Mustapha Khalid

Architect Mustapha Khalid 11 September, 1963 Dhaka Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), more popularly known as Palash, is currently considered as one of the most leading contemporary architects of the country. Bangladesh being a new country with formal practice of Architecture for last fifty years helped the emerging architects to practice architecture with a focus towards modernity. In the 90s with boom in real estate industry of the country, Mustapha Khalid and his team started their practice and through the commitment and innovative thoughts he and his team could create a new trand in the modern architectural practice of Bangladesh.
Early life and Career
Graduated from the Department of Architecture of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Dhaka in 1988 and started his career as a Professional Architect. In 1994 he joined the same department from where he graduated and taught there for approximately five years. He quit teaching in 1998 when he was an Assistant Professor and opened up his own office Vistaara Architects with his colleague SI Mustapha and Md. Foyez Ullah. Being the forerunner in computer aided designing, Vistaara Architects (Pvt.) Limited, could earn popularity and reputation in the contemporary architectural realm of Bangladesh within a very short span of time. After undertaking the mega projects Unique Trade Center and Bashundhara City, Mustapha Khalid and his team did not need to look back.
Other Training
Completed the course on Architecture as fellow held in Osaka, Japan from July 24 to August 12, 1995, organized by Osaka Foundation of International Exchange and funded by Architect Tadao Ando.
Completed training course on “Law for Consultants” organized by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka in 1997.
Completed Course on Architecture under Scholarship of Osaka Foundation of International Exchange in Osaka, Japan 1995.
Participated the Film Appreciation Course organized by Bangladesh Film Archive in 1988
Completed five years Sitar recital course from Chhayanat Sangit Vidyalaya, Dhaka
Informal Training on Terracotta from Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, Dhaka.
Notable works
Architect Mustapha Khalid and Vistaara has quite a few number of commendable projects under their credential. The significant projects include; Bashundhara City, the largest shopping mall in South Asia, Unique trade centre, Abdul Monem Financial District, Rich Center, Peoples Insurance Bhaban, Banglalink Head Office, Grameenphone Corporate Head Quarter, Nafi Tower (AKTel Head Office), Siaam Tower, The Westin Dhaka Hotel, Lab Aid Cardiac Care Hospital, SPL Western Tower, Grand Delvistaa and many more.
Awards
Throughout the career, Architect Mustapha Khalid and his team have been recognized with international and local awards.
Member of Jury Board, Design competition for Islamia Eye Hospital organized jointly by IEH and Institute of Architects Bangladesh in 2008.
Member of Jury Board, Charette Design competition ARC-MARK 2020, organized by American International University, Bangladesh July 2007
Member of Selection Committee of IAB, The Arcasia Award For Architecture 2007/2008
Member of Jury Board, Design competition for East West University Campus organized by Institute of Architects Bangladesh in 2005.
Award Wining Entry, in an international design competition for Grameenphone Corporate Head Office
Focus Countries’ Architect of the Year 2003 Award instituted by JK Cement India
IAB Design Award 1998 for design excellence in Multi Family Housing
First Prize, Design competition for the head office building of Peoples Insurance Co. Limited. The competition was organized by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh in 1998.
Projects included in the book titled “Digital Architecture: Top 50 Designers of the World” published by McGraw Hill, N.Y. in 1999.
Nominator, Bangladesh Chapter, Aga Khan Award for Architecture. 1996-1998 cycle.
Projects included in the book titled “Architecture of the SAARC Nations” published by Media Transasia (I), New Delhi, India 1991
Best Award, Charred Competition, organized by Chetana & Aga Khan Programme for Islamic Architecture & MIT-Harvard University in 1987.
First Prize, Insignia Design, Jalalabad Gas T&D Systems Ltd.
Habibur Rahman Award by the Department of Architecture, BUET for the best performance in design from first year to fourth year.
Second Prize, State Level Science Fair, 1981 held in Calcutta, India organized by Nehru Children’s Museum, India.
Workshop and Seminar
Participated in the Exhibition Titled “Architectural Excellence of Bangladesh” under Sydney Design Festival 2008 sponsored by Power House Museum and jointly organized by Royal Australian Institute of Architects and Bangladeshi Architects in Australia held from 12 August to 18 August 2008 at Sydney, Australia.
International Seminar FUTURE OF THE PAST: Architectural Heritage of Dhaka; held in Dhaka January 13-14, 1996
Participated in the Workshop “ARCHITECTURE IN THE CITY” sponsored by Chetana & Aga Khan Programme for Islamic Architecture and MIT-Harvard held in Dhaka in 1987.
Nominated as Fellow for the First International Environment Innovation Workshop jointly organized by MIT, Dept. of Architecture BUET, Dept. of Architecture, GoB and IAB. (The workshop was postponed due to political disturbance of 1990)
Articles and Publications
impulse of Changes in the city centres of Dhaka: Breakdown in the continuity of Development;Paper presented in the International Seminar Future of the Past: Architectural Heritage of Dhaka
organised by the Dept. of Architecture, BUET; Jan.13-14' 1996, Dhaka.
A journey to Japan: Experience and Impressions An article submitted for the partial fulfillment of the Training Course on Architecture held in Osaka, Japan organized by OFIX, August 1995.
CBDs of Dhaka : Prospect of Low Cost Incremental Revitalization; Article submitted for Protibesh (1 994), the Journal of Department of Architecture, BUET.
Ganaktuli Sweepers’ Housing: and example of self-building; Article published in the EARTH vol. 1 issue 1 Sept-Dec.’94
An Interview with Professor R. E. Vrooman; published in the EARTH vol. 2 Issue 1, Jan.-Mar.'95.
The Grameen Bank Housing Programme: Need for an Evaluation in the Light of Its Universalized ‘Concern’ Against Universalised ‘Solution’; A term paper submitted for the partial fulfillment of the A. Arch. degree.
Reading the Palimpsest: an evaluative revelation of the philosophies of Etienne Louise Boulee and Louis I. Kahn; A term paper submitted for the partial fulfillment of the A. Arch. degree.
The Safety and Security: A study on the Physical Conditions of Garment Industries in Bangladesh; A term paper submitted for the partial fulfillment of the M. Arch. Degree.
Professional Affiliation
Architect Mustapha Khalid is a member of Institute of Architects Bangladesh, International Associate Member of AIA and a member of Tall Building Council (CTBUH).
Though Mustapha Khalid is an architect by profession, he is a passionate Painter as well, who has held two solo and many group painting exhibitions.

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