Year of Completion: 2016

Location: Road 11 Block D, Banani,Dhaka 1213 

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Sharara Khan, Abdul Kadir, Khaled Saifullah

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio, N K Murtoza

Project Type: Community Architecture

Location: Washpur, Bosila 

Project Status: Built 

Year of Completion: 2018

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Ruhul Abdin, Zaqaria Prince, Tarannum Nibir, Farasha Zaman, Sharara Khan, Abdul Kadir, Khalid Saifullah

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Project Type: Play, Community, environmental Architecture

Location: Washpur, Bosila 
Project Status: Built 
Year of Completion: 2019
Design & planning team:
Kazi Arefin, Sadiqul Islam Shehab, Ruhul Abdin, Tarannum Nibir , Sharara Khan, Khalid Saifullah, Zaqaria Prince, Mahmuda Alam, Abdul Kadir, Farasha Zaman.   CADSE & Charrettes participants students: Jarin Tasnim Khan, Shajib Borman, Md. Mahir Labib Chowdhury Maahi, Najmush Shaker, Ahnaf Akif, Duity Aroni Chakraborty, Sadia Afrin, Debashish Roy, Akif Akash, Shihab Mohammad Shibly, Ashfak Ullah, Chowdhury, Sayem Anwar Tuhin, Nymus Salam Reshad

Drawings and post production: 

Maisha Marzan Momo, Sadiqul Islam Shehab, Khalid Saifullah

Bamboo Artisan:

Md. Abdul Malek Badshah, Md. Sultan Ahmed, Saiyed Abdul Mannan, Md. Ilias, Md. Shohag Miya, Md. Monir Sarkar, Md. Jamal Miya, Md. Jasim Fakir, Md. Masud

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Year of Completion: 

Location: 

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Sadiqul Islam Shehab, Khaled Saifullah, Abdul Kadir, Mahmuda Alam, Sharara Khan, Maisha Marzan Momo

Project Type: Sports Complex

Project Status: Unbuilt 

Year of Completion: 

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Sadiqul Islam, Khaled Saifullah, Abdul kadir

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Project Type:  

Project Status: Unbuilt 

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Ruhul Abdin

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Year of Completion: 2022

Location: Khanpur, Narayanganj

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Khaled Saifullah, Shadiqul Islam Shehab, Mahmuda Alam, Abdul Kadir

This project builds on the existing relationship that the historical Mohsin Club has with the Khanpur community in Narayanganj. This is a multifunctional public project on a small city corporation land/public land, to test a model where club building can play a role as a local youth centre, community space. The design focused on developing a program beyond sports related activities such as library, science centre, senior citizens space, newspaper reading etc. Along with accessible or visually connected levels to ensure safe and secured space along with intergenerational engagement. Outside of the club, there is a multipurpose field to be used as a walking and running track, climbing wall, outdoor gym.

Project Type: Training Centre

Project Status: Unbuilt 

Year of Completion: Proposal

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Tahmidur Rahman, Ryan Samiul Haque

Visualization: Kazi Arefin, Asif Imteaz

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Critical Architecture, Design and Sustainable Environments (CADSE) is a programme developed by Paraa, which is structured around a practical case study, resulting in realized projects through the student’s time on the programme. These case studies focus on a live project, placing learning through doing, at the center.

This year, the school focuses on Korail-City of Culture, a project by Paraa and Goethe-institute, Bangladesh, working on building an inclusive playspace and cultural hub for people of Korail, by the people of Korail. As a pragmatic and critical reflexive program, it enables students to understand how to develop methods and tools and apply them directly in relation to design, architecture and wider environmental concerns in Bangladesh.

'Korail- City of Culture' is an initiative in sustainable urban development, supported by the Creative Economy Programme of the Federal Foreign Office (Germany), in conjunction with the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, Paraa, and German partner, Floating University Berlin. The project endeavors to foster sustainable cultural practices among the residents of Korail, enriching global and local discourse on urban development.

During the CADSE Winter School, students had the unique opportunity to learn and immerse themselves in the Korail community, as most classes were held right there. The programme combined theoretical learning with hands-on experiences, featuring workshops and activities in collaboration with Korail’s residents. Some of the participants themselves were from Korail, adding a deeply local perspective to the process.

The Korail youth team, who have been working alongside Paraa to create a cultural community space for Korail, played a vital role in offering deeper insights and understanding of the community’s needs. Theoretical classes covered ethics, design principles, and community values, while practical workshops encouraged students to engage directly with different community groups.

As part of the journey, students created zines, participated in photo walks, and designed workshops that reflected their learning and collaboration. The Snapshot exhibition was a mid-course showcase of their photo walks, offering a visual reflection of their understanding of Korail. 

The work of the CADSE Winter School participants has finally come to life in an exhibition titled Hoichoi(PUT LINK HERE). This exhibition marks the culmination of months of research, exploration, and collaboration with the Korail community. Through their time spent connecting with the people of Korail, the students have crafted ideas and projects that reflect the community’s spirit and resilience. Hoichoi offers a glimpse into the exciting work being developed, providing a preview of the concepts and visions that will unfold at the grand festival in Korail in December 2024.

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS:
Amina Rahman Raisa, Anamul Haque Shagor, Asma Akter, Esrat Jahan Onty, Farah Naz Nusrat, Farhana Islam, Farzana Faiza, Hasan, Hasib Sarowar, Imran Ahmed, Imran Bin Abdul Khalique, Jony Akter, Md. Rafiqul Islam, Monika Akter, Nujhat Jahan Khan, Ramisa Tasnim, Rimi Akter, Shaluk Islam, Shoheli Akter, Taorem Sananu.

CADSE facilitators: 

Kazi Arefin, Ruhul Abdin, Tarannum Nibir, Ayesha Rahman Chowdhury, Zaqiul Deep, Anis Rahman (Ace), Bareesh Chowdhury, Prof. Afsana Haque, Prof. Musleh Hasan Uddin, Puer Deorum, Minaal Choudhury, Samina Yasmin, Diana Meriline Chowdhury, Saidur Rahman

Year of Completion: 2024

Location: Korail, Dhaka

Project Coordinators: Kazi Arefin, Tarannum Nibir, Ruhul Abdin, Fahim Bin Hamid, Ayesha Rahman Chowdhury

Architectural design team: Kazi Arefin, A S M Khaled Saifullah, Abdul Kadir, Farhin Iqbal, S M Kaikobad, Saira Jannat

Engineering and Construction Team:  Construction Manager: Eng. Rabindranath Sarkar, Structural Engineer: Eng. Masrur Kabir, Gravity Engineers

Paraa Project team: Taranum Nibir, Ruhul Abdin, Kazi Arefin, Abdul Kadir, Khaled Saifullah, Rabindra Nath Sarker, Ayesha Rahman Chowdhury, Farhin Iqbal, S M Kaikobad, Sharara Khan, Saira Jannat, Fahim Bin, Hamid, Mahbub Ratan, Fahim, Habibur Rahman, Manik Das, Nasib Ahsan, Adit Dewan,

Korail Youth Team: Shaluk, Md. Hasan, Anamul Haque, Riyadh, Rubaiyda Jahan Asma, Monika Akter, Jony Akter, Munia Akther, Robiul, Md. Najmul Hossain, Md. Rashed, Mosammot Popi Akter, Ria Akter, Moriom, Md. Neser Uddin, Md. Rashed Mia, Md. Rubel, Rafiq

Machan is a new permanent community and cultural space emerging from the Korail-City of Culture project, dedicated to social, cultural and creative activities in Korail, the largest low-income informal settlement in Dhaka. 'Korail- City of Culture' is an initiative in sustainable urban development, supported by the Creative Economy Programme of the Federal Foreign Office (Germany), in conjunction with the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, Paraa, and German partner, Floating e.V. The project endeavors to foster sustainable cultural practices among the residents of Korail, enriching global and local discourse on urban development.

Year of Completion: 2025

Location: Tejgaon-Gulshan Link Road

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Abdul Kadir

Year of Completion: 2015

Location: Maniknagar Link Road, Maniknagar, Dhaka

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Tahmid Islam, Ruhul Abdin, Rayed Yusuf

On a small plot of land secured from the Dhaka South City Corporation (1500-sft) there was an ambition to create: An emergency night time shelter.

Space for cooking, Space for bathing, toilet and locker facilities, Space supporting day care and primary education facility for 30 children allowing the mothers to pursue paid work, health care comer where basic treatments and services can be provided, space for counselling and awareness of beneficiaries on monetary savings and other bank transactions, on health and hygiene and more, space for training recipients, engaging them in sustainable professions that help in livelihood development, space for leisure activities and a public toilet.

A participatory led design process was used to help develop the program for the centre, along with elements of the building's façade. The user's response led to a series of very specific design interventions centred around dignity -

1. Extra bathrooms - for children to bath, for women to use separately, for young adolescents to use separately and a completely separate public toilet component.

2. Open space to play hangout/relax

3. Space for washing/cooking and preparing meals to take home

4. A separate training space for staff and guests that is multipurpose.

The centre can be seen both by the city and the foundation as an important model to support, with purpose built centres, the development of the vulnerable urban poor.

Year of Completion: 

Location: S K Center, TB Gate Rd, Dhaka 

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin

Chol is a BOLD Online-only sustainable fashion brand.

Paraa’s approach to design is rooted in meaningful collaboration with people. Through years of working with artisans—from Tangail’s rural craftspeople to Mirpur’s Benarasi weavers and Puran Dhaka’s folk painters—Paraa has learned the vital role of arts, crafts, and culture in shaping communities. Chol builds on this journey: a platform where designers and artisans come together to move beyond fast fashion, preserving and evolving cultural practices through innovation, sustainability, and shared creativity.

Chol Launch Event: A Celebration of Craft, Collaboration, and Courage

On Friday, 20th April, despite the rain, we launched Chol — a bold new online-only sustainable fashion platform — with an unforgettable fashion performance at Aloki. Chol was born from years of Paraa’s research and collaboration with artisans across Bangladesh, and represents a new way of thinking about fashion: one rooted in craft, culture, and care for the environment.

The launch was a true celebration of community — featuring stunning performances directed by Rose and Nick from LAL, vibrant garments co-created by designers and artisans, and the tireless support of an incredible team of volunteers, models, and makers.

Chol dares to reimagine fashion beyond fast trends, connecting design, art, lived experiences, and sustainability into one powerful platform. Thank you to everyone who made this evening so magical.

Credit list:

Designer: Shama Kun

Artisans: Women artisans from Korail (Saleha apa and her team, Bokuli Apa and her team)

Tailor: Habibur Rahman.

Photo credit: Fayed Masud Khan , Tarannum Nibir

For the fashion performance music and direction and some of the vocals: Rose and Nick, LAL @lalforest .

Concept and idea: Jordan Aswad with support from Toufikul Emon.

The assistants who volunteered to help backstage; Sabiha Jahan Jineya, Samsun Naher Munni, Israt Jahan Chaity, Zarin Tasnim Bristy,Naima Binte Fasiuddin,Nazia Akter Jemi, Pariub Khan Arpan and Tasmia Akter Priyanka The team involved in the execution of the space; Sadiqul Islam Shehab,Kazi Arefin, Abdul Kadir, ASM Khaled Saifullah, Aminul Islam, Ashik Chandra Karmakar, Md Jahangir, G.M. Saad

Models: Jordan Aswad, Diana Monica Mrong,Hiba Saquib, Tabassum Ali Tabir, Alveera Mannaf Rahman Neeta,Adeeba Ahsan Amina, Hiba Saquib,Tanjina Akhter Tania, Abar Shadman Arnab, Nandini Ahmed, Toufikul Emon, Umme Habiba and Trisha Teresa Dango Artisans; Bokuli,Saleha Begum, Rokhsana, Morsheda,Rowshan Ara, Khadija, Sheuly, Sultana, Kohinoor and Khadija.

Documentary Team; Tarannum Ali Nibir, Zaqiul Deep, Maruf Arefin Mim, with special thanks to Rashel Hasnat Reza, Fayed Masud Khan 

Food Sponsor: Chachi’s Chawk Mask Sponsor: Mamunur Rahman, Ella Pads

Paraa/Chol Team; Kazi Arefin, Ruhul Abdin, Sharara Khan, Shama Kun, Mozlumunnahar Poroshmoni, Farzana Rahman Borsha, Sadiqul Islam shehab,Tarannum Ali Nibir, Zaqaria Prince, Nusrat Alam Bijoya, Dipak Bhowmik, Habibur Rahman, Master Alom, Abdul Kadir, ASM Khaled Saifullah 

Venue: Thanks to Fahad of Aloki

Bangladeshi women and trans people, and even men face different kinds of harassment in the public realm. This has sadly become a very common thing in Bangladesh, especially due to the kinds of clothes they wear. The skills, energy and capacity to cope with these obvious male gazes and judgmental looks are something Bangladeshi women have had to develop, some cope, many do not! The situation is everywhere, from the villages, to small towns to the big city, and often erupts in nasty judgements that are annoying yet perceived to be quite normal. At times, these have ended in violence against women and trans people, with quite limited access to justice.  

Paraa's sustainable ethical fashion platform: Chol has started this campaign to address the issue, set in an alternative reality, where women and trans people can travel, commute freely and just be themselves in public. It’s often a common thing for women to think twice about their attire before stepping out into the public realm. Still many are brave enough to be themselves no matter what. But this simple thing should not be a struggle. We want to break the practice of judgemental gazing and motivate people to take this matter more seriously and start changing from within.

Credits: 

Concept: Tarannum Nibir, Paraa

Questions, Camera and Direction: Tarannum Nibir

Models: Mo Hla Yee, Tasnuva Anan, Joya Sikder, Tahsin Tamanna Nodee, Diana Monica, Samrita Chanda, Safia Akhter

The Playspace is a result of Paraa’s first short course, CADSE; Critical Architecture, Design and Sustainable Environment, a new short course designed to address the need for widened critical education in the built environment.  

Paraa’s approach to design education is focused on learning through doing, a practical learning programme structured to address societal issues along with the development of the student in leadership, management and design. The live project was to design and build a playspace to be inclusive and accessible for all, especially those children whom are differently abled, residing at the LEEDO Peace Home.

The play space will exist for two years, with a series of innovative programmes to accompany it over the year.

Fashion performance video of Chol x Shama Kun's kantha collection in a disused warehouse in Dhaka by Paraa. 

Music by LAL. ( www.lalforest.com )

Paraa, in collaboration with Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bangladesh conducted a 6-month long exploratory research in Dhaka North city to explore the ongoing informal urban agriculture practices among the poor (slum and camp dwellers). This film is an outcome of that research intended to disseminate across the public domain. 

Paraa urban research team led by Zaqaria Prince conducted the research while the film/visual research team led by Tarannum Nibir directed the film with technical assistance from Fayed Masud Khan.

Paraa acknowledges contributions from all the participants of this film. 

Project Type: 

Project Status: Unbuilt 

Year of Completion: 

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Project Type: Interior Design

Location: 

Project Status: Unbuilt 

Year of Completion: 

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Project Type: 

Location: 

Project Status: Unbuilt 

Year of Completion: 

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Project Type: Community Architecture

Location: 

Project Status: Built 

Year of Completion: 2023

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin, Saira Jannat, Ruhul Abdin, A S M Khaled Saifullah, Abdul Kadir, Badshah Bhai And team, Fariba Islam, Garance, Rabindranath Sarkar

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

Project Type: 

Project Status: Built 

Year of Completion:

Design Credits: Kazi Arefin

Photo Credits: Paraa Studio

FASHION ART MUSIC

Paraa's first Chol (www.chol.paraa.org.uk) collaboration with fashion designer Shama Kun. This is an experimental, fashion music video , directed by Tarannum Nibir, with models from diverse backgrounds in Dhaka Bangladesh.

 The full video was shot in Begumbazar, Puran Dhaka in one morning. The music is by the amazing Lal ( Rose and Nick ) from Toronto. 

Team : 

Camera : Zaquil Deep, Tarannum Nibir, Maruf Mim

Edit: Tarannum Nibir, Sadequl Shehab, Ruhul Abdin. 

Models: Jordan, Tabassum, Adeeba, Diana, Habiba, Tania

SHALA_Neighbourhood Art Space invites applications for Creative Fellowships designed to collaboratively explore and reimagine the changing urban neighbourhood of the Tejgaon Industrial Areas. As a creative practitioner, artist, or researcher passionate about exploring urban dynamics and community connections, SHALA offers a space and opportunity to collectively build a meaningful future that is climate resilient. 

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT PROGRAM HERE:

To download the Event Guide & Festival Map click here

ইভেন্ট গাইড ও ফেস্টিভ্যাল ম্যাপ ডাউনলোড করতে এখানে ক্লিক করুন

SIGN UP FOR WORKSHOPS HERE: Workshop Sign up link

Moja-Kori, translating to “Let’s Have Fun”, is set to be one of the most exciting festivals of the year, taking place on December 6, 7, 13 & 14, 2024 across multiple sites in Korail, Dhaka, with the  new public cultural space, Machan, at Ershad Maath of Korail, as the central venue. The festival is part of the Korail-City of Culture project funded by the Creative Economy Programme of the Federal Foreign Office in Germany, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, its local partner Paraa and international partner Floating e.V. The festival will explore the intersections of design, arts, climate change, accessibility, and sustainability through installations, workshops, performances, and discussions led by renowned local and international artists and designers.

The exhibition and program sites are not conventional gallery spaces but busy bazaar streets, rickshaw garages, community spaces, lakeside paths, waterbody or lake in Korail.

The ‘Treasure Hunt’ Density challenge is an exciting way to understand and experience the city organised by the Travellers of Bangladesh and Escapade team. The Korail edition is filled with clues, tasks and games throughout Korail in a competitive way! To participate - register as groups of three. 

There are prizes to be won!

THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS 10TH DECEMBER 11: 59 PM BST TIME. ( We may need to restrict the number of groups and an early deadline depending on the responses).

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION LINK 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 10th December 2024

Open Call deadline extended to 1 November

This is an open call for artists / creatives / researchers/ artist-led initiative to engage with the MOJA KORI festival. This provides opportunities for all creative art practitioners ( fine arts, film, visual, workshop, public engagement, design, performance, music, research and beyond ) to submit their already produced art work or a proposal to produce or present during the Moja Kori Festival.

The jury has announced the winners of the Korail Design Festival’s architectural idea generation competition! Congratulations to the talented participants who showcased innovative visions for Korail's future in 2100

Over the years, the Paraa team have worked on many projects that have required graphic design work. Many of these are in the form of posters - be it for events, exhibitions, workshops, design competitions etc. This is a small selection of the graphic design work the studio has produced. 

information coming soon

Hoichoi takes you on a journey to understand Korail Culture as you interact with diverse forms of expressions emerging from the students at CADSE (Critical Architecture Design Sustainable Environments), the 2024 Winter School developed by Paraa. The exhibition presents explorations and interactions of professionals and Korail youth residents leading to this collaborative amalgamation capturing a hot pot of migrated traditions and new beliefs formed in an urban fabric. 

You are invited to the closing event of the Hoichoi Exhibition, showcasing projects developed by the participants of the 2024 CADSE Winter School programmed by Paraa, where participants focused on the ongoing project- “Korail-City Of Culture”.

Open Call: Korail Residency 2024