Kashef Chowdhury Publishes 'Meditations in Entropy' Monograph Highlighting Six Civic Projects
Kashef Chowdhury, an architect from Bangladesh, has unveiled 'Meditations in Entropy,' a monograph published by Park Books that explores 18 projects from his 30-year tenure with Urbana. The publication includes essays by Kenneth Frampton and William J R Curtis, treating each project as a distinct case study. Notable works highlighted are the Srihatta – Samdani Art Centre (2018), Friendship Hospital (2018), Friendship Centre (2012), Museum of Independence (2013), Gulshan Mosque (2017), and a cyclone shelter in Kuakata (2018). Chowdhury underscores the importance of cost in sustainability, revealing that many of his clients are NGOs with tight budgets. His studio is dedicated to creating public buildings that cater to those unable to hire an architect, while honoring Bengal's cultural heritage.
Key facts
- Kashef Chowdhury published 'Meditations in Entropy' via Park Books, featuring 18 projects from his three-decade career with Urbana.
- The monograph includes essays by Kenneth Frampton and William J R Curtis, presenting each project as an independent case study.
- Chowdhury calls the book a 'cultural document' that explains why, how, when, where, and for whom projects were made.
- The roundup features six civic projects: Samdani Art Centre (2018), Friendship Hospital (2018), Friendship Centre (2012), Museum of Independence (2013), Gulshan Mosque (2017), and a cyclone shelter in Kuakata (2018).
- Friendship Hospital received the RIBA International Prize in 2021.
- Urbana won a national design competition in 1997 for the Museum of Independence and Independence Monument of Bangladesh, completed in 2013.
- The cyclone shelter in Kuakata was realized in 2018 after 11 years of seeking funding following Cyclone Sidr in 2007.
- Chowdhury states that cost is a vital part of sustainability and that he prefers using local handmade bricks to respect Bengal's culture.
Entities
Artists
- Kashef Chowdhury
- Kenneth Frampton
- William J R Curtis
Institutions
- Urbana
- Park Books
- Samdani Art Foundation
- Friendship
- RIBA
- Dezeen
Locations
- Bangladesh
- Sylhet
- Dhaka
- Kuakata
- Bengal
Sources
- Dezeen —