British Council Opens ‘Architecture of Coexistence’ Exhibition at Bengal Art Lounge

The British Council has inaugurated "Architecture of Coexistence: Spatial Narratives of Public Space in the Bengal Delta", an interdisciplinary exhibition at Bengal Art Lounge in Dhaka. The exhibition will remain open to visitors every day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm until July 25, 2026.

Bringing together art and architecture, the exhibition explores how feminist ethics, climate-responsive planning and community participation can contribute to creating more inclusive public spaces across the Bengal Delta. It features architectural installations built with locally sourced materials, traditional craftsmanship and environmentally conscious design, encouraging visitors to rethink the relationship between people, place and nature.

The exhibition was inaugurated by State Minister for Planning Md. Jonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, who said the government is moving towards policy reforms to make urban planning and public spaces more responsive to Bangladesh's realities. He noted that master plans for Dhaka and divisional cities are being prioritised before expanding the initiative to district and upazila towns.

He also stressed that all public development projects should ensure accessibility and inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities, while recognising rain, water and climate as integral elements of urban planning rather than obstacles.

Speaking at the event, James Goldman, Chargé d'Affaires and Development Director at the British High Commission in Bangladesh, said the exhibition presents a fresh vision for creating more inclusive and resilient public spaces through the integration of art, architecture and innovation. He added that the British Council's Women of the World (WOW) programme has consistently supported initiatives promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council Bangladesh, said the project connects the creative economy with social justice, inclusion and youth engagement. He noted that Bangladesh has enormous potential in design, architecture and culture, and expressed hope that the exhibition would inspire new thinking on creating shared public spaces through creative practice.

Delivering a special address, architect and Director General of the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, Professor Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, highlighted the collaborative nature of the installation. He said the project combines local materials, terracotta craftsmanship and community participation to foster a new dialogue between architecture, landscape and public space.

Supported by the British Council's WOW Bangladesh Grants Programme, the project is led by architects Saika Iqbal Meghna and Shuvra Shovon Chowdhury. The exhibition has been curated under the guidance of Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General of Bengal Foundation, and renowned artist Wakilur Rahman.

According to the organisers, the initiative reflects the British Council's ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality through arts and culture, promoting climate resilience, supporting women-led creative practices and strengthening Bangladesh's creative economy.

//DBTech/MR/EK//