Day: October 30, 2025
CUET to Host 3rd International Conference on Green Architecture
The Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) will host the third International Conference on Green Architecture (ICGrA 2025) from December 4-5 this year, bringing together more than 100 scholars and thousands of professionals to explore sustainable design and community-scale environmental responsibility. The conference will be jointly organised by the Green Architecture Cell (GrACe) and the Department of Architecture (DoA) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET). Themed “Healthy Buildings on the Path to nearly Zero Emission Communities (neZECom),” the event will examine the relationship between building-level well-being and broader sustainability goals. The Bengali interpretation of neZECom, “Reduce self-need,” reflects the conference’s ethos: a low-emission future begins with mindful consumption and responsible environmental behaviour. Building on the success of its earlier editions in 2017 and 2018, ICGrA 2025 continues a legacy of fostering awareness and collaboration on sustainability in the built environment. The conference venue, CUET’s Department of Architecture, lies between the Bay of Bengal and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, offering a scenic setting for dialogue and discovery. The conference is supported by a wide network of collaborators, including the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), the ZEMCH Network at the University of Melbourne, and architecture departments from DUET, KUET, RUET, KU, SUST, MIST, and Dhaka University, alongside institutional partners such as the Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation (BHBFC) and alumni associations from BUET and CUET. Prof. Dr. Md Ashikur Rahman Joarder of BUET is chairing the ICGrA 2025 and Prof. Dr. Sajal Chowdhury of CUET is the conference secretary. The 2025 edition will feature keynote addresses, paper and poster presentations, exhibitions, cultural events, and the publication of proceedings. Selected papers will be considered for publication in indexed journals. Five parallel workshops will be organised on separate topics as part of the third ICGrA 2025. Each workshop will be led by distinguished faculty members from BUET and CUET, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with experts in the field. Workshop Topics and Leaders • Thermal Comfort Led by: Prof. Dr. Khandakar Sabbir Ahmed, BUET Focus: This workshop will delve into strategies for achieving optimal thermal conditions in buildings, addressing passive cooling, material selection, and climate-responsive design to enhance occupant comfort and energy efficiency. • Acoustics Led by: Prof. Dr. S. M. Najmul Imam, BUET Focus: Participants will explore acoustic performance in architectural spaces, including noise control, sound insulation, and design techniques for creating healthy auditory environments in residential and public buildings. • Daylighting Led by: Prof. Dr. Md. Ashikur Rahman Joarder, BUET Focus: This session will examine the role of natural light in building design, covering daylight simulation, visual comfort, energy savings, and integration of daylighting strategies into architectural planning. • Environmental Experience Design (EXD) Led by: Prof. Dr. Sajal Chowdhury, CUET Focus: The workshop will introduce participants to user-centred environmental design, focusing on sensory experience, spatial perception, and psychological well-being in built environments. • Computational Building Information Modeling (BIM) Led by: Md Mizanur Rahman of BUET Registration Details Date: December 5, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Venue: CUET, Chattogram, Bangladesh Early Bird Registration (per topic): Tk 5,000 (by October 31, 2025) Regular Registration (per topic): Tk 7,000 (by November 15, 2025) Seats are limited, and participants must complete a separate registration for each workshop they wish to attend. Individual registration is allowed for any of the four topics. Awards will be presented for Best Paper, Best Presentation, and Best Poster. Topics for submission span health and well-being, green buildings, zero energy and emissions, community and lifestyle, user-centred design, climate resilience, decarbonisation, circularity, life cycle assessment, energy efficiency, vernacular architecture, retrofitting, conservation, innovation, policy, materials, methods, water and waste management, safety, and pedagogy. Organisers say ICGrA 2025 aims to drive practical action, inform policy, and strengthen academic and professional collaboration across disciplines. Written by Nibir Ayaan
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Architect Irteza Ameen to Deliver Fall 2025 Lecture
The Department of Architecture at Bangladesh University is set to host the third lecture of its Fall 2025 series, spotlighting the power of visual storytelling in design. Titled “From Concept to Composition: Building Visual Narratives,” the session will feature Architect Irteza Ameen, founder of the multidisciplinary studio Design Commune. This lecture marks the 14th instalment of Chorcha, the department’s signature platform for architectural discourse. Ameen will guide audiences through the evolution of design thinking—from the spark of abstract ideas to their transformation into spatial compositions where form, material, and graphic language converge to express identity and intent. Drawing from a rich and varied portfolio, Ameen will demonstrate how visual storytelling functions not only as a design tool but as a communicative language—shaping how we interpret, inhabit, and emotionally connect with space. Ameen, a Bangladeshi architect and designer, is known for his seamless integration of architecture, graphic design, and user experience. His studio, Design Commune, operates at the intersection of built form and cultural narrative, crafting works that are both contextually grounded and visually articulate. His notable collaborations include archival and publication projects on three of Bangladesh’s architectural luminaries—Architect Muzharul Islam, Architect Bashirul Haq, and Professor Shamsul Wares—as well as a wide array of architectural, interior, and exhibition design ventures. Through his practice, Ameen exemplifies a rare synthesis of architectural rigour and graphic precision, producing designs that resonate with character, clarity, and cultural depth. Event Schedule: Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 3:30 pm Venue: Room 101, Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University. Written by Nibir Ayaan
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FORM.3 Architects Wins Holcim Foundation Awards 2025
FORM.3 Architects and their team have been honoured with a regional award in the Asia Pacific category at the Holcim Foundation Awards 2025. The firm received the prestigious recognition for their project, “Conservation of Old Dhaka Central Jail History, Historical Buildings & Development of Surroundings Area.” The project reimagines a historic jail site in Old Dhaka as a vibrant public realm, merging adaptive reuse, passive design, and local craftsmanship to create a culturally rooted and economically viable model for sustainable urban renewal. The Old Dhaka jail was built on 36.76 acres of land in the eighteenth century. According to the website of the prison authority, a “criminal ward” was established in Dhaka in 1788. Later, the prison was constructed on Nazimuddin Road, becoming one of the largest jails in the country. The main goal of the project, for which FORM.3 Architects and their team received recognition, was to create a cultural centre that provides much-needed open space for community gatherings within the dense urban fabric of Old Dhaka. Design plans include preserving existing historic buildings and structures while integrating them with new developments. The project also aims to address key urban challenges such as traffic congestion and limited accessibility. Proposed interventions include widening peripheral roads, developing underground pedestrian passages, and introducing specific vehicular zones to streamline movement around the Chawkbazar area. The Holcim Foundation Awards are the world’s most significant competition celebrating sustainable design and construction—spotlighting projects that are reshaping the built environment and driving transformation across the construction sector. Founded in 2003, the Holcim Foundation has led the global movement for sustainable design and construction, guiding the building industry with visionary initiatives. “This year’s 20 winners use the right materials in the right places, bring communities into the process from day one, and design with nature as an ally. The projects are inspiring because the solutions they offer are replicable and implementable—they set a credible path forward for the industry,” says Laura Viscovich, Executive Director of the Holcim Foundation. The Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction has announced 20 winning projects for the 2025 Holcim Foundation Awards, spanning Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and North America, with a total prize pool of USD 1 million. An event will be held in Venice on November 20, 2025, to showcase all the winners, accompanied by a global live stream for audiences worldwide. Photo Courtesy: FORM.3 Architects Written by CBM desk
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