14th ISSUE

Where Nature Teaches: The Story of Aga Khan Academy

In Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area, the Aga Khan Academy immediately catches your eye. Its warm brick walls, softened by greenery and a sparkling water channel, glow in the morning light. The building feels like a historical monument—orderly courtyards, intricate brickwork—yet the lively chatter of students reminds you this is a school—a place where learning blends seamlessly with nature’s rhythms. Bangladesh’s heritage that make it truly remarkable. Here, architecture becomes a canvas, interiors breathe with narrative, and every art installation stands as a tribute to the nation’s soul.     Spanning in 17 acres, the award-winning Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka was developed through a collaboration between SHATOTTO Architecture for Green Living and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The design draws inspiration from the region’s ancient Buddhist Mahaviharas, incorporating their architecture and philosophy into the campus. A clay model was used to visualise the design, helping stakeholders understand the campus’s spatial organisation before construction. Covering 74,150 square metres, this is Shatotto’s largest school project to date. The campus provides a green sanctuary within Dhaka’s urban environment. This academy represents a significant investment by the Aga Khan Development Network in Bangladesh’s future. As the fourth institution in a planned network of 18 Aga Khan Academies across Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East, the Dhaka campus connects students to a wider academic and cultural community. Other campuses are located in Mombasa, Hyderabad, and Maputo, forming a global network focused on pluralism, leadership, and excellence.     To support education from nursery to diploma level, Aga Khan Education Services required a permanent campus. This presented a challenge in a dense city like Dhaka. The project is designed to be scalable and sustainable, planned in seven construction phases. Since its first phase launched in September 2022, the academy has offered an integrated environment that connects nature with education, providing a calm setting within Bashundhara’s urban area. The Dhaka campus currently enrolls 750 students, with plans for expansion to 1,200. The masterplan includes residential facilities designed to accommodate students and staff from across Bangladesh and other countries. This lays the foundation for a diverse and inclusive learning environment upon full implementation.     The vision for this project was led by Architect Rafiq Azam of Shatotto Architecture for Green Living, who incorporated Bangladesh’s heritage into the design. He conceptualized it as an “archaeological site, like our ancient monasteries.” Co-lead Architect Peter Clegg of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios contributed global standards and technical precision. A central amphitheatre serves as a space for performances and gatherings. The adjacent Maidan, a large open playground, accommodates student activities, serving recreational and social functions. Brick buildings surround these shared areas on a planted base, offering unobstructed views of the Maidan from all directions. The Maidan functions as the campus’s central point, reflecting the spirit of ancient Buddhist Mahaviharas. These elements collectively support an environment where the physical space contributes to the educational process. “The school itself teaches,” says Rafiq Azam, lead architect of the Aga Khan Academy. “Students learn from books inside the classroom, but when they step outside, they begin to notice surroundings on their own — how water flows, how flowers bloom, how the sun moves across the sky, and how the breeze blows from a certain direction.” He adds, “This kind of learning happens naturally, guided by the environment rather than just by the teacher. The process encourages students to learn independently, beyond what is taught in the classroom.” Rafiq Azam emphasised the local context influencing the design, noting the significance of greenery, water, and rain in Bangladesh’s fertile landscape. This sensitivity is integrated into the campus layout, where natural elements are part of daily student life.     The academy’s design heavily features brick, chosen for both its practical and aesthetic qualities, consistent with Bangladesh’s architectural history. Each brick is carefully positioned. According to Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, brick was selected to revive local craftsmanship and to contrast with the render and concrete common in surrounding new buildings. The construction method involves deeply embedded mortar between brick pairs, a technique seen in historical sites, ensuring longevity and a timeless appearance. This strategic use of locally sourced brick, combined with Bangladeshi brick patterning, creates a cohesive campus. It establishes a hierarchy of spaces through its brickwork. Facade perforations allow daylight into interior corridors, using traditional techniques. Recessed windows, screens, and protruding brick columns provide shading for classrooms and create covered balconies and walkways. Classrooms are oriented to minimise solar gain in summer, with external walkways and adjacent buildings providing passive solar shading from the morning sun throughout the year. This ensures adequate daylight and outdoor views. Architects designed these spaces for passive heating and shading year-round to minimise energy consumption. This climate responsiveness was achieved through extensive sun pattern analysis and wind flow direction studies, optimising light and ventilation. The academy’s character reflects many original Buddhist universities in Bangladesh. It is defined by the massing and materiality of brick buildings located on a sculpted and planted landscape base surrounding the central Maidan.     Alongside the main field, the complex includes smaller connected areas featuring concrete canopies for shelter, along with brick benches and planters. These peripheral spaces serve as transitions between the central Maidan and more intimate interior areas. Spaces are tailored for different age groups; for example, the senior courtyard offers shaded zones under planted trees for focused group activities. The assembly court is simple, with four ‘Dhaak trees,’ which inspired Dhaka’s name. The primary central courtyard accommodates larger gatherings and includes an amphitheatre built around a sand pit. This pit is designed to collect rainwater during heavy rainfall, holding up to 170 mm of water for approximately 10 to 30 minutes. The campus masterplan organises spaces into four zones—Intellectual, Moral, Physical, and Spiritual—supporting a holistic educational philosophy. Each block is designed for a specific function. The Academic Block, a central hub, contains administrative workstations, learning centers, group study areas, and a lecture hall, along with a terrace. Its white-walled classrooms vary in

History

The growth of the ceramic industry can also be attributed to historic back ground of the country, especially the people’s choice for attractive tablwares and show pieces. Records say, potters were actually popularised during the zamindars (landlords). They used to be patronised for making staues of goddesses, plates and other aesthetical items. Sometimes they were made to sculpt statues of the zamindar themselves. After the end of the zamindar system, they started making everyday household items for sales in the local market to earn a living. As pottery was the tradition, a section of people called kumar (potters) had for generaions embraced the occupation of making pottery items of household use. Their hand-made products could catch interest of the rural buyers. However, these proucts could neither meet demand of urban customers nor could they sustain because of their fragility, sun or oven baked products could not make a big headway outside the country. Recent history shows it was the initiative of an entrepreneur in the late 1950s that began production of earthen-ware using machine and thus machine-made clay craft appeared in the market. In fact, modern ceramic industry (machine-made) took a formal start with the functioning of Tajma Ceramic industry in Bogra in 1958. It was a small plant for porcelain tableware, and so production capacity of the factory was limited. Then came other entrepreneurs. The next to come was Mirpur Ceramic Works in 1962. Then Pakistan Ceramic Industry (later People Ceramic Industry) joined the market in 1966. After a gap of nearly two decades Monno Ceramics started production (tableware) in 1985. In the following year Bengal Fine Ceramics came to the scene. In 1997 Shinepukur Ceramics started production. As more entrepreneurs stepped in, they startd producing diversified items such as tiles, sanitary ware adopting new technology and using latest machinery and fine clay brought from abroad. Bangladesh Insulator and Sanitaryware Factory (BISF), Modhumoti Ceramics, Fu Wang Ceramic Industries and RAK Ceramics have placed themselves at the front in production of the items, not traditional, like tea-set or dinner sets. According to available statistics, about 95 per cent of raw materials for producing items are imported from different sources to maintain standards. The raw materials are imported mostly from China, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Spain, Bulgeria, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea and India. LOCAL CERAMIC INDUSTRY This is an industry that has experienced 200 per cent growth in production in the past ten years. Currently, there are 66 ceramic plants in three categories (Tableware 20, Tiles 28 and Sanitary ware 18) of products, operational in the country. Their products range. from table wares to tiles, sanitary wares to insulators and heavy and from clay to reflectors. The number of firms increased from 29 in 2010 to 66 in 2019. Investment in the sector amounts to more than US$1.1 billion, according to the Bangladesh Ceramics Manufacturers and Export- ers Association’s (BCMEA’s) estimate. More than half a million people, 40 percent of who are women, are directly and indirectly involved in the ceramic industry. Given the growth and demand of the sector, there has been a national focus on building skilled human resources for the ceramic industry. Now, Bangladesh Institute of Glass and Ceramics, Depart- ment of Glass and Ceramic Engineering at BUET and Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, and Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, offer various courses relating to ceramic products. The base of the industry is strong as the sector caters to 85 percent of the local demand and around 90 per cent of its 2018 turnover of Tk. 60 billion involved domestic market. The sector has seen a phenomenal local market growth from Tk 1225 billion in FY2010 to Tk 53.38 billion in FY2017. The industry’s production growth was record- ed at around 30 per cent in the past ten years. The country’s ceramics industry has also attracted foreign investments that have mainly come from China and the Middle-East countries. One foriegn and six joint venture companies include RAK Ceramics, Fu-Wang and China-Bangla Ceramics. Exports of ceramic products Although the country’s export volume is still not high in comparison to potential, about 20 companies are currently exporting ceramic products with 65 per cent value addition, according to available information. An amount of Tk. 4801 million came from the export market in 2018. It has maintained average 18 per cent growth in last 10 years. The sector attained a 32 per cent export growth in the year after the previous year’s growth of 16.6 per cent. The export market of ceramic products covers 63 countries. Main export destinations are EU countries, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and the Middle East. Industry insiders say the demand for Bangladeshi ceramic products in the international market is strong and there is reasonable scope for increasing exports of ceramic items. China and India are among major competitors in the international market for Bangladeshi ceramic manufacturers. However, labour cost has put Bangladesh in a strong position. Bangladeshi exporters can enhance exports if they are provided with supports to become more competitive in the international market. Given the global market of ceramic products worth US$400 billion, Bangladesh’s ceramic industry, if proper plans are taken and executed, has the potential to emerge as the ‘next RMG industry. Bangladesh’s expport share of the global ceramics market is less than 0.10% CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD Industry leaders say the country’s ceramic industry is facing some challenges, that are constraining its growth at home and in the export market. Of course, there is a scope for improve the production process making it more energy efficient. For that more funds need to be injected into the sector. Use of Nano-technology could be a good choice for entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. However, uninterrupted supply of natural gas, which is the main energy source for the industry, is a prerequisite for increasing production, according to sector leaders. Bangladesh’s domestic market for ceramic products is expanding due mainly to quality of products and price competitiveness. So supports should be

Elevated Expressway A new milestone in communications in Dhaka

The First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) is called a ‘new milestone’ in communications and the project is being implemented under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to alleviate traffic congestion in and around the capital. It has already been visible after inauguration of a portion of total of 46.73-kilometre-length with ramps, including a main elevated section spanning 19.73 km in the city. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 11.5 km part of it between Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Farmgate section, on September 2 with the key objective to shorten the lead time for exports and imports activities. Now people can travel the Airport-Farmgate site in 10 minutes thanks to the FDEE inauguration in the densely populated city. It often takes two hours to travel the 11.5 km due to severe traffic congestion. According to the First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Ltd, the total of 46.73-km-long elevated expressway is covering Airport, Kawla, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Magbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. The entire expressway is expected to be opened for vehicles from Tejgaon to KutubKhali in June 2024. The FDEE project involves construction of a four-lane main carriageway and one elevated link road, comprising: four-lane dual main carriageway of a total length of 19.73 kilometers. It has a four-lane dual link-road carriageway of a total length of 3.1 kilometers. 32 on-off ramps including 16 on-ramps and 16 off-ramps (one-lane carriageway of 5.5 meter width) of a total length of 23.9 kilometers with 8 toll plazas and 43 toll collection booths. Besides the main four-lane dual carriageway and two suspended termini at its ends, it has five interchanges, two elevated links. The approximate total length of the main carriageway Expressway is about 46.73 km including 19.73 km main flyover and 31 km ramps and elevated links. Dhaka-Ashulia, Dhaka-Narayanganj and Dhaka-Chittagong expressways will also be connected with this elevated expressway in future. The project is one of the largest infrastructure projects taken up by the incumbent government spending a total of Tk 13,858 crore to ease traffic congestion. Of them, the cost of Airport-Farmgate section was Tk 8,940 crore. However, the FDEE project is being implemented under the PPP process between the government of Bangladesh, represented by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), and the Italian-Thai Development Company Limited (ITD Group), represented by the First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) Co. Ltd. According to the authority, around 80,000 vehicles can run on the FDEE a day. Chinese firm China Shandong International Economic and Technical Corporation, one of the three private partners of the PPP project, will operate the control centre. The FDEE is offlimits to three-wheelers and motorcycles. Other vehicles run on the structure at a maximum speed of 60km per hour in expressway and 40km per hour in ramps at the beginning. BRTC bus services commenced on the Expressway. The non-stop service, which began initially, runs with eight double-decker buses from Farmgate to the Airport. Road Transport and Highways authority said cars, SUVs, microbuses with fewer than 16 seats, and trucks with a capacity of less than three tonnes will pay Tk 80 for using the expressway. Trucks with six wheels will pay Tk 320, those with more than six wheels Tk 400, and buses with 16 or more seats Tk 160.  Payment is being processed through e-ticketing. Local construction industries are thriving At least 10 local companies are making and supplying materials, such as cement, steel, stone and paint, for constructing the country’s first elevated expressway. Local products in place of imported alternatives are also being used in this mega project. This is not only saving foreign currency but also building the capacity of the local companies. A major portion of the Tk 8,940 crore project is being constructed using local materials. Of the 10 local contributors, six are cement companies while two are steel makers and the others make paint and PVC products. The cement makers are: Shah Cement, Crown Cement, Bashundhara Industrial Complex, Heidelberg Cement, Seven Rings Cement and Premier Cement. The BSRM and GPH Ispat are providing steel for the project while two concerns of RFL Group — RFL Pipe and Fittings, and Rainbow Paints — are supplying necessary pipes and road marking materials. RN Paul, managing director of RFL Group, said they are providing waste and rainwater pipes and fittings for the drainage system of the elevated expressway as well as road marking materials. Mr Paul explained that if local companies do not provide the required construction materials, then they would have to be imported at the cost of huge sums of foreign currency. “So, local companies benefited and also the process helped save foreign currency through such cooperation,” he said. Till September 2023, a total of 66,000 tonnes of steel has been used in the elevated expressway project, with BSRM contributing a majority 52,000 tonnes (80%). Tapan Sengupta, deputy managing director of BSRM, acknowledged that involvement in this type of large project helps local construction material companies grow their capacity and achieve global standards. Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud, founder chairman of the Bangladesh Steel Manufacturers Association, said the local steelmaking capacity has nearly doubled to about 9 million tonnes over the past decade. Local cement manufacturers have increased their production capacity to 6 million tonnes per annum while it was 2 million tonnes annually just 10 years ago. Back to history In January 2011, the certificate authority (CA) was signed between Bangladesh government, represented by Bridges Division, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, acted through Bangladesh Bridge Authority (together the “grantor”), and First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) company limited (the “concessionaire”). The ITD, the largest construction company in Thailand, established first Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited (“FDEE”) as a 100%-owned special purpose vehicle, registered in Bangladesh, to accede ITD as the concessionaire in the concession agreement for implementation of the project. The BBA signed deal with Italian-Thai Development Public Company to build the FDEE at a cost of Tk 8,703 crore in January 2011. The agreement was revised and inked again in