In Bangladesh, a nation boasting a rich architectural heritage, the spotlight has traditionally been reserved for male architects, much like in every other sector. However, amidst this patriarchal panorama, visionary female architects like Nazma Anwar and Marina Tabassum have emerged, illuminating the skyline with years of hard work. They have challenged stereotypes, reshaped the narrative of architectural prowess, and inspired a host of budding female architects.

The Daily Star recently interviewed some leading young female architects in Bangladesh, including Nazli Hussain, Nazifa Zabeen Siddiqua, Ayesha Shafique, and Sinthia Nazia Nishat. Their insights shed light on how they perceive the changing landscape of contemporary architecture. Through their dedication and commitment, they have not only mastered their craft but also crafted compelling narratives of their professional journeys.

Nazli Hussain, a BUET graduate, boasts 16 years of experience in sustainable architecture, holding accreditation from the Illinois Green Building Council. She emphasizes green building practices to inspire others and consistently delivers exceptional results.

"Sustainable architecture is burgeoning in Bangladesh, driving my pursuit of expertise over 16 years. Collaborating on diverse projects, involving with the World Bank, I prioritize green building practices to inspire others. Despite uncertainties, my international experience and communication skills set my work apart. Clients trust me for exceptional results in green building projects," said Nazli.

Ayesha Shafique, a BUETian, despite societal pressures, transitioned from teaching to the real estate industry, finding fulfillment in overseeing projects from inception to completion.

"As the Principal Architect at Inspace Architects, one of the prominent architectural firms under RANCON Holdings Ltd., I have the authority to oversee every aspect of a project, particularly in the crucial finishing stages. This level of control and involvement aligns perfectly with my aspirations, making it the ideal career path for me within architecture," said Ayesha.

Photo courtesy: Diorama/designed by Ayesha Shafique

Nazifa Zabeen Siddiqua, after earning her B. Arch from BUET, pursued a Master's degree in urban sustainability in Singapore. Now an Assistant Professor at AIUB, she co-founded an architecture firm known as Stream Studio, aiming to push boundaries within the field.

"Specializing in consultancy services for building construction, landscape, and interior design has provided me with invaluable experiences and opportunities to collaborate with talented professionals domestically and internationally. Throughout these endeavors, I've continuously challenged myself to reach new heights and remain passionate about learning and growing within the field," said Nazifa.

Photo courtesy: CEGIS Bhaban/Designed by Nazli Hussain

For Sinthia Nazia Nishat, architecture is a lifelong passion. With diverse experience across design firms and real estate, she now leads interior projects at Credence Housing Limited, ensuring seamless execution.

 "My journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology, followed by roles as a Junior Architect at Development Design Group and later at Navana Real Estate. Throughout my career, I've embraced every opportunity to expand my horizons, gaining diverse expertise across various facets of architecture. From design firms to interior studios and real estate development, each experience has enriched my understanding of the field," said Sinthia.

Developing a unique style

In the realm of architecture studies, the fundamental guidelines mirror those of other major subjects, yet it is through the acquisition of both practical skills and theoretical understanding that an individual's unique style or design emerges and flourishes.

Nazli adheres to a contemporary style, prioritizing water efficiency, user-friendliness, and compact yet feature-rich designs. Given the scarcity of land and space, she focuses on integrating scarcity of land and space, she focuses on integrating automatic temperature control and greenery within clients' views, drawing from her expertise as a Leed AP, a credential that distinguishes those with advanced knowledge in green building.

"To optimize cost efficiency, I utilize local materials despite the prevalence of imported ones. Additionally, waste reuse is integral to my approach. As a seasoned construction manager with three years of experience at the British Council, I emphasize sustainability throughout the construction process and offer training to contractors through my firm, ensuring alignment with my design principles," said Nazli.

Ayesha's perspective on design is focused mostly on simplicity and a minimalistic approach. But, on a more focused scale, as an active architect of RANCON, she also has to mold the design viewpoint to conform to a real estate's requirements keeping budget, timeline, and other factors in mind.

Photo courtesy: Diorama/designed by Ayesha Shafique

"Nevertheless, the bold expression of simplicity is still the crowning point of my design philosophy. I strongly agree with the statement that "God is in the Details" by Mies Vander Rohe. Therefore, my ideology encompasses focusing on details and ensuring that every corner of the project receives attention, with a commitment to maintaining crisp detailing," said Ayesha.

Nazifa also prefers a simple, minimalistic approach to architecture and interior projects.

"In Bangladesh, we have beautiful variations in weather and vegetation throughout the year due to seasonal changes. Architecture should enable people to enjoy and celebrate gifts of nature such as the rain during monsoon, summer breeze, and warm sunlight during winter. I try to focus on achieving this in my projects keeping functionality as a major concern. For interiors, I avoid superfluous ornamentation and loud colors, rather prefer to display the materials in their natural state as much as possible. Neutrals like beige, off-white, pale blue, and grey are my favorite colors for interiors," said Nazifa.

Plants add life to any built environment and she also takes great interest in using various plants that thrive in specific indoor and outdoor conditions.

Sinthia's design style primarily emphasizes functionality while ensuring aesthetic appeal.

"While catering to clients' needs in real estate, I remain dedicated to minimalist designs, echoing Leonardo da Vinci's words: 'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.' Emphasizing comfort, I meticulously organize project details into mood boards, optimizing workflow and ensuring high-quality outcomes," said Sinthia.

Photo courtesy: Interior Design by Sinthia Nazia Nishat

Navigating gender bias

Globally, and in Bangladesh, the architecture and real estate industries are largely male-dominated, extending to collaborating professionals like vendors, contractors, and civil engineers. This imbalance fosters a pervasive gender bias, suggesting that female architects may lack the competence of their male counterparts.

Consequently, clients, investing significantly in their projects, may hesitate to consult female architects, influenced by stereotypes regarding their technical skills and leadership prowess. As a result, female architects often face the challenge of proving their credibility through extra effort. However, perceptions have started to evolve in the past decade, with an increasing number of female architects showcasing their capabilities across diverse industry roles.

Upon entering practice, Nazli Hussain faced subtle discrimination as clients would express interest but ultimately choose male counterparts. Understanding it was due to gender bias, not skill, she dedicated herself to excellence, and through perseverance, she gained a gender-blind reputation, attracting clients solely on merit despite predominantly male environments.

Ayesha Shafique mentioned that even renowned architect Zaha Hadid faced gender bias, often being addressed as "Mr. Hadid" initially due to societal expectations.

While the industry remains male-dominated, Ayesha has been fortunate to not encounter this bias at RANCON in her current position.

However, she contends that architecture requires interaction on all levels, from site work to project management to vendor deals. To see a project through from inception to completion, architects must engage with people at every level, irrespective of personal preference. Therefore, encountering limitations and adversity is inevitable in this profession unless the overall gender bias in society improves.

As an educator, Nazifa Zabeen Siddiqua observes a balanced gender ratio among architecture graduates in Bangladesh, with young female professionals excelling in consultancy firms which has given her hope for increased female representation in the profession in the coming decade.

Similarly, throughout Sinthia Nazia Nishat's career, she has prioritized honing her skills as an architect rather than emphasizing her gender. In her view, gender should not influence one's capabilities in the architectural profession or any other field.

Witnessing fellow female architects encountering challenges and discrimination, initiatives such as the "Women Architects in Bangladesh" Facebook group, in addition to collaborating with the Institute of Architects Bangladesh to establish a committee addressing concerns such as maternity leave and childcare, have been beneficial in fostering a supportive environment.

To conclude, young women architects should take confidence from their creativity and work ethics to unlock career potentials regardless the barriers to reach the door of success.