The Department of Architecture, AIUB celebrated a week of creativity, innovation, and architectural excellence with the successful completion of “AIUB Architecture Week 2024”. The event, which started on June 28, saw enthusiastic participation from students, faculties and industry professionals, marking a significant milestone in the Department’s commitment to fostering a holistic learning environment.
The event started with a design charrette “QUEST”, which was open for students from all IAB-accredited architecture schools across Bangladesh. The Charrette received an extensive response of registration from more than 300 participants of 15 Architecture Schools. The topic of the charrette was “A Utilitarian Void”. The task was to explore an existing void space, or to create one - between or inside built forms and transform it into something useful, by adding some purposes to it. This national level design charrette not only showcased exceptional talent but also fostered collaboration and creative exchange among budding architects. The enthusiasm generated on social media platforms amplified its impact, spreading inspiration and ideas far beyond the event itself. The unprecedented success of this event was only possible due to the relentless efforts of the student volunteers and organizers ( Ar. Ajmeri Nusrat Shoma, Ar. Nazifa Zabeen Siddiqua, Ar. Tarek Morad, Ar. Rashed Hasan and Ar. Mehedi Amin), spontaneous participation of all the contestants, and constant support from Head of the Department, M Arefeen Ibrahim and AIUB administration.
Along with the charrette, the “Student Works Exhibition” also started on the same day at AIUB permanent campus, offering a glimpse into current studio projects and the most creative top 18 presentations of “Quest”. The Exhibition was inaugurated by Ms. Nadia Anwar (Founder Member and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, AIUB) in presence of Ar. Jalal Ahmed (Former President, Institute of Architects, Bangladesh), Mr. M Arefeen Ibrahim (Head, Department of Architecture) other faculty members, officials and students of AIUB. The organizer team for this Exhibition consisted of Ar. Farzana Siddiqua, Ar. Tabassum Zarin and Ar. Saiful Hasan Tariq.
“AIUB Architecture Week 2024” also hosted insightful lectures by accomplished professionals and academicians. On day 03, June 30, 2024, a lecture was organized under the banner of 'Dr Anwarul Abedin Lecture Series' where eminent architect Bayejid Mahbub Khondoker delivered a lecture on “Six Typologies: selected works of Nakshabid Architects”. The lecture event was adorned by numerous esteemed guests, notably Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna (Member, Board of Trustees, AIUB), Dr. A B M Siddique Hossain (Dean, Faculty of Engineering), Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman (Pro-VC of AIUB) and Dr. Mohammed Zakiul Islam (Professor & Head, Department of Architecture, BUET) Mr. M Arefeen Ibrahim, Head, Dept. of Architecture, and the faculty members of Architecture Dept. were also present at the event. The event was hosted by Ar. Tabassum Zarin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Architecture, AIUB. Later that day, Jury of the charrette “Quest” took place at the Dept. of Architecture. The jury panel consisted of eminent architects: Ar. Bayejid M. Khondoker, Ar. Cyrus Shah, Ar. Saad Ben Mostafa and Ar. Ashik Vaskor Mannan.
The week-long events ended on July, 01, 2024 with a public lecture by renowned architect, academician and architectural conservation specialist Prof. Dr. Abu Sayeed M Ahmed, the “Award giving ceremony” of Quest and a cultural program. The Closing ceremony was graced by many esteemed guests: founder member and chairman of AIUB - Mr. Ishtiaque Abedin, Vice Chancellor of AIUB -Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, Head of CSPEZ from platinum sponsor ‘Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited’- Mr. Shabbir Ahmed and President of the Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB) Prof. Dr. Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, as the chief guest. The first prize of 80,000 BDT was awarded to Anik Kumar Chanda, Mohika Proma Sikder and Md. Shaidujjaman Shuvo from BUET. The second prize of 60,000 BDT and third prize of 40,000 BDT were awarded to Farhan Shahriar, Julkar Nain and Nafisa Anjum (BRAC University) and Rubaiya Ruhi Saba, Abdullah Al Mamun Pranto and Biproy Kanti Das (BRAC University) respectively. Two groups from the Department of Architecture, AIUB received commendations: Rayed Hassan, Mahmudul Hasan Mahin and Faria Tabassum Sujan were the members of one of the teams and Sagedul Islam Sagar, Imtiyaz Ahmed Akib and Anupam Ahmed formed the other team. The closing ceremony was hosted by Ar. Nazifa Zabeen Siddiqua, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Architecture, AIUB.
The posters, banners, festoons, invitation cards, video clips etc. of the event were designed by Ar. Ashik Ikbal, Ar. Arefeen Ibrahim, Ar. Ashik Vaskor Mannan, Ar. Hasan Ahmed Chowdury, Ar. Tarek Morad, Ar. Rashed Hasan, Ar. Mehedi Amin and Ar. Obaidul Haque. Overall logistics management of the event was supervised by Ar. Sariful Islam, Ar. Irfat Alam, Ar. Obaidul Haque and Ar. Fatema Nur Sumaita. The events were sponsored by Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, Shah Cement and Tilottoma.
Successful public events like these are essential to ensure wider exposure and better job opportunities for graduating students. This also helps to establish a profound connection between academia and practice. Department of Architecture, AIUB is thankful to all the student volunteers, organizers, Quest participants, sponsors, and the university administration for their constant support and spontaneous participation in “AIUB Architecture Week 2024”.
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