Two Projects from Bangladesh – Machan: Korail Community Platform in Dhaka by Paraa and the Floating Schools for Community Resilience by Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha in Pabna district, —have been named among the 26 global recipients of the 2025 Ammodo Architecture Award for their contributions to socially and ecologically responsible design.
From the Ammodo, this year’s selection spans six regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, North & Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia & Oceania. The chosen projects address diverse urban and rural contexts, tackling issues such as housing, education, ecological restoration, and collective living.
Awardees were selected by an international advisory committee consisting of six renowned architects and cultural professionals from around the globe: Joumana El Zein Khoury, Andrés Jaque, Anupama Kundoo, Floris Alkemade, Mariam Issoufou and Loreta Castro Reguera.
Machan: Korail Community Platform, Dhaka
The name – Machan, meaning ‘platform’ in Bangla, is Dhaka’s first community-driven permanent cultural and creative hub located in the Korail low-income settlement. It emerged from the “Korail: City of Culture” initiative, a sustainable urban development project led by architecture studio Paraa. Built collaboratively with Korail residents, youth groups, and community leaders, Machan transforms a former dumping ground into a vibrant cultural centre.
The platform hosts a variety of social, cultural, and creative activities including: architectural design exhibitions, artwork displays, photography showcases, installation art, and performing arts.
The platform collaborates with other organizations facilitating workshops on participatory planning, community mapping, and arts like indigo dyeing.
The project establishes a much-needed, multifunctional open space that enables residents to gather, and participate in shared activities, effectively converting a former waste ground into a dynamic community hub.
The project supports local cultural practitioners and connects their knowledge to global discussions on sustainability and the rights of marginalized communities.
Floating Schools for Community Resilience by Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, Pabna
The “Floating Schools for Community Resilience” project by Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha primarily operates along the Gumani River in the Faridpur and Bhangura subdistricts of Pabna. The initiative brings schools to students in villages along the Gumani River, using a flexible fleet of boats for classrooms, health clinics, and training centers to ensure continuity of services during seasonal flooding.
The floating schools lead consistent access to education. The initiative eliminates the need for students to travel to schools that may be inaccessible due to flooding, ensuring continued learning.
The boats use solar energy to power onboard computers and other equipment, allowing for interactive learning. The boats can also be used as shelters during severe floods, ensuring continuous community support.
Due to this initiative, over 22,500 students have graduated from the program so far, and it provides access to education for children who would otherwise have dropped out due to floods or economic hardship.
The initiative ensures access to healthcare and training, even during crises, and has been replicated in other countries. The project has empowered women and girls through microloans and income-generating opportunities.
The Ammodo Architecture Awards is an annual international prize presented to “advance socially and ecologically responsible architecture worldwide.”
The Ammodo Architecture Awards was launched in 2024 by Stichting Ammodo, a Dutch foundation that supports art, science and architecture. The awards aim to “recognize and support architects and projects that address contemporary social and environmental challenges through innovative design and community engagement.
Each recipient of Ammodo Architecture Award 2025 receives a grant to further develop their work. The complete list of 2025 awardees can be viewed on the Ammodo Architecture Award website.
Written by Tasmiah Chowdhury
photo courtesy: City Syntax, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha
