Dhaka exhibition highlights emerging architect Nuri Bhuiyans fusion of space and storytelling

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Architectural design exhibitions are increasingly drawing diverse crowds to Dhaka’s art galleries, bridging the gap between professional design practitioners and the general public. This trend continued on Wednesday with the opening of a solo exhibition at the Kolakendra gallery in Lalmatia, showcasing the interdisciplinary work of emerging architect Nuri Bhuiyan.

Titled “From Form to Thought,” the exhibition distinguishes itself by integrating traditional architectural models and photography with immersive video installations. The opening ceremony featured insights from architect Salauddin Ahmed and filmmaker Nuhash Humayun, while Kolakendra director Wakilur Rahman introduced the artist’s unique trajectory.

Bhuiyan, a second-generation Bangladeshi-American, holds an undergraduate degree in architecture from Harvard University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania, with a minor in Art, Film, and Visual Studies. Her presence in Dhaka is currently tied to a professional internship at Marina Tabassum Architects, the firm led by the internationally acclaimed architect.

The exhibition highlights two core architectural projects that reflect Bhuiyan’s focus on the intersection of public space and structural design. The first is a library proposal for a triangular site at the University of Pennsylvania, designed to emphasize the fluid relationship between urban topography and human activity.

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The second project proposes an expansion for the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Philadelphia. Designed as a dedicated space for contemporary art, the project seeks to serve both the University of Pennsylvania community and the surrounding neighborhoods. Notably, the design incorporates architectural elements inspired by Marina Tabassum’s award-winning Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka, demonstrating a conscious dialogue between global contemporary practice and regional heritage.

In addition to technical drawings and models, the exhibition features two film works: an intimate documentary centered on her grandmother and a short film exploring the architectural significance of the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque. A collection of architectural photographs rounds out the display. The exhibition remains open to the public daily from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. through August 10.