The "RIBA International Awards for Excellence" are one of the most prestigious honors in the field of architecture, with a limited number of projects chosen from thousands of submissions from across the world. The panel, chaired by architect Simon Henley, carefully selected 22 architectural masterpieces from 14 nations. Bangladesh has carried out two of these projects. One of these is the greenfield factory built by architect Bayezid Mahbub Khandkar and his architectural firm, 'Nakshabid Architects': Karupanya Rangpur Limited, in Rangpur. Another architectural achievement, 'Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan Mazar', created by 'Architects' and supervised by Architect Sharif Uddin Ahmed, is located in Manikganj.

Greenfield Factory: Karupanya Rangpur Limited

The Greenfield Factory of Karupanya Rangpur Limited, located in Bangladesh's Rangpur division, is more than just a carpet factory; the architect and his team deliberately planned the architecture to give a unique natural environment for the personnel who work there. The structure, adorned with flora and natural air, has served as both a workplace and a haven of serenity and relaxation. The 14,170 square meter project area has a built-up area of 24,850 square meters, including internal water reservoirs that cool the air, filter it via a green curtain, and distribute it throughout the structure.

This endeavor to reimagine architecture by using the natural environment has already captured the hearts of many. The factory has a planted environment that creates a microclimate to maintain temperatures bearable in different portions of the building. Aside from the plant, there is a medical center, a grocery shop, a day care facility, a prayer hall, and a cafeteria. This amazing facility has produced a comfortable environment, and its design has provided users with an extraordinary opportunity to do every activity with ease. The architecture blends sculptures, natural ventilation, 7-storied atriums, dramatic entrances, rectangular shapes, and concrete components to create a unique building. This outstanding building has received several prizes, including the LEED Green Building Award.

Mausoleum of Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan

The Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan Mausoleum, located in Manikganj, near the capital Dhaka, is a building erected on a private site. Successors of Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan took the initiative to construct this building as a memorial to their father. Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan is sleeping eternally in this establishment's inner courtyard, which is illuminated by natural light. Light penetrates the structure via many cylinder roofs located close above the tomb, providing a mystical environment. They're enclosed by a brick lattice wall. The project comprises a mosque, a library, and a family house, with a focus on public accessibility while maintaining relatives' memories.

The red brick building is positioned near the site's entrance. The structure features a distinct structural characteristic that includes plinths, curving walls, and rectangular entrances. The circular turreted motif is inspired by the multi-domed mosques of the Sultanate period, while the structure's exterior walls are semicircular walls inspired by the corner turrets of the Sultanate period, leading to brick cylinders that serve as skylights. This one-of-a-kind edifice has established a distinct architectural language in Bangladesh and throughout the world.

Contributor : Architect Muhammad Shafayet Hossain