Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury was
born in Dhaka, the son of a civil engineer,
growing up in Bangladesh and the Middle East before
graduating in architecture from
the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in
1995. In 2006, he attended the Glenn Murcutt Masterclass in Sydney.
After working with architect
Uttam Kumar Saha, he established the practice URBANA in partnership in 1995 and
from 2004 has continued as the Principal of the firm. Chowdhury is married to
Rajrupa Chowdhury, an Indian classical musician of the instrument Sarod. They have a son, Rayan Mahboob Chowdhury.
Kashef Chowdhury has a studio
based practice whose works find root in history with strong emphasis on
climate, materials and context - both natural and human. Projects in the studio
are given extended time for research so as to reach a level of innovation and
original expression. Works range from conversion of ship and low cost raised
settlements in 'chars' to training centre, mosque, art gallery, museum,
residences and multi-family housing to corporate head offices.
