PRFDHR Colloquium: Living in Impermanence, Rizvi Hassan

Life in a refugee camp is often seen as an impermanent thing, where in reality it actually becomes a big part of a refugee’s life. Inclusive and healthy environment in a camp is thus very important for the well-being of both the displaced and host communities. From 2018 to 2022, working with the Rohingya refugees as well as the surrounding Bangladeshi hosting communities in Ukhiya-Teknaf area, has never been about one particular space, but about collaborating together in a crisis situation to overcome the unexpected challenges over time.

Rizvi Hassan is a Bangladeshi architect who graduated as B.Arch from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2017. Since the beginning of his practice, he has been exploring various roles of a design professional in unconventional fields. He has worked in Jhenaidah, Cox’s Bazar, Ukhiya & Teknaf for various Bangladeshi communities and Rohingya refugees. Observation, materiality, environment and learning from each other have been the key in his design process that tries to reflect on the construction and spaces as well.

He has been working with IOM-UN Migration, ICRC, Oxfam, NGO Forum, BRAC and other organizations. Among his recent works- Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre, Health Facility for Konapara, Hindupara Community Center, Safe Space for Women & Girls, and Bhalukiya Community Centre - are notable. For his and his team’s contribution, UN-OCHA has declared them as real-life heroes in 2020. They also have been recognized by The Guardian in 2020 and have won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2022.