Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury was born in Dhaka, the son of a civil engineer, growing up in Bangladesh and the Middle East before graduating in architecture from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1995. In 2006, he attended the Glenn Murcutt Master Class in Sydney. After working with architect Uttam Kumar Saha, he established the practice URABANA in partnership in 1995 and from 2004 has continued as the sole principal of the firm. Kashef Chowdhury has a studio-based practice whose works find root in history with strong emphasis on climate, materials and context − both natural and human. Projects in the studio are given extended time for research so as to reach a level of innovation and original expression. Works range from conversion of ships and low cost raised settlements in chars to training centres, mosques, art galleries, museums, residences and multi-family housing to corporate head offices. www.kashefchowdhury-urbana.com