At the core of Dhaka, a school rises boldly, capturing attention not with shiny glass towers or flashy facades but with a rhythm of bricks, greenery, and thoughtfully arranged spaces that invite learning at every corner.
The Aga Khan Academy in Bashundhara stands as an example of architecture that balances history, sustainability, and modern education.
It is a space where classrooms, courtyards, and open grounds come together to create a campus that feels alive.
The project is a collaboration between SHATOTTO architecture for green living and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, guided by principal architects Prof. Rafiq Azam (FIAB) and Peter Clegg. SHATOTTO’s design team, including Sabrin Zinat Rahman, Kaiser Rabbani, Arafat Sarker, Sonia, Redwan, Fayez, Aliza, and Shylin Islam, worked alongside FCBStudios’ Peter Clegg, Ian Taylor, Felix Hobson, Rachel Sayers, and Jo Gimenez to shape a campus that celebrates both tradition and innovation. On-site execution was overseen by resident architect Edrish Bhuiyan Almas, while structural support was provided by AKT-II and TDM. MEP systems were handled by Max Fordham and EMCS, and landscape design was a joint effort by SHATOTTO and Ghorami.Jon. Brickwork, a signature element of the campus, was guided by consultants Mahmudul Hasan Nahid and Mehedi Hasan Prince, and construction was executed by Charuta Private Limited and ABC Construction.
The campus spreads across 74,150 square meters, a sizeable site in one of Dhaka’s busiest areas. The challenge was clear: to create a space that feels open, green, and connected while responding to the city’s dense fabric and tropical climate. The solution relied on three key strategies: the thoughtful use of courtyards, the integration of greenery, and climate-responsive brick design. From the outset, the architects sought to draw inspiration from history.
It is a space where classrooms, courtyards, and open grounds come together to create a campus that feels alive.
The project is a collaboration between SHATOTTO architecture for green living and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, guided by principal architects Prof. Rafiq Azam (FIAB) and Peter Clegg. SHATOTTO’s design team, including Sabrin Zinat Rahman, Kaiser Rabbani, Arafat Sarker, Sonia, Redwan, Fayez, Aliza, and Shylin Islam, worked alongside FCBStudios’ Peter Clegg, Ian Taylor, Felix Hobson, Rachel Sayers, and Jo Gimenez to shape a campus that celebrates both tradition and innovation. On-site execution was overseen by resident architect Edrish Bhuiyan Almas, while structural support was provided by AKT-II and TDM. MEP systems were handled by Max Fordham and EMCS, and landscape design was a joint effort by SHATOTTO and Ghorami.Jon. Brickwork, a signature element of the campus, was guided by consultants Mahmudul Hasan Nahid and Mehedi Hasan Prince, and construction was executed by Charuta Private Limited and ABC Construction.
The campus spreads across 74,150 square meters, a sizeable site in one of Dhaka’s busiest areas. The challenge was clear: to create a space that feels open, green, and connected while responding to the city’s dense fabric and tropical climate. The solution relied on three key strategies: the thoughtful use of courtyards, the integration of greenery, and climate-responsive brick design. From the outset, the architects sought to draw inspiration from history.
From the outset, the architects sought to draw inspiration from history. The Aga Khan Academy references the ancient Buddhist universities known as Mahaviharas, which once dotted Bengal.
These monasteries were celebrated for their craftsmanship, spatial organization, and poetic use of brick.
“Spaces must speak both history and life,”
says Prof. Rafiq Azam, summarizing the philosophy behind the academy’s design. At the campus center is the Maidan, the heart of school life, surrounded by age-specific courtyards. The senior courtyard, shaded with trees, supports group learning, while the minimalist assembly courtyard features four trees inspired by Dhaka’s legendary Dhaak trees. Together, these spaces encourage movement, interaction, and a connection with nature. Brick is a defining feature of the academy.
Inspired by Mahaviharas such as Paharpur and Mainamati, the campus celebrates local brick craftsmanship while interpreting it in a modern context.
Brick screens, patterns, and bonds are carefully designed to regulate airflow, filter sunlight, and maintain thermal comfort. Courtyards, walkways, and outdoor seating areas are paved with bricks, which are durable under heavy foot traffic and support natural drainage. Stepped exterior walls provide shade for seating areas while the mortar detailing emphasizes horizontal lines, recalling historic architectural techniques.
Social spaces shape the campus, with amphitheaters and seating along the Maidan for informal interaction. The amphitheater encloses a sand pit that holds rainwater, connecting students with nature. As Peter Clegg notes, the school belongs to the students, fostering freedom and agency. The interiors emphasize comfort and function, with classrooms of varied sizes for all age groups, equipped with modern teaching tools. Large windows and canopied walkways bring in natural light while keeping spaces cool. The campus also includes labs, a library, activity facilities, offices, and residential quarters, all arranged around the Maidan for easy movement and visibility. Edrish Bhuiyan Almas, the resident architect, ensured that design details were executed accurately on-site. Landscape architects SHATOTTO and Ghorami.Jon created planted courtyards, rooftop gardens, and green walkways that support biodiversity and encourage outdoor exploration. Every planted area, tree, and green patch was chosen to improve air quality, reduce heat, and provide calm spaces for learning and reflection.
The campus is intentionally designed to bridge history and modernity.
Courtyards, green roofs, and brick detailing reference centuries-old building traditions, while classrooms, labs, and IT facilities prepare students for the demands of contemporary education.
The role of brick is both functional and symbolic. The patterns and screen walls not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also improve airflow, reduce heat, and create visually engaging thresholds between indoor and outdoor spaces. Bricks are locally manufactured, supporting traditional skills and craft. The brick flooring absorbs less heat during summer and allows water to drain effectively, addressing the challenge of surface runoff during monsoon rains. The Maidan and surrounding courtyards encourage social learning, reflecting a belief that education extends beyond formal classrooms.
Architect Sabrin Zinat Rahman emphasizes, “Our goal was to create a space that celebrates learning as a living experience.” This approach guided every design decision, from the layout of courtyards to the selection of materials, and the integration of greenery into daily life. The academy also honors Dhaka’s cultural and environmental context. The use of red bricks, the open courtyards, and the planted roofs all respond to the tropical climate, ensuring comfort and sustainability. Large windows and canopies reduce reliance on artificial cooling while maximizing daylight, creating energy-efficient and visually appealing learning spaces.
Structural and engineering consultants ensured that the ambitious design could withstand environmental and usage challenges. Brick consultants Mahmudul Hasan Nahid and Mehedi Hasan Prince played a crucial role in guiding the craftsmanship, making sure every pattern and screen respected local traditions while meeting modern performance standards. Contractors Charuta Private Limited and ABC Construction executed the construction with precision, coordinating closely with architects and consultants to maintain design intent. The Aga Khan Academy is more than a school. It is a living community where architecture, landscape, and learning converge. The careful arrangement of courtyards and social spaces allows students to experience a variety of learning environments—from formal lessons in classrooms to outdoor discussions under trees. The campus promotes curiosity, collaboration, and engagement with nature, all while reflecting local history and craft
The choice of materials, particularly brick, tells a story of sustainability and cultural respect.
Local bricks are not only durable and heat-resistant but also provide a tactile connection to history. The brick patterning and jali screens filter sunlight, create shaded thresholds, and maintain comfort in the tropical climate. Brick floors and walls withstand heavy foot traffic and allow water drainage, showing that functional design and aesthetics can work together seamlessly.
Beyond the academic and social spaces, the academy includes residential quarters, ensuring that students and staff can live on campus in comfort. This integration of residential life, academic spaces, and outdoor learning areas strengthens community and fosters a holistic approach to education.
The Aga Khan Academy stands as a model for educational architecture in Dhaka. It demonstrates how local materials, cultural history, and climate-sensitive design can combine with modern educational infrastructure to create a campus that is functional, sustainable, and inspiring. The project reflects the vision and collaboration of many individuals, from principal architects Prof. Rafiq Azam and Peter Clegg to the design teams of SHATOTTO and FCBStudios, consultants, and contractors.
The academy’s design philosophy is clear. Learning is not confined to classrooms. It happens in courtyards, under trees, along brick-lined pathways, and even in moments of interaction with rainwater in the amphitheatre. Architecture supports education by providing spaces that are flexible, sustainable, and deeply connected to context. “Architecture is about creating thresholds, moments where the outside and inside meet,” says Peter Clegg, highlighting the role of courtyards and transitional spaces in the academy.
From the intricate brickwork to the open Maidan, from the planted courtyards to the rooftop gardens, every detail reflects a careful consideration of culture, climate, and community. It is a school that encourages students to learn not only from books but also from their surroundings, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and respect for nature. The design of the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka was honoured with the Best ‘Future Education’ Project award at the World Architecture Festival 2017, held from 15 to 17 November in Berlin, Germany. The recognition highlights not only the school’s exceptional architectural design but also its commitment to creating a positive social impact, reflecting the mission and values of the Aga Khan Academies and the broader Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The Academies aim to nurture future leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive meaningful development within their own societies..Construction of the academy began in 2018, with the first classes scheduled to start in 2020. Following the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, the academy prepares students to thrive in an internationally competitive environment while maintaining strong connections to their own language, literature, history, and heritage.
Community engagement is one of the most important pillars of the Aga Khan Academy’s educational philosophy. From the earliest stages of planning, the curriculum has emphasized not just academic excellence but also developing students who are aware of and connected to the world around them. Service-learning projects are at the center of this approach, allowing students to step outside the classroom and interact directly with the communities surrounding the campus. By participating in these projects, students gain firsthand insight into the social, economic, and environmental challenges their neighbours face.
These experiences are more than just exercises in empathy. They encourage students to think critically about real-world problems and to develop solutions that are socially responsible, contextually appropriate, and practical. For example, students might collaborate with local organizations to address issues such as water management, literacy programs, or environmental awareness initiatives. Each project is designed to encourage teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, helping students build a strong sense of civic responsibility while developing leadership skills that extend far beyond the walls of the school.
The Aga Khan Academy’s focus on community is seamlessly integrated with its physical environment. The campus itself encourages interaction, collaboration, and reflection. Courtyards, amphitheaters, and planted gardens are carefully designed to act as extensions of the classroom, providing spaces for informal learning, discussion, and engagement. Outdoor areas allow students to observe and experience natural processes, whether it is water collecting in the sand pit during a rainfall or the gradual growth of rooftop gardens. These experiences connect students to the rhythms of the natural world, reinforcing lessons about sustainability, ecology, and environmental stewardship.
The academy is a place to live, explore, and grow. Every element of the campus is intentionally designed to support holistic education. Learning does not stop at textbooks and lectures; it is reinforced through the environment itself. Brick pathways, shaded walkways, and open courtyards create a rhythm of movement and discovery, encouraging students to wander, gather, and explore ideas in multiple settings. Large windows, naturally ventilated classrooms, and thoughtful orientation of buildings ensure that indoor learning spaces are comfortable, bright, and conducive to focus, while still maintaining a constant connection to the outdoors.
The interplay between architecture and education is a defining feature of the Aga Khan Academy. Buildings are not simply containers for classrooms; they are active participants in the learning process. The use of locally manufactured bricks, traditional brick patterns, and jali screens serves a dual purpose: they connect students to the rich architectural history of Bengal and create functional solutions for ventilation, sunlight management, and heat reduction. Courtyards and amphitheaters allow students to gather and collaborate, while also acting as outdoor laboratories for lessons in physics, biology, and social studies. The academy demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can enhance the educational experience, shaping behaviour, facilitating interaction, and creating a sense of belonging.
Sustainability is another guiding principle woven into every aspect of the campus. From green rooftops to strategically planted trees, from natural ventilation to the use of durable, heat-absorbing brick floors, the academy demonstrates a careful response to Dhaka’s tropical climate. These design choices are not just about aesthetics; they provide functional, long-term solutions to environmental challenges. Water drainage systems are integrated into courtyards and outdoor spaces to reduce runoff and flooding. Green rooftops reduce heat absorption and improve air quality. Planted trees offer shade, promote biodiversity, and provide quiet corners for study and reflection. In this way, the academy teaches sustainability not only as a subject but as a lived experience, encouraging students to think about how their actions affect the environment around them.
The Aga Khan Academy’s educational approach is equally forward-thinking. It emphasizes the development of pluralistic, socially conscious leaders who are grounded in Bangladeshi culture yet connected to the broader global community. Through a curriculum based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, students learn to balance academic rigour with cultural awareness and practical problem-solving skills. They are encouraged to explore their language, literature, history, and heritage while gaining knowledge and skills that allow them to participate confidently on a global stage. Bilingual education in English and Bangla ensures that students remain deeply connected to their roots while being equipped to engage internationally.
Service learning is closely tied to this philosophy. By actively engaging with their communities, students develop a sense of empathy, responsibility, and initiative. They learn to observe, analyse, and propose solutions that are both innovative and grounded in local realities. This hands-on approach ensures that students understand that leadership is not only about authority but about responsibility, collaboration, and the capacity to create positive change.
The campus itself reflects this educational mission in its design. Social spaces, such as courtyards, benches, and amphitheaters, encourage interaction among students of different ages and backgrounds. The Maidan, the large central open space, is surrounded by peripheral courtyards that support age-specific programs. The senior courtyard, shaded by planted trees, encourages group activities and discussions. The assembly courtyard, intentionally minimal except for four Dhaka-inspired Dhaak trees, offers space for reflection, outdoor learning, and community gatherings.
The Aga Khan Academy also bridges the past and the future through its architecture. Drawing inspiration from ancient Mahaviharas, the campus celebrates centuries-old brick craftsmanship while integrating modern educational needs. Jali screens, patterned brickwork, and stepped walls all reference historical precedents while serving practical purposes, such as regulating sunlight, guiding airflow, and providing shaded seating areas. This combination of tradition and innovation creates a learning environment that is both visually rich and functionally effective.
Beyond academic and social learning, the campus emphasizes experiential learning through nature. Students are encouraged to explore planted rooftops, observe seasonal changes, and engage with elements like rainwater in the amphitheatre’s sand pit. Such experiences foster curiosity, creativity, and respect for the environment, making nature itself a teacher. This integration of architecture, landscape, and curriculum ensures that learning extends beyond books into daily life and experience.
The Aga Khan Academy is more than a school; it is a living, breathing community. Classrooms, administrative spaces, IT labs, libraries, and residential quarters are all arranged around the Maidan, creating a campus that supports movement, interaction, and community cohesion.
By blending tradition, sustainability, and modern design, the Aga Khan Academy serves as a blueprint for the future of education. It demonstrates that schools can be more than classrooms; they can be communities, green spaces, and architectural narratives built in brick. The academy honors the past through its careful attention to local craft, historical inspiration, and culturally meaningful design.
In every sense, the Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka represents a new vision for education, one where architecture, nature, and learning intersect. It shows that thoughtful design can nurture curiosity, foster community, and provide students with experiences that are as rich, diverse, and inspiring as the curriculum itself.
