Studio
Architect Rafiq Azam is a renowned Bangladeshi architect who has been in practice for over 30 years and has developed a distinct style of his own. His architecture is a harmonious blend of tradition, nature, and mysticism. Nature’s tiniest elements are poetically adorned in his buildings. A house, according to him, is not only a place for humans to live but also a place for butterflies and birds to nest. Rafiq’s mastery of light and shadow, water, and the air is influenced by mysticism, as mentioned by Lalon and Tagore. His maneuvers in “green architecture” appear to be an inspiring process of energy gain rather than a mere mechanism of energy saving.
VISION:
SHATOTTO architecture for green living, vows its voyage with the intent to unearth the lost history and heritage of Bengal and recreate the missing link of its urban and rural culture. Such expedition supplements its endeavor to institute a connection of local culture and its significance with the world culture of architecture.
MISSION:
SHATOTTO architecture for green living is also trying to bridge the missing gaps between the architectural values and the current crisis of responsible architecture to generate conversation between people, community, and nature for a healthy society.
FEATURES OF THE FIRM:
• It has developed into a consultancy organization that provides consultancy for detailed planning, design and engineering for the varied and diverse discipline of projects.
• Its professional achievements include a large number of Consultancy assignments.
• It is staffed by experienced and qualified professionals.
• The professional staff of SHATOTTO architecture for green living comprises Architects, Landscape Architects, Interior Designers, and Engineers of various disciplines. SHATOTTO architecture for green living also has an active panel of associate consultants and advisors with rich experience in various fields.
• SHATOTTO architecture for green living specializes in the provision of design, supervision for clients in the governmental, private and public sectors and offers a comprehensive package of services to its clients.
SHATOTTO intends to revive the lost history & heritage of Bengal & recreate the missing link of its urban and rural culture. Such expedition supplements its endeavour to build a connection of local culture and its significance with the world culture of architecture. SHATOTTO is also trying to bridge the missing gaps between the architectural values and the current crisis of responsible architecture to create a dialogue between people, community, and nature for a healthy society. With this mission, more than 25 people are persistently working at the firm at present.
The Principal Architect of SHATOTTO architecture for green living, Md. Rafiq Azam conferred his Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1989 and participated in Glenn Muster Master Class in Australia in 2004. Since May 1995, he has been operating his own firm. He has been teaching for the last 13 years as visiting faculty in various universities such as The National University of Singapore, NED University in Pakistan, North South University, University of Asia Pacific, Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology, BRAC University Dhaka, and worked as a Research Associate at BUET. Rafiq Azam has gained many achievements in architecture and painting which includes three World Architecture Community Awards 2008-09, shortlisting in Leading European Architects Forum Award (LEAF) '09, Emerging architect of the world by Urban Land USA '08, AR Emerging Award London '07, two times finalist for Aga Khan Awards for Architecture '04 and '07, Berger Award for Excellence '07, Kenneth F. Brown Asia Pacific Culture and Design Award USA '07, four times South Asian Awards for Architecture, IAB design Award '96, Mimar Design Award London '91, Nehru Gold Medal '76, National Television Award (Notun Kuri) '76 and so on. He has lectured around the world as a keynote speaker, including RAIA, Australia, Datum KL, and Vision 2020 Malaysia, Reggio Calabria University, Italy, University of Hawaii, The Catholic University of Washington D.C, Jadavpur University, India, NCA Lahore, IAP Karachi, Pakistan and many other. His solo and group exhibits have been held in the United States, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Singapore, Germany, England, Korea, and Bangladesh, among other places. Rafiq Azam has received extensive media coverage both nationally and internationally. His projects were also published in Architectural Review & AD magazine from London, Toronto Star from Canada, Ananda Bazaar from Kolkata, D+A Singapore, Indian Architect and Builder, Architecture Asia magazine Malaysia, Design for Housing Magazine from Italy, Urban land magazine, USA, Architecture Plus from UAE, Architecture Design Art (ADA) and International Journal of Urban & Regional Planning (IJURP) magazine from Pakistan, interviewed by New Strait Times and The Star from Malaysia, Karachi Times from Pakistan, The Daily Star from Bangladesh, Financial Times London and many more. Recently, the architectural magazines "NIRMAN" from Kolkata and "SHILPO ROOP" from Bangladesh released an entire issue dedicated to Rafiq's work.