards the building, showing the Winnipeg Central Mosque on the right and the Community Church on the left, representing the diversity of this neighborhood.
A building with a staircase and people walking around
View of the Central Open Courtyard from the East Plaza, where people are enjoying a dance concert.
A person in a white dress looking into a lower area with a large staircase
View of East Plaza and the Central Open Courtyard from the connecting bridge. In the background, we can see the downtown skyline.
room with a group of people
The Community Hall with the movable partition, celebrating two different types of events simultaneously (Top). The community hall without the partition wall makes the whole space one big celebration space for a large event (Bottom).

Creating a Cultural Haven - Fostering Harmony in a Mosaic of Diversity

This thesis delves into human migration and its effects on communities, focusing on historical and personal migration experiences. Human migration has been a fundamental aspect of human civilization for centuries, as individuals and groups have continuously relocated in pursuit of various reasons such as escaping war, famine, poverty, religious intolerance, political persecution, seeking new economic opportunities, or simply for travel and business. Archaeological and genetic evidence suggests that human migration originated from Africa around 60,000 years ago, gradually spreading to Europe, Asia, Australia, and eventually the Americas1.
The study draws on my own migration journey, examining cultural dynamics in four cities: Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Dhaka, and Winnipeg. Each city offered distinct insights into community life, cultural practices, and social interactions, reflecting both diversity and commonality.

Cumilla, my birthplace, featured a closely-knit community centered around shared activities and gatherings. Brahmanbaria expanded my exposure to diverse local occupations and cultural understandings. Dhaka, a bustling megacity, showcased the challenges and opportunities presented by urban diversity. With its rich multicultural tapestry, Winnipeg exemplified the concept of a cultural mosaic, fostering hybrid cultural expression.
Through these experiences, it has been noted that the diverse yet interconnected nature of communities is characterized by varying interests, traditions, and cultural practices. Upon settling in Winnipeg, the exploration encountered a heightened contrast of cultural diversity, manifested through disparities in ethnicity, religion, and language, contributing to the city's vibrant cultural tapestry.

The thesis is inspired by the principles of multiculturalism and focuses on designing a community center for the West End Community. The proposed center, located on Ellice Avenue, aims to be a hub for unity and transformation. It will include a plaza, community hall, multi-ethnic grocery store, multi-faith worship space, public garden, event spaces, café, gaming zone, library, and roof gallery. The design draws inspiration from the symbolism of a tree and aims to create an inclusive environment where people from diverse backgrounds can gather, celebrate, and share their cultures.

This thesis is driven by the goal of creating an architectural representation of the diverse West End community. The aspiration is to provide a space that not only celebrates individual identities but also encourages cultural exchange and social engagement. This inclusive space is designed to be a meeting point for all, fostering social cohesion, positive dialogue, and collective efforts towards communal prosperity.


1 “Global Human Journey,” Education, accessed May 13, 2024, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/global-human-journey/.