The Chittagong University Museum is hosting a week-long exhibition showcasing the architectural works of Muzharul Islam, a pioneer of modern architecture in Bangladesh and South Asia.
Titled ‘Spaces of Belonging: An Exhibition on the Architecture of Muzharul Islam, with Photographs by Niklaus Graber,’ the exhibition opened on Tuesday and will continue until October 15 at the museum’s exhibition hall on the ground floor of the university’s central library building in Chattogram.
The exhibition features 24 photographs documenting 10 significant architectural projects by Muzharul Islam.
Swiss architect, researcher, and photographer Niklaus Graber took the photographs during his visits to Bangladesh over more than a decade.
The exhibition also includes drawings from the Muzharul Islam Archive at the University of Asia Pacific.
The exhibition explores how Muzharul Islam’s architectural vision connected modern design with Bangladesh’s landscape, climate, and social context.
His work played an important role in the University of Chittagong’s architectural and institutional development.
Graber first visited Bangladesh in 2012 to see the National Parliament House in Dhaka, designed by architect Louis I. Kahn.
His subsequent engagement with Muzharul Islam’s work led to years of research, repeated visits and photographic documentation, culminating in the publication of Spaces of Belonging: The Architecture of Muzharul Islam.
The University of Chittagong Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Mohammad Al-Forkan, inaugurated the exhibition at 11:30am on Tuesday.
A special talk and discussion titled “Spaces of Belonging – The Architecture of Muzharul Islam” was also scheduled to be held at 12:15pm at the Senate Room on the second floor of the university’s A R Mallick Bhaban, with Graber as the speaker.
The exhibition is open to the public from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm daily until October 15.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
