Project Description

Rickshaws have been an essential part of Bangladesh's urban fabric since 1919, serving as both a primary mode of transport and a vital source of livelihood. This industry directly supports 2-5 million pullers and indirectly benefits 19.6 million people. Contributing 6% to the national GDP ($4.8 billion), rickshaws generate 34% of the transport sector's value-added, surpassing motorized vehicles. Beyond their economic role, they are deeply intertwined with tea stalls, fostering vibrant social interactions. Recognizing this cultural significance, UNESCO inscribed "Rickshaws and Rickshaw Painting in Dhaka" on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list on December 6, 2023.Inspired by this rich heritage, we reimagined old rickshaw as a mobile tea stall. Named "Mishuk" after the three-wheeler introduced in 1986, the design upcycles discarded rickshaw components-including hoods, frames, wheels, and bells-into a fully operational, transportable tea stall while preserving its distinctive aesthetic and traditional rickshaw art. The bells are repurposed as tea-cups, blending nostalgia with utility. Sustainability is key to the design, incorporating a waste management system that transforms organic waste and wastewater into biogas through anaerobic digestion. This method produces 0.1 to 0.3 m2 of biogas per kilogram of waste, generating 0.6 to 1.8 kWh of energy- sufficient for cooking and lighting. Every seating benches are crafted using 20 to 50 kilograms of recycled plastic waste. The rickshaw hood is enhanced with flexible solar textiles."Mishuk" merges tradition with innovation, offering a sustainable, culturally rooted solution for tea stalls in Bangladesh.