DHAKA: Two sustainable construction projects located in Bangladesh have won “Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction 2014” for the first time.

Nusrat Jahan Mim, an architect-lecturer from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology has won the prize for her project titled - Portable Housing For Urban Poor In Bangladesh.

The project focuses on exploring the possibilities for an adaptable and integrated housing system for low income people in Bangladesh in order to attain the goal of creating a healthy, affordable and sustainable living.

The project suggests the use of local building materials such as bamboo and recycled materials, which will be affordable for the people of limited income. At the same time, the houses would be built in a way, which would enable the inhabitants to dismantle them when required and move from one location to another. 

The other project titled -Re-Made Fabric- Garment Industry Intervention has been authored by three French architects Meriem Chabani, Etienne Chobaux, and John Edom, of École Nationale Supérieured’ Architecture Paris Malaquais, France.

The project focusing on urban planning in Chittagong, suggests that garments can be produced at a micro level in smaller units instead of making the garments industry clustered within the Chittagong metropolis.

Working in smaller units would enhance the working condition of the workers and lead to increased job satisfaction and the overall working environment would improve.

This is for the first time in the history of the awards that sustainable construction projects in Bangladesh have won the awards. The awards ceremony for the Asia Pacific region was held recently in Jakarta, Indonesia. An independent and internationally renowned jury selected the winners focusing on the “triple bottom line” concept of People, Planet and Prosperity.

The jury also emphasized on the need for architectural excellence and a high degree of transferability while selecting the winners.

The awards giving ceremony was attended by around 350 guests from across the globe, including members of top management of Holcim Group, ambassadors of the various countries where Holcim operates,  internationally reputed architects, engineers, business leaders, journalists and intellectuals.

The Holcim Bangladesh delegation was led by its CEO Sumanta Pandit.

A total of 2132 projects were submitted from the Asia Pacific region, of which 13 were selected for the awards. 

BDST: 1321 HRS, NOV 19, 2014