Modernisation and expansion of architectural science and technology education

As an architect, I often contemplate how to design environmentally friendly buildings that can protect people from emerging diseases, pandemics, or environmental hazards — such as the ongoing extreme heatwaves — while ensuring their safety in everyday life. To enrich my knowledge in this field, I have been reading and studying various materials, especially focusing on solutions for the lower- and middle-income populations of our country.

Currently, Bangladesh has building codes and construction regulations in place, including the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020. In Part 3, Chapter 4, a new section called "Energy Efficiency and Sustainability" has been added, which includes environmental data that must be integrated into architectural practices. It's crucial now, more than ever, to prioritize environmental considerations, energy conservation, and health management in designing the cities and villages of tomorrow.

However, in the current system of architectural design approval in Bangladesh, we have yet to ensure environmental balance or compliance with the BNBC's environmental provisions. The main reason is the lack of a specialized energy monitoring or inspection team at the government level, consisting of qualified experts. Such teams are essential for ensuring energy savings from buildings and safeguarding the health of their occupants. This raises the question: Are we, through our existing architectural education system, particularly at the undergraduate level, producing the specialists or professional teams capable of fulfilling these roles?

In recent years, we have witnessed a growing interest in environmentally friendly and health-conscious construction in Bangladesh. Particularly in the garment and commercial building sectors, there has been a push to ensure environmental compatibility, with energy-saving architectural designs becoming a benchmark for evaluating the quality of institutions. International certification systems like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) have emerged to set standards. However, an important question remains: Can these international standards truly be adapted to prioritize our local climate, culture, and context?

Moreover, due to our country's high population density, many living spaces have elevated levels of carbon dioxide. In spaces without windows or open areas, the problem worsens, especially for people with respiratory issues. Sunlight and the color of interior spaces act like medicine for the mind. Additionally, research shows that excessive digital connectivity within homes can degrade social relationships, as current health research trends suggest. So, what can an architect do to address these issues in a cost-effective and easily implementable way? How can small changes in design help protect both our physical and mental health?

While many new ideas are circulating, not all are easily implemented or accepted. We must think of solutions that the general public can easily adopt and implement within their means, considering their limitations. Environmental change is happening rapidly, and along with it, pandemics are emerging, which could lead to more catastrophic situations in the future. Discussions on zero-carbon architecture, construction techniques, and material choices are becoming more prevalent. We need to set short- and long-term targets for Bangladesh to address these challenges, with the goal of integrating sustainable thinking into contemporary architectural practices.

In many of my readings, I've noted an important point: there is a deep connection between architecture and life sciences. However, this connection has yet to be fully integrated or reviewed in Bangladesh's architectural education. Concepts such as microbiology, genetic engineering, health-related architecture, and fundamental life science principles are still largely absent in architectural curricula. Sociology, life sciences, and health are vital to how architects will work and conduct research in the future, and schools of architecture around the world are working on integrating these topics.

Architectural students in Bangladesh must study a wide range of subjects, including physics, mathematics, sociology, and politics. However, from my experience as a student and now as a teacher, subjects like biology, microbiology, health sciences, chemistry, data science, or energy science are not given enough prominence in the curriculum, from entrance exams to advanced studies. But modern architectural research now prioritizes understanding human lifestyles, adaptation, environmental impact, genetic traits, health effects, and the influence of diseases and microbes. All of these areas intersect with architecture in significant ways. Architects do more than design buildings—they must consider all aspects of life. This awareness is crucial not just in research but also in professional practice globally. Therefore, it is essential to reconsider the curriculum of Bangladesh's architectural education, both at the undergraduate and advanced levels, for the benefit of society.

For instance, alongside the five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree, many renowned universities around the world offer a four-year degree in "Architectural Science and Technology." Students graduating from this program play a vital role in environmental issues, working alongside architects to ensure a building's environmental balance, energy efficiency, and adaptation to climate change. Graduates of these programs collaborate not only with architects but also with engineers and urban planners, contributing to a new profession that ensures contemporary buildings can adapt to changing environments. Bangladesh urgently needs such professionals.

Establishing undergraduate or graduate degree programs in Architectural Science and Technology is crucial for Bangladesh. These programs will enhance the capability of future architects to design energy-efficient structures, address climate change risks, and promote resilience. By training architects in energy-efficient design principles, Bangladesh can reduce its dependence on imported energy and make buildings more affordable to operate. The University Grants Commission and universities in Bangladesh can play a vital role in fostering new knowledge in this area.

Dr Sajal Chowdhury is an architect, educator at the Department of Architecture, CUET and researcher focusing on Environmental Experience Design, Architectural Science and Well-being.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard