Photo Exhibition in Dhaka Showcases Architectural Legacy of Mazharul Islam
Photo Collected
A unique photography exhibition titled “Spaces of Belonging” is currently underway at the lobby of the National Public Library in Agargaon, Dhaka, showcasing the architectural legacy of pioneer Bangladeshi architect Muzharul Islam. Curated by Swiss architect Niklaus Graber, the exhibition features 24 large-scale photographs that capture the intersection of structural aesthetics and natural surroundings.
The exhibition is based on Graber’s research-oriented book, “Spaces of Belonging: The Architecture of Muzharul Islam,” published by Quart Verlag in Lucerne, 2025. The display highlights 10 iconic projects designed by Islam, including the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Central Library of Dhaka University, the Road Research Laboratory, Jahangirnagar University, the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), the National Public Library and Archives, the Science and Industrial Research Laboratory, Chittagong University, and polytechnic institutes in Bogra, Pabna, Rangpur, Sylhet, and Barisal.
Muhtadin Iqbal, a supervisor at the Muzharul Islam Archive and an associate professor, stated that the organization plans to hold a total of 10 exhibitions at the specific sites of Islam’s architectural works. The ongoing event at the National Library, which began on August 8, serves as the second in this series and concludes on Thursday, August 13. It remains open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The project follows a series of regional initiatives, including the book’s formal launch on April 25 at the Institute of Architects Bangladesh and an inaugural exhibition at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. Organizers intend to host upcoming installments at Chittagong University and Jahangirnagar University.
Reflecting on the work of Muzharul Islam, who lived from 1923 to 2012, Niklaus Graber noted that the architect left an extraordinary legacy that transcends time and geography. Graber, a co-founder of the Swiss firm Graber & Steiger Architects and a former educator at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, has spent years researching Bangladesh’s architectural landscape. His book integrates analytical discourse with original design blueprints and photographic documentation.
Graber maintains a consistent engagement with the Bangladeshi architectural community, having previously conducted workshops at the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes, and Settlements. The current exhibition at the National Public Library is supported by the Muzharul Islam Archive at the University of Asia Pacific.
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