Project concept: “Human interaction with light and framing creates the ultimate essence of a photogenic space.”

Project brief:
In the context of Bangladesh, the revolution of the photography videography society has already started. Notable among them are several institutes which are still practicing and researching these branches of art.

1. National Institute of Design- Established in 1961
2. Bangladesh Photographic Society- Established in 1976
3. National Institute of Mass Communication- Established in 1980
4. Pathshala South Asian Media Institute- Established in 1988
5. Visual Communication Ltd.- Established in 1999
6. Counter Foto- Established in 2012

Counter Foto is the youngest among them. On November 23, 2012, Saiful Haque Omi and Andrew Biraj co-founded Counter Foto, which specializes in photography. The department's first academic leader, Din M. Shibly, lasted until July 2015. Of late, Counter Foto has created a platform where imagination, creativity and talent are nurtured. It recognizes, celebrates and supports young talent to make a local impact on humanity and serve as a source of inspiration to others.

Image: Photography timeline

Saiful Haque Omi claims that the majority of the institutions being build are doing so heavily, resulting in a situation that is undesirable for the admittance of well-wishers or students. This prevents the students or well-wishers from considering the institutions to be their own. According to him, imaginative thinking is necessary to build a space that welcomes individuals from various walks of life or encourages them to claim it as their own. He added that all forms of cinema, including film, are built on the same principles. To grow, they need the involuntary involvement of people from various social classes.

Image: Photographic quotes

Image: Site location

Idea Formation:
Answering the question, “What is photography?” is kind of like trying to answer the question, “What’s the meaning of life?” That’s because photography is incredibly complex. It has many facets and types. Photography is the art of capturing light with a camera, usually via a digital sensor or film, to create an image. That’s because photography is incredibly complex. It has many facets and types. There are technical aspects to photography as well as creative ones.

Photography can serve many purposes and have many facets. Photography can tell a story, it can capture a moment in time, it can document, and it can be art. There are many technical uses for photography as well as social and creative ones. How we use and interact with photography is highly personal and will differ from one person to the next.

Image: Conceptual drawing

Let's begin by concentrating on three photography-related topics. First and foremost, light is a crucial component of photography. With that in mind, I've always kept in mind that there needs to be a balanced distribution of light throughout the institution. Students can practice photography any way they'd like if there is enough light. They can also admire how the light changes every instant.

Furthermore, we are aware of how crucial framing is in creating a particular atmosphere in photographs. In context with this, it has been designed to unify the establishment's various viewpoints into a single frame of reference. It is also noted how this framing produces a number of participatory locations within the installation.

Subsequently, the unplanned involvement of individuals in photography is another significant factor. In light of this, areas have been built throughout the facility where students can interact with one another and discuss what they have learned.

Image: Scope of work 1

Image: Scope of work 2

Design Consideration:
Working in the Shewrapara neighborhood in Mirpur was a challenging task from the start. The area was 0.37 acres, and despite the poor quality of the nearby roads, the location was crucial because so many students traveled there to go to educational institutions, manufacturing facilities, and public transportation hubs. So, with all of that in mind, I wanted to ensure from the start that the local community could benefit from this institute. To be able to connect the pathway next to this institute to the main road, I planned to build a link. Additionally, we hope to provide the locals with a reason to frequently visit the exhibitions by establishing this link.

Image: Design consideration

Image: Detail program

Image: Far calculation

Image: Ground floor plan

Image: 2nd basement

Image: 1st basement

Image: Semi basement

Image: 1st floor plan

Image: 2nd floor plan

Image: 3rd floor plan

Image: Section AA

Image: Section BB

Jury Comments:
It is clear that the student is highly motivated to be sensitive, nuanced, and persistent throughout the entire project. The project has completely incorporated the affiliation of the city. The overall structure of the building is extremely strong and it is doing a better job of ensuring the space's self-reliance. The project's use of brick and concrete blends perfectly with the surroundings. Above all, the project makes an exciting trip through this process while taking into consideration the scales and balances of the current surrounding context.

Image: Iso section