Lecturer
Department of Architecture
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Dhaka-1000, BANGLADESH
E-mail: fakarim_07@yahoo.com

M.Arch		Dept. of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), 2007.
B.Arch		Dept. of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), 2004.
HSC		Dhaka College, 1996.
SSC		Dhaka Govt. Laboratory HIgh School, 1994.

Lecturer		Dept of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) July 2005 – continuing.
Lecturer		Dept of Architecture, The University of Asia Pacific, Dhanmondi Dhaka 1209, from 17th April, 2004 – 28t July 2005
Part time lecturer		Ecole de design , Alliance Francaise, Dhaka (Appreciation course of Interior Design) Since 2004 - 2005

M. Arch Thesis Topic

Title: A Phenomenological Study of Perception of Dochala Form, As an Image

Supervisor: Dr. Shayer Ghafur

In the discourse of architectural history, origin and type are the two significant components of architectural genesis in any given society. In search of this genesis, most local attempts consider the rural Dochala type hut as the point of instigation, derived rationally from the climatic, structural and geographic conditions of a region. Missing in this approach is a philosophical inquiry to relate Dochala form with its perceived image. When Dochala is represented as an image, this research asks, first, does Dochala indicate any relation with human's existential values? Second, what are the parameters shaping the Representation of Dochala for purposes other than the existential values? In addressing these questions, this research, in addition, also identifies the meaning of Dochala beyond the consideration of organizing and valuing its constituent elements only as part of a ‘self-referral utilitarian product'.

A subjective method of reasoning through phenomenology, a branch of philosophy, is considered to investigate and delineate the perception of Dochala form as an image. Hermeneutic phenomenology provides a theoretical framework for this research; existing texts and images from secondary sources are reviewed and interpreted for analysis, in particular, to find out the existential parameters shaping the represented image of Dochala . Within this framework, the research examines the following three issues: (a) the perception of house , first in general and then specified to Dochala ; (b) the perception of Dochala 's form as an Image within its context of time, place and man; (c) the process of expressing the Image into Style creating a ‘spatial scheme' of our architectural tradition.

The research produced the following key findings. First, Dochala in general is the dialectic condition of man's dwelling craving for a utopian harmony. The image of Dochala indicating this harmony is the manifestation of man's existential query. This query is related with deep symbolic level of man's relation with his environment, and is interpreted metaphorically through the elements of architecture. Second, Dochala reveals human existence by connecting the ambiguous ‘sense of time', and for it's dweller it becomes a representing image for ‘meaning of life' but remains incapable of providing scopes for creating a style . Dochala 's inability to offer stylistic complexity rather validates its simple representation of the complex structure of human poetics.

The findings of this research identify a few significant issues which help construct a basis for future discourse on local architectural history and criticism. Existential dimensions of contemporary local architectural practice, the coherence and difference of ‘modernism' and ‘regionalism' in this locality, nature of modernism and modernity in architecture and the role of rural architecture in contemporary discourse are some of the issues which can be explored as a continuation of this research .

• Theory of Architectural History
• Modernism and Modernity in Architecture: West and Beyond West
• Nature of Modernism in the Arhitecture of Bangladesh
• Critical Regionalism and the Relevance of Western Modernity

• Ghafur, S.; Rahman, A. & Karim, F.S. (2007). Studio Discourse in Searching Liberating Alternatives: Dhaka Experience . Proceedings of 1st Conference Asia Link-Urbs, Colombo , Srilanka, pp. 75-92

• Karim, F.S. (In Press) Fallacy of the Beholden: Regional Architecture and the Colonized Schemata . Submitted to upcoming CSAAR 2007 conference, Regional Architecture and Identity in the Age of Globalization, Tunis , Tunisia , 13-15 November, 2007.

 

Papers Presented at Conferences and Seminars

· Ghafur, S.; Rahman, A. & Karim, F.S. (2007). Studio Discourse in Searching Liberating Alternatives: Dhaka Experience . Proceedings of 1st Conference Asia Link-Urbs, Colombo , Srilanka, pp. 75-92

· Karim, F.S. & Khan, N.R. (2005). The Question of Change International Congress, The City as a Grand Bazaar , Istanbul , UIA, 2005. Abstract Published pp. 124

•  Karim, F.S. (2005) Ethnicity and the place Making Process within the New Urban fabric , ‘Geography and Environment Issues and Challenges' International conference of Bangladesh geographical society, department of geography and environment Dhaka University, December 9-11, 2005, to mark its 50th Anniversary. Abstract Published pp. 143

 

Service / Affiliations

• Member, Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB)

• Member, Seminar Committee, 18th CAA Conference Dhaka 2006 “Society, Architects and Emerging Issues”

• Member, Website and Cultural Event Management committee of international seminar “Architecture for the Economically Disadvantage,” 23- 24 th March 2007 , Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh .

• Committee Member, Web site and Media, International seminar “ Climate Change and Built Environment” , will be held at December, 2007

• Member, Web site development Committee, The official Website of DEpt. of Architecture BUET
• Member Secretary, Committee Member, “ Workshop and Advance Professional Certificate Course”, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology BUET Dhaka .