British Council initiates research on sustainable architecture in Bangladesh

The British Council has commissioned the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements to lead a new research initiative on sustainable architecture in Bangladesh.

In March this year, the Bengal Institute's research proposal was selected through a competitive open call for applications. The appointed team is preparing to conduct field research to compile an overview of existing but under-documented sustainable and climate-adaptive architectural practices and approaches across the country.

As part of the initiative, the team will interview designers, custodians and users of projects in districts throughout Bangladesh to understand the broader context of these practices.

David Knox, Director Programmes, British Council Bangladesh, underlined the importance of the project. He said: "Sustainable architecture is becoming ever more critical for the environment and for the economy as it merges, creativity, innovation and functional design. It can support climate resilience and create new economic opportunities, for businesses and for employment."

Prof. Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, Director General of the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, added: "Sustainable architectural practices were once integral to daily life in Bangladesh. With contemporary changes in material life and both global and local environmental challenges, it has become urgent to review and regenerate these practices. It is equally important to identify innovations emerging across both community-driven and professional practices."

The research team is led by Prof. Kazi Khaleed Ashraf and includes Ar. Nusrat Sumaiya, Director, Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements; Prof. Ripin Kalra, Senior Research Fellow, University of Westminster, UK; Dr. Atiqur Rahman, Executive Director, Center for Advanced Studies, Dhaka; and Ar. Khondaker Hasibul Kabir, Architect and Landscape Architect, Jhenaidah and Dhaka.