Spring 2022: Dhaka Studio: Dwelling in the Delta

Tue 19 Apr - Thu 30 Jun' 22

A collaborative studio of Bengal Institute with Global Housing Studio of TU Delft

Bengal Institute is once again organizing a semester-long joint studio program in spring 2022 with Global Housing Studio of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), based in the Netherlands. This is a unique opportunity for professionals and academics to interact and learn from renowned architects, scholars and thought-leaders through intense studio activities, discussions and lectures on housing and urban environments.

Following the successful completion of the program that was initiated in spring 2021, Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements is delighted to organize the second edition of the semester-long joint studio program in spring 2022 with Global Housing Studio of Delft University of Technology, based in the Netherlands (also known as TU Delft, it is one of Europe’s premier institution, and ranked No 3 in QS World Universities Ranking).

“Dhaka: Dwelling in the Delta” will be a unique semester-long studio in which students from Delft and Dhaka will work cooperatively in teams on online and offline channels (students in Dhaka will also meet in class/studio with Dhaka-based and visiting faculty from Delft, and depending on global pandemic situation will visit Delft). The studio program offers an opportunity for participants in the studio to interact with and learn from renowned architects, scholars and thought-leaders through intense studio activities, discussions and lectures on housing and urban environments. Resources from both cities will be devoted to the studio including experts on delta planning and successful housing examples in the Netherlands, and academic experts and scholars in Dhaka. The final work of the studio will be published as a book with an exhibition. BI students will receive credit for the studio if they pursue an academic program at TU Delft.

The program includes a design studio focusing on hydrological housing and lectures on urban design and housing conducted by faculty members from both institutions, as well as invited lectures from international experts. Classes will run 2 days per week, with studio hours aligned with the timing of TU Delft so that online interactions can take place. Students in Dhaka will participate in a hybrid in-class and online program.

For students at TU Delft, the “Bengal-TU Delft Studio” follows the MSc Global Housing studio that challenges participants to engage with pressing dwelling and urban issues in cities experiencing rapid urbanization, as well as with the increasing cross-cultural character of contemporary architectural practice. With the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, as focus, the studio challenges will include:

(1) issues of dwelling and housing in cities experiencing rapid urbanization,

(2) issues of urbanization and development in hydrological and vulnerable landscapes,

(3) understanding how housing is also a geographical fact, and

(3) a comparative understanding of Dutch and Bangladeshi settlement and landscape practices.

Depending on the ease of the global pandemic restrictions and international travel situation, there may be opportunities for Bangladeshi students to travel to Delft, Netherlands, as well as for TU Delft students to visit Dhaka, to work on academic projects as well as visit exemplary works and sites. The studio program will be directed by Kazi Khaleed Ashraf from Bengal Institute, and Dirk van Gameren and Rohan Varma from TU Delft. Marina Tabassum, Rahul Mehrotra, Saif Ul Haque and others will join as visiting faculty.

Considering the cross-cultural nature of international practices and pragmatics of working on specific sites for Dhaka, students of TU Delft will work in close collaboration with participants of Bengal Institute. They will form groups to exchange ideas, information and share knowledge of the studio and programs through online interactions and other communication channels.

Faculty:

Kazi Khaleed Ashraf
Dirk van Gameren
Rohan Varma

Critics and Special Guests:

Saif Ul Haque
Rahul Mehrotra
Marina Tabassum
—–
Other special faculties, prominent professionals in the field of urban design, housing and architecture may also be invited for seminars and workshops in both Dhaka and Delft.

Studio Theme and Focus:

Habitats in delta landscape, housing morphologies, landscape strategies, constructional innovation.
Learning to deal with the large-scale involving an integration of architecture, landscape strategies, spatial planning and ecological planning, especially in the dynamic context of the Bengal delta.
The “large scale” and the “complex” as studio topics.
Combining landscape urbanism and housing.
Site and content in Bangladesh.

Studio studies will combine comparative studies of Dhaka and cities in the Netherlands.

Spring 2022 Studio Schedule:

The joint studio program is a semester-long design studio with TU Delft that will run for 11 weeks, from 19th April to 30th June, 2022. The program will be held on Mondays and Thursdays, to match with the studio hours in Delft, Netherlands.

Time schedule for lectures/seminars TBA.

The Arrangements

Total number of participants from BI for the Joint Studio Program: 15 (maximum)

Subscription Charge for Bangladeshi Citizens (payable online):

*Subject to minor changes.
Total: ৳50,000 BDT, payable online, in one or two instalments.

The subscription charge covers: registration and tuition fees, all activities in Dhaka and nearby areas, and refreshments. It does not include any intercity or international travel expenses.

Discount: The amount is already highly subsidized. We may not be able to provide any discount.

Installment: You can pay in EMI through various Bangladeshi credit cards.

Travel Costs for travel to Delft, Netherlands (if travel takes place):

Round trip airfare from Dhaka to Rotterdam in May 2022: ৳103,100
Visa Application Fee: ৳7,561
Covid testing fee in Dhaka: ৳2500
Covid testing fee in Netherlands: ৳6775
Food (3 meals for 14 days): ৳61,860
Local transportation (monthly pass): ৳6,481
Accommodation: To be discussed

Registration Process:

Submit the online form and wait for the selection email. You will have to answer 2 essay questions and submit a portfolio of your works. We might also ask for additional documents to submit or call for an interview (online or in-person).
After the selection you will be informed about the payment options. Pay and confirm your admission.Application deadline: 3rd April, 2022

FAQ

If you have any question please use the “LiveChat” button at the bottom-right corner of this page, or write to [email protected]

Bengal Institute’s academic program’s standard FAQ, Admission guideline and payment guideline may not apply for this program. This program is unique, and has its own separate application, selection, admission and payment process.

Q: Is it a degree/credit granting program?
A: At Bengal Institute it is not. It is a general post-graduate certificate program, unaccredited, non-degree-granting. At TU Delft students in the Netherlands, it is part of their master’s program. Bengal Institute participants of this program may receive credit towards their master degree at TU Delft if they enroll there in future. Students can also claim credit at other institutions.

Q: Can anyone participate?
A: No, only the graduates of architecture (B.Arch. programs) can participate in this program. Exceptions may be considered for very special conditions.

Q: Can the payment be done in installments?
A: Yes, payment can be done in two installments.

Q: Are there any discounts/scholarships available?
A: There are no discounts at this time, but students with exceptional academic and professional works, or special urgencies, may be considered for scholarships. They need to write to the studio coordinator ([email protected]) separately about this.

Q: Is traveling to Delft mandatory for all participants?
A: No, it is entirely optional.

Q: Can the classes be held online for those outside of Dhaka?
A: Yes, classes will be in a hybrid arrangement. Those in Dhaka can attend together at Bengal Institute premises, while those outside of Dhaka can join in via Zoom. We will interact with and learn from students and faculty of TU Delft through Zoom meetings.