Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA): At a Glance

Marina Tabassum Architects is a distinguished architectural practice based in Dhaka, founded in 2005 by Marina Tabassum, who had previously co-founded URBANA in 1995.

MTA’s ethos is firmly rooted in:

• Contextual relevance: Designs deeply responsive to local climate, geography, culture, and history.

• Sustainability and social equity: Prioritizing environmentally conscious and socially responsible architecture.

• Research-led approach: Every project is backed by thorough research and engagement with communities.

MTA remains selective, handling a limited number of thoughtfully chosen projects each year.

Signature Projects

1. Bait Ur Rouf Mosque (Dhaka, 2012)

• A serene urban mosque celebrated for eschewing traditional domes and minarets, using light and natural ventilation as architectural elements.

• Earned the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2016).

2. Independence Monument & Liberation War Museum (Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka)

• Designed with URBANA (1997–2006), this solemn project memorializes Bangladesh’s liberation struggle through minimalist, site-responsive architecture.

3. Comfort Reverie (Banani, Dhaka)

• A 12-story residential building completed in 2011, known for its rhythmic brick façade, effective solar shading, and enhanced ventilation—meeting new regulations for open space in city developments.

4. Khudi Bari (“Small House”)

• A modular, low-cost, climate-adaptive housing solution for flood-affected communities. Designed to be lightweight, transportable, and built with local materials—over 100 units in use.

• Recently awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2025).

5. Serpentine Pavilion 2025 (London)

• Her latest global commission—a 55-meter-long pavilion built around an ancient ginkgo tree, constructed with bamboo and warm fabrics. Inspired by traditional Bengali shamiyana tents, it blends architectural symbolism with communal purpose.

• It’s the first kinetic pavilion in the series, accommodating up to 200 people with movable hydraulic sections; a future vision envisions it becoming a library celebrating Bengali culture.

Other notable works include community centers in Rohingya refugee camps, panigram eco resort, and memorial complexes

Recognitions & Influence

Marina Tabassum’s contributions have received global acclaim:

• Aga Khan Award for Architecture: Bait Ur Rouf Mosque (2016) and Khudi Bari (2025) 

• Other accolades: Soane Medal, French Academy of Architecture Gold Medal, Arnold Brunner Prize, Lisbon Lifetime Achievement Award, and more

• Named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People (2024)

• Her practice model and design philosophy are celebrated internationally as forward-thinking and contextually informed

She has also contributed to architectural academia worldwide, teaching at Delft University of Technology, University of Toronto (Gehry Chair), Harvard GSD, and others 

Final Thoughts

Marina Tabassum Architects stands out for its meaningful blend of architectural grace, cultural empathy, and climate resilience. Whether through sacred spaces, memorials, eco-resorts, or humanitarian housing, MTA’s work consistently elevates the narrative of place, people, and purpose.