The decision to construct Jatiya Sangsad Complex at Dhaka was originally taken in 1959. Then Martial Law Administration planned to build the present Sangsad Bhaban as the second seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan (before 1971) in the proposed second capital area, which was designated as Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Louis I Kahn, was initially selected for designing the Jatiya Sangsad complex. He was not commissioned out-right but was asked to present a preliminary ideas and outline for the complex, and eventually in March 1962 he was formally commissioned for the job.
A sprawling area of 208 acres of land to the north of present Manik Mia Avenue was acquired in 1961 for the project of the second capital and the master plan was ready in 1962. The construction started in 1964 with an initial estimated cost of about $15 million. The construction of the complex along with all services and facilities was completed in 1982 at a revised cost of $32 million.
The complex includes the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, hostels for members of Parliament, ministers and secretaries, hospitality halls and community buildings all linked by roads and walkways. Jatiya Sangsad was designed by Louis I Kahn, then enlisted his former teacher at Yale. Construction was halted during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and was completed on 28 January 1982.
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