Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine, ArchiConnect honour two-time Aga Khan Award winner Architect Marina Tabassum
Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine, a publication of the Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), and ArchiConnect, a buildtech platform, honoured Architect Marina Tabassum on Saturday evening, November 8, 2025, Bangladesh’s only two-time winner of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture—one of the most prestigious awards in the world for architects. At the programme, held at the Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel, the globally acclaimed architect delivered a keynote speech titled “Between Erosion and Emergence”, highlighting different aspects of the projects that brought her international recognition. Before her keynote, Architect Jalal Ahmed, founder and CEO of ArchiConnect, explained why Marina Tabassum’s achievement should be celebrated and how significant it is. He said the Aga Khan Award for Architecture is considered the “Oscar for Architects,” and winning it twice is a phenomenal success for any architect in the world. Later, Marina presented details of her various projects worldwide. Bait Ur Rouf Mosque, completed in 2012 on the outskirts of Dhaka, was the project that earned her the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016. “Built with locally sourced brick and devoid of traditional Islamic iconography, it offers a contemplative space where worshippers are bathed in natural light,” she said at the event. “The structure is not just a place of prayer—it’s a refuge for a dense, underserved neighbourhood.” She also shed light on one of her most celebrated recent projects, Khudi Bari, a modular, lightweight shelter designed for ultra-low-income populations. The structure, made of bamboo and corrugated metal, can be assembled quickly and relocated as needed. Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in a public congratulatory message, echoed this sentiment: “We fondly recall your first Aga Khan Award in 2016 for the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka, a milestone that celebrated the timeless values of spirituality, community, and simplicity in architecture.” “That recognition marked the rise of a Bangladeshi voice of global significance, and your latest achievement further strengthens that legacy.” In 2025, Khudi Bari earned Tabassum her second Aga Khan Award for Architecture, making her the only Bangladeshi architect to win the honour twice. That same year, she was commissioned to design the Serpentine Pavilion in London—an international recognition of her ability to merge local wisdom with global relevance. Later, at the day, an engaging panel discussion was organised on “Marina Tabassum and the Aga Khan Award Legacy”. The session was moderated by Architect Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad, principal designer and director of DWM4 Architects. Distinguished panelists included Architect Professor Fuad Hassan Mallick, dean of the School of Architecture and Design (SoAD) at BRAC University; Architect Professor Zainab Faruqui Ali, chairperson of the Department of Architecture at BRAC University; and Architect Nahas Ahmed Khalil, principal designer at ARC Architectural Consultants. The event concluded with closing remarks by Moynul Islam, president of BCMEA. “We always look forward to creative minds like architects and the brilliance of Architect Marina Tabassum deserves to be celebrated.” Following the panel discussion, mementos were presented to the distinguished panelists and to Architect Moushumi Ahmed, the gracious host of the evening. The honorees—Architect Marina Tabassum, Architect Jalal Ahmed, and Moynul Islam, President of BCMEA—received exquisite woodprint artworks created by renowned artist Professor Anisuzzaman Anis of the Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka Written by CBM Desk
The Book Launch of ‘Next50: Collective Futures
A significant milestone in shaping Bangladesh’s future was marked today with the official launch of Next50: Collective Futures at BRAC University’s Multipurpose Hall. This landmark publication—the largest edited volume on Bangladesh’s built environment—brings together 81 authors, including many from the Bangladeshi diaspora, to explore the nation’s next five decades of progress, innovation, and connectivity. Spanning 49 chapters across nine major themes, the book examines urban and rural transformation, infrastructure, climate resilience, housing, governance, and technological innovation. Written in accessible language for policymakers, practitioners, and the general public, it bridges cutting-edge research with real-world impact, making complex ideas actionable for those shaping the nation’s future. The event was attended by some of Bangladesh’s most prominent architects, planners, and urbanists from both academia and professional practice. Distinguished guests included Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, and Mohammad Azaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, who underscored the urgency of visionary thinking in driving sustainable and inclusive development. The program featured a compelling book introduction by Professor Fuad H. Mallick, Editor-in-Chief of Next50 and Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at BRAC University, followed by an insightful review from Dr. Mohammed Zakiul Islam, Professor at BUET, who highlighted the book’s interdisciplinary approach and its relevance to Bangladesh’s rapidly evolving urban landscape. Adding to the discussions, key stakeholders, including representatives from Shah Cement, reflected on the private sector’s role in shaping the built environment. The event concluded with remarks from the book’s executive editors, Dr. Tanzil Shafique and Dr. Saimum Kabir, who emphasized the collaborative effort behind the publication and its potential to influence future policies and practices. Shah Cement also expressed interest in future collaborations. Beyond the discussions, the launch served as a key networking platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders, fostering dialogue and collaboration on the country’s long-term development. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations over Iftar and dinner, reinforcing the event’s role in strengthening professional and intellectual ties. Organized by Open Studio and Context BD, with support from Shah Cement, the event also reached a wider audience through a live stream, ensuring broader engagement with the book’s mission.
