ARCHITECTURE & ARCHITECT:

Architecture evolved from the basic need to create shelter. The beginnings are rooted in man’s primal need to define space and an envelope for his daily activities. As the act of living gained complexity, so did the awareness for space definition. This basic requirement acquired many adjuncts and revealed it self in terms of social, political, religious, cultural and other needs. Architecture became manifest in a multitude of man’s endeavors in the political, social, religious and economic spheres-transcending the simple scope of defining as shelter. Aside from geographical positioning-political, cultural, economic and technological environments have shaped and generated architectural norms that define the characteristic of a place. And, in that manner, the architecture of a place eventually becomes the symbol and marker for its society. In Bangladesh, as elsewhere in the world, architectural norms have evolved from a similar pattern of an awakened conscious and aesthetic.

The earliest known examples of architectural pursuits in Bangladesh, lie at Mahasthangarh and date from the 2^nd century BC. From the early marvels at Paharpur, Mainamati and Gaur that bespeak the golden age of ancient architecture, patterns have changed and evolved to the present-day scenario as part of a continuum that was progressively conditioned by Sultanate. Moghul, Colonial and 20^th century rule.

Architecture bears the stamp of the physical environment and the people that have begotten it and in the process certain styles are established. When cultural mores, aesthetic leanings and territorial definitions are absorbed in patterns which generate and evolve over time. In this region, architectural styles have developed in the same manner and have been influenced and generated largely by climatic, historical, technological, economical and political considerations.

Having transcended the cave man’s attempts at art and further down, the grandiose art and architecture of the middle ages, architecture is now established as a serious profession absorbing in its wake technical and artistic skills and a keen aesthetic.

Today, although the creation of a piece of architecture requires the combined skills of many professionals, the architect still remains the key player. The architect synthesizes his formal learning, professional skill and artistic acumen to envision a structure that is functional and responsive to the needs of a society. The act of design which establishes the language of the architecture is a complex set of man oeuvres that link the expectations of an individual, organization or society, and strives to weld financial, positional, stylistic and technological limitations that may exist. Architecture, therefore, is a functional and culturally responsive practice.

PROFILE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE:

The Department of Architecture is the only Government organization to impart architectural services under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and responsible for designing all Government buildings and also for public housing schemes across the country. The Department not only prepares architectural designs and layout plans for public building and housing projects but also advises the Government on policy matters relating to human settlement and land use planning. It also offers advice / recommendation/assistance with respect to master plans, architectural plans, environmental conservation work, general architectural services etc. related to different projects as per requirements of different Ministries, Departments, Directorates, and Corporations etc.

All the architectural drawings of projects implemented for different Ministries, which are executed by the Public Works Department and Housing and Settlement Directorates (Now National Housing Authority) are prepared by the Department of Architecture. Besides providing the services and help of architecture, planning and housing design for the public sector the Department of Architecture played a vital role during the formulation of the National Housing Policy-1993 and the National Building Code 1993 (Modified in 1999). The steering Committee constituted by the Government to up-to-date the Building Code is also headed by Chief Architect of this Department.

In the pre-liberation period there was a dearth of architect officers having adequate technical qualifications in the architectural offices that existed then. However architects graduating from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology began to join this office since the first batch graduated in 1967. Presently there are a number of institutes that produce graduates in architecture and some of them are joining this Department.    

Department of Architecture is headed by the Chief Architect who is a grade-II officer of the Government. Total approved strength of the department presently is 277, which includes in addition to Chief Architect, 1 (one) Additional  Chief Architect, 6 (six) Deputy Chief Architects, 16 (sixteen) Assistant Chief Architects, 48 (forty eight) Assistant Architects, 1 (one) Executive Engineer (Civil), 1 (one) Assistant Engineer (E/M), 1 (one) Administrative officer along with necessary of Draftsman, Model-makers and Supporting General and Technical Staff. A good number of architects in the department have post graduate degree/diploma/ training in various specialist fields like housing, urban design, hospital and health facility planning, interior design, acoustical design, environmental management etc. Most of the officers and staff have undergone  various training programs offered by the PATC, Planning and Development Academy, Bangladesh  Institute of Management and such organizations.

The Chief Architect of this department has been declared as ex-office “Authorized Officer” under the Building Construct Act, for all public building and projects implemented under the Ministry of  Housing and Public works.

The Department of Architecture works mainly for the following ministries and their subordinate offices:

Agriculture Ministry, Cabinet Division, Chittagong Hill Tracks Affairs Ministry, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Commerce Ministry, Cultural Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, Disaster Management and Food Ministry, Education Ministry, Environment And Forest Ministry, Establishment Ministry, Expatriate’s Welfare & Overseas Employment Ministry, Finance Ministry, Fisheries & Livestock Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Health & Family Welfare Ministry, Home Affair Ministry, Housing & Public Works Ministry, Industries Ministry, Jute & Textile Ministry, Labour & Manpower Ministry, Land Ministry, Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, Liberation War Affairs Ministry, Local Government, Rural Development & Co-Operatives Ministry, Planning Ministry, Religious Affairs Ministry, Science, Information and Communication Technology Ministry, Shipping Ministry, Social Welfare Ministry, Women and Children Affairs Ministry,   

SCOPE AND EXTENTS OF SERVICES:

Scope of Services:

Department of Architecture is the lone department in public sector which provides basic architectural services for development projects and scheme under taken by the government ministries and departments. Although the service is primarily limited to the projects implemented under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. This department does not provide services directly to the members of the public. But physical facilities designed by the department as Offices, Courts, Hospital, Training Institute, Educational Institute, Auditorium, Cultural Center, Monument and Memorial, Housing, Recreational and Amusement Facilities, Restored of Heritage and Old buildings, Cyclone Shelters, Circuit Houses  are meant to be created  for use by the members of the public.

Allocation of Functions:

a. Basic architectural services including site selection; preliminary survey of sites before taking up planning and designing of building project.

b. Preparation of detailed drawings for execution of building projects and supervision of construction work to ensure execution as per Architects plans and specification.

             c. Preparation of Master plans and Lay out plans.

d. Studies, proposals for formulation of space standards for Government offices and residential buildings and assessing land requirements for various building projects.

e. Offer advice to Government on policy matters relating to human settlement and land use planning.

       f. Assisting various public agencies in preparing plans for their building projects including assessing their land requirem