Sustainable architecture can ensure best use of resources: BUET team wins world award

Architects at a programme here yesterday said Bangladesh needs sustainable architectures to ensure the best use of its existing resources.
“Bangladesh suffers from various problems due to mismanagement of wealth and lack of sustainable architectures,” Architect Ahsan Ullah Mojumder of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) told a press conference on the campus.
Sustainable architecture is a general term that describes environmentally-conscious design techniques in the field of architecture. It is framed by larger discussions on sustainability and the pressing economic and political issues of the world.
In a broader sense, Mojumder said, sustainable architecture seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space.
“A sustainable architecture contains more effectiveness and low-cost which is more appropriate for Bangladesh,” Mojumder said.
Architect Ahsan said the government can establish pediatric clinic addressing the huge crisis of proper health centre in rural areas.
“Despite all limitations, our government can construct environment-friendly and sustainable buildings to reduce our costs,” he suggested.
The press conference was jointly arranged by Architecture Department of BUET and Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF).
It was addressed, among others, by head of Architecture department, BUET Prof Shaheda Rahman, Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar and Asst Professor of Architecture, BUET and Editor of Creative World BBF Nazia Andaleeb Preema.
Meanwhile, a BUET team has won the first prize of an international architectural design competition, ‘Design for the Children’, held in the USA.
The competition was jointly organised by Fight for the Children, Architecture for Humanity in Seattle and American Institute of Architects in Seattle.
Sheikh Ahsan Ullah Mojumder, assistant Professor of Architecture department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), led the BUET team. The other members of the team are Dilruba Ferdous Shuvra, Asifur Rahman and Dr Sharmina Sultana.
Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF) and BUET Architecture department disclosed the results of the competition at a press conference on the campus yesterday.
There were about 300 entries from over 30 countries in the competition with top 50 designs being put on display and the results of the winners were announced at Humanity for Children’s Bubbles and Sweets Fundraiser on May 2, 2009. Lara Calder Architect from Australia won the second place while Perkins and Will from Seattle of United States placed third.
The BUET team took part in the ‘Design for the Children’ competition by sending the design through courier services. However, the award does not carry any prize money.
The ‘Design for the Children’ competition was arranged for a basic pediatric clinic that would address childbirth and diseases, particularly prevailing in Africa.
Architects and designers participated in the design competition from across the globe to develop an adaptable, sustainable and culturally responsive pediatric clinic that can be modified to fit different sites in East Africa.
During academic career, Ahsan Ullah received Monbusho Scholarship, Japan and other awards for academic excellence. His other awards include ‘Ahsanur Rahman Gold’ in M. Arch and Habibur Rahman Scholarship in B.Arch, BUET.

Courtesy of UNB, Dhaka