Students from the Architecture Department of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology have emerged as champions in the Design Charrette competition. A five-member team, nominated from the university’s architecture department, secured the prestigious title.

The winning team comprised Farhan Muhibur Rahman, Farhan Ishraq Nibir, Ariful Islam Khan, Alif Islam Tushan, and Sahaf Kabir. The event, organized by the Department of Architecture at the University of Asia Pacific, spanned four days and saw participation from 23 teams representing different institutions across the country.

Professor Dr. Ashraful Haque, Vice-Chancellor of Ahsanullah University, congratulated the architecture department for this remarkable achievement. He also encouraged students to participate in more competitive initiatives to enhance their skills and creativity.

A Design Charrette is a unique competition where participants are given a problem statement on the spot and must devise an innovative solution without any prior preparation. This year’s competition was framed around the contemporary socio-economic and political landscape of Dhaka city. Each participating university nominated up to three teams, each consisting of five members, from their architecture departments.

The theme of the competition, “The Listening Space,” required participants to conceptualize a community space within Dhaka city where people could unwind beyond their residential and workplace settings. The design was expected to offer an environment where individuals could escape the city’s hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature, and experience tranquility. The participating teams presented diverse and creative ideas throughout the day-long event.

The jury panel for the competition included prominent architects Syedul Hasan Rana, Mahmudul Islam Farhad, and Robiul Islam. The competition concluded on February 9 with the announcement of results and an award ceremony. The President of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh, Dr. Abu Sayeed Mostaq Ahmed, presented the awards to the winning teams.

The judges highlighted the exemplary approach taken by the winning team, which creatively utilized the setback areas of city plots. These spaces, often neglected or turned into illegal dumping grounds, were reimagined into vibrant community spaces, making the proposal both practical and sustainable. The jury praised the team for their ingenuity and their potential to inspire future urban development projects.