Mazharul Islam
Encyclopedia
Muzharul Islam FAIA
(25 December 1923 - ) is a Bangladeshi architect. He is the pioneer of architecture and Bengali modernism in Bangladesh
. Islam's style and influence dominated the architectural scene in Bangladesh in the 1960s and 70s, along with major US architects he brought to work in Dhaka
. Muzharul Islam is considered as the "Grand Master" of regional modernism in South Asia
.
As a teacher, architect, social and political activist, Islam set the course of architectural practice in the country not only through his own many varied works but also through being instrumental in inviting architects like Louis Kahn
, Stanley Tigerman
, Paul Rudolph
and Doxiadis
to work in Bangladesh.
. In 1956, he received a scholarship to study tropical architecture at the AA School of Architecture, London. In 1961, he completed his post-graduation under Paul Rudolph
from Yale University
. At Yale Stanley Tigerman
was one of his classmates, and there he came in touch of Louis I Kahn. Muzharul Islam began his career by designing two buildings in the Shahbag
area in 1955 - Dhaka University Library and Institute of Arts and Crafts(Art Institute Dhaka
). Between 1958 and 1964, Islam was the Senior Architect of the Government of East Pakistan.
into the project to do a significant work for future generation. Islam worked closely with him from 1965 to Kahn's death in 1973.
Along with Kahn, he also brought Paul Rudolph and Stanley Tigerman
to work in Bangladesh, and three of them came to be known as the American Trio. Apart from the Trio, it was Islam's monumental style that dominated Bangladesh architecture from 1950s onwards.
His major works include — Jahangirnagar University
, Chittagong University
, Central Public Library
, Charukala Institute
, the Azimpur Estate, Rangmati township
, and a number of Polytechnic Institutes. Islam designed the master plan of Dhaka
City. He also created the logo for the government of Bangladesh.
Muzharul Islam worked as professor of architecture at BUET, KU
and SUST.
A documentary film on Mazharul Islam named Tini(The Architect) was released by Institute of Architects Bangladesh in 2000, which was directed by Enamul Karim Nirjhar
.
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(25 December 1923 - ) is a Bangladeshi architect. He is the pioneer of architecture and Bengali modernism in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. Islam's style and influence dominated the architectural scene in Bangladesh in the 1960s and 70s, along with major US architects he brought to work in Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
. Muzharul Islam is considered as the "Grand Master" of regional modernism in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
.
As a teacher, architect, social and political activist, Islam set the course of architectural practice in the country not only through his own many varied works but also through being instrumental in inviting architects like Louis Kahn
Louis Kahn
Louis Isadore Kahn was an American architect, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. After working in various capacities for several firms in Philadelphia, he founded his own atelier in 1935...
, Stanley Tigerman
Stanley Tigerman
Stanley Tigerman is an American architect, theorist and designer. He studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Chicago Institute of Design, and Yale University. After serving several years in the United States Navy, he assumed the role of draftsman and designer in a series of offices...
, Paul Rudolph
Paul Rudolph (architect)
Paul Marvin Rudolph was an American architect and the dean of the Yale School of Architecture for six years, known for use of concrete and highly complex floor plans...
and Doxiadis
Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiadis
Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis , was a Greek architect and town planner. He became world wide known as the lead architect of Islamabad, the new capital of Pakistan, and later as the father of Ekistics...
to work in Bangladesh.
Early life
Muzharul Islam was born on December 25, 1923 in Murshidabad. He went to the United States in 1950 where he received his Bachelor degree in Architecture from University of OregonUniversity of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. In 1956, he received a scholarship to study tropical architecture at the AA School of Architecture, London. In 1961, he completed his post-graduation under Paul Rudolph
Paul Rudolph (architect)
Paul Marvin Rudolph was an American architect and the dean of the Yale School of Architecture for six years, known for use of concrete and highly complex floor plans...
from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. At Yale Stanley Tigerman
Stanley Tigerman
Stanley Tigerman is an American architect, theorist and designer. He studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Chicago Institute of Design, and Yale University. After serving several years in the United States Navy, he assumed the role of draftsman and designer in a series of offices...
was one of his classmates, and there he came in touch of Louis I Kahn. Muzharul Islam began his career by designing two buildings in the Shahbag
Shahbag
Shahbag is a major neighbourhood and a police precinct or Thana in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is also a major public transport hub, and serves as a junction between two contrasting sections of the city—Old Dhaka and New Dhaka—which lie, respectively, to its north and south...
area in 1955 - Dhaka University Library and Institute of Arts and Crafts(Art Institute Dhaka
Art Institute Dhaka
- Faculty of Fine Art :Faculty of Fine Art was an Institute of Dhaka University. The Institute turned into Faculty in 2008. This educational institute which established in 1948 was the first art educational Institute in this region and became the main centre of art and cultural practice. Its...
). Between 1958 and 1964, Islam was the Senior Architect of the Government of East Pakistan.
Career
His most important work was borne when the Governor's Conference of Pakistan decided in 1959, under the leadership of President Ayub Khan, that Dhaka will be second capital of Pakistan. The government decided to build a capital complex at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Muzharul Islam was given to design Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (National Assembly Building of Bangladesh). But, he brought his teacher Louis KahnLouis Kahn
Louis Isadore Kahn was an American architect, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. After working in various capacities for several firms in Philadelphia, he founded his own atelier in 1935...
into the project to do a significant work for future generation. Islam worked closely with him from 1965 to Kahn's death in 1973.
Stanley Tigerman
Stanley Tigerman is an American architect, theorist and designer. He studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Chicago Institute of Design, and Yale University. After serving several years in the United States Navy, he assumed the role of draftsman and designer in a series of offices...
to work in Bangladesh, and three of them came to be known as the American Trio. Apart from the Trio, it was Islam's monumental style that dominated Bangladesh architecture from 1950s onwards.
His major works include — Jahangirnagar University
Jahangirnagar University
Jahangirnagar University is a public university of Bangladesh. It is the one and only residential university in the country.The university was established in 1970 by the government of Pakistan by the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance, 1970. During the first two years, it operated as a...
, Chittagong University
Chittagong University
The University of Chittagong is a public university situated at the suburban area of Hathazari, Chittagong district, Bangladesh. The university was established in 1966. The campus is at 22 km north to the Chittagong city. It has a shuttle train service from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM for the...
, Central Public Library
Shahbag
Shahbag is a major neighbourhood and a police precinct or Thana in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is also a major public transport hub, and serves as a junction between two contrasting sections of the city—Old Dhaka and New Dhaka—which lie, respectively, to its north and south...
, Charukala Institute
Art Institute Dhaka
- Faculty of Fine Art :Faculty of Fine Art was an Institute of Dhaka University. The Institute turned into Faculty in 2008. This educational institute which established in 1948 was the first art educational Institute in this region and became the main centre of art and cultural practice. Its...
, the Azimpur Estate, Rangmati township
Rangamati
Rangamati is the Administrative Headquarter of Rangamati Hill District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The town is located at 22°37'60N 92°12'0E and has an altitude of 14 metres ....
, and a number of Polytechnic Institutes. Islam designed the master plan of Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
City. He also created the logo for the government of Bangladesh.
Muzharul Islam worked as professor of architecture at BUET, KU
Khulna University
Khulna University is one of the public universities in Bangladesh. It is situated at Gollamari, Khulna, Bangladesh, by the river Moyuree, beside the Khulna-Satkhira highway. The academic programs of Khulna University started on 31 August 1991 with only 80 students in four disciplines. Currently,...
and SUST.
Awards
- Institute of Architects, Bangladesh Gold Medal, 1993
- He was awarded the Honorable Fellowship, American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of ArchitectsThe American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
at the National convention of the Institute at Dallas, Texas in 1999. - He was an honorable member of the Master Jury of the First Aga Khan Award for ArchitectureAga Khan Award for ArchitectureThe Aga Khan Award for Architecture is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community...
, Geneva, 1980. - Islam has been a jury member for several national and international design competitions and awards including:
- The Aga Khan Award for ArchitectureAga Khan Award for ArchitectureThe Aga Khan Award for Architecture is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community...
- design contest for Faisal MosqueFaisal MosqueThe Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in Pakistan and is located in the national capital city of Islamabad.Faisal Mosque is conceived as the National Mosque of Pakistan...
competition in Islamabad - design contests for the headquarter building of the Islamic Development BankIslamic Development BankThe Islamic Development Bank is a multilateral development financing institution located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It was founded by the first conference of Finance Ministers of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference , convened 23 Dhu'l Qa'dah 1393 AH.The bank officially began its activities on...
in JeddahJeddahJeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The... - Headquarter building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building at RiyadhRiyadhRiyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
, which won Aga Khan Award for ArchitectureAga Khan Award for ArchitectureThe Aga Khan Award for Architecture is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community...
- The Aga Khan Award for Architecture
- He was awarded Independence Day AwardIndependence Day AwardThe Independence Day Award , also termed Independence Award , is the highest state award given by the government of Bangladesh. Introduced in 1977, this award is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations in recognition of substantial contribution to one of many fields, including the War...
in 1999, the highest state award of BangladeshBangladeshBangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
.
A documentary film on Mazharul Islam named Tini(The Architect) was released by Institute of Architects Bangladesh in 2000, which was directed by Enamul Karim Nirjhar
Enamul Karim Nirjhar
Enamul Karim Nirjhar is a Bangladeshi architect and film maker. His skills also include photography, writing poetries, stories and lyrics, with graphics designing and involvement in various social and organizational initiatives....
.
Notable works
| Year | Project | Image | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953-54 | The Institute of Arts and Crafts /Art Institute Dhaka Art Institute Dhaka - Faculty of Fine Art :Faculty of Fine Art was an Institute of Dhaka University. The Institute turned into Faculty in 2008. This educational institute which established in 1948 was the first art educational Institute in this region and became the main centre of art and cultural practice. Its... |
Shahbag Shahbag Shahbag is a major neighbourhood and a police precinct or Thana in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is also a major public transport hub, and serves as a junction between two contrasting sections of the city—Old Dhaka and New Dhaka—which lie, respectively, to its north and south... , Dhaka Dhaka Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city... |
||
| Public Library | Shahbag, Dhaka | |||
| National Archives | Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka | |||
| 1962 | Housing for class IV Employees | Azimpur Estate, Dhaka | ||
| 1963-64 | Railway Rehabilitation Zone | Khilgaon, Dhaka | Plan for the project | |
| Rangamati Town | Rangamati Rangamati Rangamati is the Administrative Headquarter of Rangamati Hill District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The town is located at 22°37'60N 92°12'0E and has an altitude of 14 metres .... , CHT Chittagong Hill Tracts The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise an area of 13,295 km2 in south-eastern Bangladesh, and borders India and Myanmar . It was a single district of Bangladesh until 1984. In that year it was divided into three separate districts: Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. Topographically, this is the... |
Plan for the project | ||
| 1963-65 | BCSIR Laboratory Buildings | Dhanmondi, Dhaka | ||
| 1964 | National Institute of Public Administration Building | Shahbag, Dhaka | ||
| 1965-71 | Headquarters Building, Agricultural Development Corporation | Motijheel Motijheel Motijheel is an administrative division of Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh. It is situated at the heart of the city . Motijheel is the major business and commercial hub of Dhaka city and has more offices and business institutions than any other part of the city... , Dhaka |
14 storied | |
| 5 polytechnic institutes | Rangpur Rangpur, Bangladesh Rangpur is one of the major cities in Bangladesh. Rangpur is considered as the centre of northwestern Bangladesh. Recently established public university of Bangladesh named as "Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur" is situated in the southern part of the city. Earlier Rangpur was the headquarter of... , Bogra Bogra Bogra is a town, and one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh. It is a centre of commerce and trade within the Bogra District and located under the Rajshahi Division. Bogra is sometimes described as the nerve centre of Northern Bangladesh. Amongst many notable activities, it has been hosting... , Pabna Pabna Pabna is a town in Rajshahi Division ofBangladesh and the administrative capital of eponymous Pabna District. It is located on the north bank of Padma river and has a population of about 138,000.-Name:... , Sylhet Sylhet Sylhet , is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the main city of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and was granted metropolitan city status in March 2009. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma Valley and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills... and Barisal |
In collaboration with Arch. Stanley Tigerman | ||
| EFU Building (Jiban Bima Bhaban) Project | Motijheel, Dhaka | 27 storied | ||
| Road Research Laboratories | Dhaka, Bangladesh | |||
| 1968-71 | Chittagong University master plan and designs | Chittagong University Chittagong University The University of Chittagong is a public university situated at the suburban area of Hathazari, Chittagong district, Bangladesh. The university was established in 1966. The campus is at 22 km north to the Chittagong city. It has a shuttle train service from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM for the... , Chittagong Chittagong Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading... |
Designs for students' hostel, humanities building, science building, administrative building, readers' quarters, VC's quarters, professors' quarters, storage and godowns | |
| Housing for Ruppur Atomic Energy Complex | Savar Sävar Sävar is a locality situated in Umeå Municipality, Västerbotten County, Sweden with 2,672 inhabitants in 2005.It is located by E4 about 15 km north of Umeå, Sweden. Sävar is mostly known for being the last battlefield of the Finnish War.... , Dhaka |
|||
| Jahangirnagar University Master Plan and designs |  |
Jahangirnagar University Jahangirnagar University Jahangirnagar University is a public university of Bangladesh. It is the one and only residential university in the country.The university was established in 1970 by the government of Pakistan by the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance, 1970. During the first two years, it operated as a... , Dhaka |
Designs for students' hostel, readers quarters and class IV employees' quarters | |
| 1980-84 | Jaipurhat Limestone and cement Project | Jaipurhat, Bangladesh | Master plan, housing for 200 officers, housing for 1700 employees, clinic and hospital, clinic and hospital, bazaar and mosque | |
| National Library | Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka | |||
| 1987 | Office Building for the World Bank World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty... |
Dhaka, Bangladesh | ||
| 1995 | Garden City Project | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 20 storied |
Publications
Some publication featured Muzharul Islam:- Encyclopedia Britannica Volume 22, 15th Editions 1986, page- 99.
- Architectural Review, London, April 1960, Page-155.
- Environments, Volume 19, Number 2, 1988, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Page-55 to 60.
- Architecture + Design, New Delhi, India, May-June, 1988, page- 26 to 32 & 36.
- Daily Sangbad, Dhaka, 23 December, 1993, Page-12.
- Daily Bhorer Kagoj, Dhaka, 24 December, 1993, Page-9.
- Daily Bhorer Kagoj, Dhaka, 7 March, 1994, Page-12.
- Weekly Holiday, Dhaka, 31 December, 1993, Page-6.
- Daily Star, Dhaka, August, 2000.
- Lecturer, Exhibition of Works of Four Architects of the Indian Sub-Continent; New York, Philadelphia, 1997.
- Lecturer, Exhibition of Architecture in Bangladesh, “Pundranagar” to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (350 B.C. to present time), 1997.
- An Architecture of Independence : The Making of Modern South Asia, 1997, University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. - The India International Centre Quarter: Monsoon 1997, Volume- 24, Number 2-3.
- Architect Muzharul Islam and Chicago Architect Stanly Tigerman did the elaborate study on typology and tectonics, ecology, climate and materials. Their study resulted in a major report, which was featured in the September 1968 issue of “Architectural Record".
Quotes
Some quotes by Muzharul Islam:- "You have to be a world man and a Bengali. It’s impossible otherwise... When I mention standing on one’s own soil... it is to find oneself, but not to find oneself and become stagnant. What I am seeking is to stand on one’s own feet and then to proceed forward. If for that reason I have to take two steps backward to go one step forward. I have no problem with that. I think that there is no other way of moving forward."
- "Symbol for what? Symbol of what? Symbol of whom?... The hesitation in my mind has deep roots. I feel that human society has been kept in darkness for thousands of years by the use of symbols. I revolt against it. By raising the issue of symbols, in the name of symbols, my perspective has been kept limited."
- "Cities should provide the environment for civilized life within the context of our own culture... The city can develop only as a part of the physical environment of the country- with the ultimate aim of abolishing all differences between the city and the rural areas. The traditional relationship with nature (still existing to a certain extent in the village of Bangladesh) should be continued in the cities."
- "The artistic qualities are essence of architecture. The practical aspects of architecture are measurable – such as, the practical requirements, climatic judgements, the advantages and limitations of the site etc. – but the humanistic aspects are not measurable. This depends on the talent, sensitivity and creativity of the architect. Only some bookish knowledge is not a sufficient tool in this regard. One has to be creative. One has to love his own land, its people and its culture and think profoundly about these. The love of one’s own land is the eternal source of creative power, which in turn, makes a proper architect."
Sources
Further reading
- Wares, Shamsul, Architecture in the 50s and 60s in Bangladesh, Architecture and Planning, BUET, 1982, Dhaka
- Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, Mazharul Islam, Kahn and Architecture in Bangladesh, 1989