About me

Community Architect

Urban Planner

Researcher

Rubaiya Nasrin

In a quote Gandhi says, “Open the windows but see that your roof is nor blown out, make sure that the foundations are strong.” This philosophy of holding onto own roots has inspired me in my academic, personal and professional life as well. I have tried to contribute to local communities while encouraging participatory design throughout my career.

Rubaiya Nasrin

I am one of the co-founder and community architect at Platform of Community Action and Architecture (POCAA). I have completed my Bachelors in Architecture from BRAC University (2013), and currently studying Masters in Urban and Regional Planning in BUET. After working as a ‘Community Architect’ for BRAC university and ‘Design Architect’ for BAY Developments, I have worked as a Senior Research and Design Associate for Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements for more than five years. My interest for understanding cities and people driven process in architecture has led me to work, visit, volunteer at many places and my journey continues with new explorations and insightful experiences.

All my ventures have been helping me to grow as an urban thinker and I hope to contribute more to all strata of the society through my research and action.

WORKSHOPS/ TRAINING    

2014   Sustainable Practices in Auroville (CEPT Winter School)

2015   Cities and Settlements (Bengal Institute)            

2016   A for Architecture C for City (Bengal Institute)                  

2017   Complex/ity and Landscape Operations (Bengal Institute)

2017   Ando Scholarship Program (Osaka, Japan)

2018   Laurie Baker Center Summer School (LBC, Trivandrum, India)

2019   10 Actions for Urban-Rural Bengal (Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore)

SCHOLARSHIPS / AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS

  1. Participatory certificate for National Debate Competition 2004      
  2. Participatory certificate for Prothom-Alo Madokbirodhi Bitorko Utshab 2004          
  3. Outstanding Achiever for SSC 2005 from “Prothom-Alo” and “Bangladesh Student League”        
  4. Dean’s List for outstanding performance in BRAC University (Fall2009, Fall2010, Summer 2010, Summer 2011, Summer 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013)
  5. Nominated for Noman’s Excellence for Thesis Awards (2013)              
  6. Selected Participant for KVD Forum (Ahmedabad, India) 2014 for Thesis Project.
  7. Awarded Perween Rahman Fellowship for practicing community architecture. (2015)
  8. Journal publication and presentation at Arcasia 2017 conference.
  9. Selected participant for the Ando Scholarship Program, 2017
  10. Article published in Urban Design Collective (2017 December issue, 2020 December issue)