Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) organized the ‘IAB Awards 2025’ to recognize creativity, research, innovation, and excellence in architectural practice and education in Bangladesh. The award ceremony was held on 29 October 2026 at the Grand Ballroom of InterContinental Dhaka. Awards and special commendations were presented across several categories, including architecture, research and publication, interior design, and architectural thesis. Asian Paints Bangladesh Limited joined the event as a partner.

In the Architecture category, ‘Riaz Residence’ won the Individual Dwelling award. The project was designed by DWM4 Architects, with a design team comprising Architects Mahmudul Anwar Riyad, Mamunur Murshed Chowdhury, Shawki Shamim, and Md. Obaidur Rahman Rajib.

In the Interior Design category, ‘Kobita Kunjo’ received an award in the Residential category. Zubayer Hasan Architects designed the project. The design team included Architects, Md. Zubayer Hasan, Tahmida Afroz, Md. Fahad Bin Mostafiz, Hosni Mobarak, Surabhi Rani Sutradhar, H. M. Romanur Rahman, and Sheikh Sakib Rahman.

The ‘Sir Fazle Hasan Abed Knowledge Hub’ received awards in both the Culture & Entertainment and Furniture Design categories. The project was designed by Framework, with the Architects, Md. Faisal Kabir and Anup Kumar Basak, as the design team.

Three works were recognized in the Research & Publication category. In the Research category, Architect Md. Ashikur Rahman Zowarder received the award for his research titled ‘Influence of Preliminary Architectural Design Decisions on Electricity Consumption of Residential Buildings in Dhaka’. In the publication (Book) category, Architect Tanzil Shafique received the award for his book ‘City of Desire’. The Publication (Article) award went to the collaborative research paper ‘Optimizing Daylight Availability and Energy Performance Through Skylight and Atrium Design in a Cultural Institution’, authored by Architect Kazi Fahima Naz, Md. Ashikur Rahman Zowarder, Architect Subrata Chandra Shikder, and Architect Sajia Shoeb.

IAB Thesis Awards recognized three student projects for their creative ideas and research contributions to architectural education. Md. Shafayet Bin Alam Taran from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) secured first place with his thesis titled ‘Palimpsest of Play and Pedagogy: Designing a Child-Centric Madrasa Through Sympathetic Re-use of Bara Katra’. Nabila Nusrat from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) secured second place for her thesis, ‘Reclaiming the Margins: Designing Inclusive Housing for the Horizon Community’. Azmain Armin Pritu from the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) received third place for ‘From Eid to Everyday: Reimagining Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah as a Living Monument’.

Alongside the awards, the jury presented 10 special commendations across four categories in recognition of contributions to architectural design, research, interior design, and architectural education. The jury members and members of the Awards Committee were also acknowledged for their contributions.

IAB Awards provide an important platform to highlight achievements in architecture, research, publication, interior design, and education in Bangladesh. By recognizing the work of architects, researchers, design professionals, and students from different generations, the initiative aims to encourage new ideas and promote a stronger culture of excellence in the country's architectural practice.