IAB Awards 2025 Celebrates Architectural Excellence with Asian Paints

The Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), with AsianPaints Bangladesh Limited as the exclusive partner, organised the IAB Awards2025 ceremony on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom ofInterContinental Hotel in Dhaka. The event celebrated outstanding achievementsin architecture, interior design, research and innovation, recognising thecontributions of architects and designers to Bangladesh's architecturallandscape.

The ceremony brought together leading architects, designprofessionals, researchers and distinguished guests. The programme featured theIAB Awards 2025, IAB Interior Design Awards 2025 and IAB Thesis Awards 2025,recognising excellence across different categories. A total of 10 awards and 10commendations were announced. No IAB Gold Medal was awarded this year. The GoldMedal is the institute's highest honour, recognising an architect's lifetimecontribution to architecture.

In the Architecture category, Reaz Residence by DWm4Architects received the IAB Award 2025 in the Individual Dwelling category. Theproject was designed by Ar. Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad, Ar. Mamnoon MurshedChowdhury, Ar. Shaoki Shamim and Ar. Md. Obidur Rahman Rajib. The awardrecognises excellence in architectural design, innovation and creativity.

In the Research and Publication category, Ar. Md.Ashikur Rahman Joarder received an award for his research titled Influenceof Preliminary Architectural Design Decisions on Electricity Consumption ofResidential Buildings in Dhaka. Ar. Tanzil Shafique received an award inthe Publication (Book) category for City of Desire, while Ar. QuaziFahima Naz, Md. Ashikur Rahman Joarder, Ar. Subrata Chandra Sikder and Ar.Sajia Shoeb received an award in the Publication (Article) category for OptimisingDaylight Availability and Energy Performance through Skylight and Atrium Designin a Cultural Institution: A Case Study Towards Achieving Net Zero EnergyBuildings in Dhaka. The awards recognise significant contributions toarchitectural research, knowledge and publications.

In the Interior Design category, Kobita Kunjo byJubair Hasan Architects received an award in the Residential category. Theproject was designed by Ar. Md. Jubair Hasan, Ar. Tahmida Afroze, Ar. Md. FahadBin Mostafiz, Ar. Hosni Mobarak, Ar. Suravi Rani Sutradhar, Ar. H.M. RomanurRahman and Ar. Sheikh Sakib Rahman. Meanwhile, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KnowledgeHub by Framework received two awards, in the Culture and Entertainment andFurniture Design categories. The project was designed by Ar. Md. Faysal Kabirand Ar. Anup Kumar Basak. The awards celebrate creativity, functionality andinnovative approaches to interior design.

In the IAB Thesis Awards 2025, Md. Shafait Bin Alamfrom Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) secured firstposition for his thesis titled Palimpsest of Play and Pedagogy: Designing aChild-Centric Madrasa through Sympathetic Re-use of Boro Katra. NabilaNusrat from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology secured second positionfor Reclaiming the Margins: Designing Inclusive Housing for the HarijanCommunity, while Ajmain Armin Pritu from the University of Asia Pacificsecured third position for From Eid to Everyday: Reimagining Dhanmondi ShahiEidgah as a Living Monument. The awards recognise outstanding achievementsin architectural education, highlighting creativity, innovation and researchpotential among emerging architects.

In addition to the award winners, commendations werepresented to outstanding projects and academic works across the fourcategories, recognising further contributions to architectural design,research, interior design and education.

The event began with a welcome address by Ar. NowajishMahbub, Vice President (National Affairs), IAB, followed by remarks from KhanSalahuddin Mohammad Minhaj, Country Director, Asian Paints Bangladesh Limited.Ar. Prof. Dr. Md. Nawrose Fatemi, Awards Director, IAB, highlighted theimportance of the awards in promoting design excellence, innovation andarchitectural research.

The awards and recognitions were presented by Ar. Prof. Dr.Abu Sayeed M. Ahmed, President, IAB, and Ar. Prof. Dr. Masud Ur Rashid, GeneralSecretary, IAB. The ceremony also honoured jury members and the AwardsCommittee for their contributions to the selection and evaluation process.

Established shortly after Bangladesh's independence, IAB isthe country's national professional organisation of architects, representingapproximately 8,300 members. Over the past five decades, the profession hasexpanded beyond building design to include urban design, landscapearchitecture, heritage conservation, interior design and other relateddisciplines.

As the exclusive partner of the IAB Awards 2025 ceremony,Asian Paints Bangladesh Limited continues to support initiatives that promotearchitectural creativity, innovation and design excellence. Through thispartnership, the company reinforces its commitment to recognising thecontributions of architects in creating sustainable, functional andaesthetically appealing spaces.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Ar. Prof. Dr.Masud Ur Rashid, General Secretary, IAB, followed by dinner for the guests andparticipants.