Sadia Sharmin
Architect & Researcher
Sadia is a champion for co-creative processes, creative advocacy, and collective knowledge production.
Sadia's interdisciplinary approach fosters connections and engages diverse stakeholders in bringing ideas to life. She has extensive experience in collaborating with varied communities within multicultural settings, which equips her to conceive site-specific, innovative interventions. Her research focuses on exploring architecture's role in community building, and in crafting narratives of care and anticipation.
Project
Project Lighthouse
A Creative Learning Space for Children
Architects: Sadia Sharmin and Imran Hasan. Year of Completion: 2021
Location: Village—Haidhankhali, Union—Gujadia, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh
Project Lighthouse is a creative learning hub located in a remote village within the Kishoreganj district of Bangladesh. It serves as an inspiration for learning, aiming to foster education, environmental conservation, creative expression, community development, and leadership training for the village's adolescents.
The project, a collaborative effort between the community and external partners, was conceived with the goal of empowering the village children. The developmental stages of Project Lighthouse were shaped through a series of participatory workshops with children and focus group discussions with community members to ensure alignment with the local needs and aspirations. These participatory sessions not only informed the design process but also facilitated dialogue, fostering stronger bonds between the project and the community it serves. A core principle of Project Lighthouse is the preservation of local culture and the promotion of sustainable practices. The structure itself is constructed using locally-sourced materials, primarily bamboo and wood, reflecting a harmonious blend of traditional wisdom and contemporary design. Moreover, the project has provided meaningful opportunities for collaboration with local artisans, who have contributed their expertise to enhance the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the facility. By leveraging their knowledge and skills, Project Lighthouse has not only enriched its physical infrastructure but also strengthened its ties with the surrounding community.
Project
Soul Shelter for One
A House of Ordinary Stories
Design and Construction: Sadia Sharmin and Imran Hasan. Year: 2019
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Location: Seoul, South Korea
A House of Ordinary Stories is a design installation that delves into the essence of shelter, transcending its physical functionality. Conceived as part of the ‘Shelter For Soul International Design & Installation Competition’ organized by the Korean Institute of Architects, this soul shelter embodies the ethos of care and individual identity. The project won the silver prize in the competition and was exhibited during the 2019 Seoul Biennale of Architecture & Urbanism.
Context:
Situated within the bustling confines of Karail basti, the largest informal settlement in Bangladesh, A House of Ordinary Stories finds its inspiration in the life of Munia, a teenage girl representative of many others within the community. Munia's story epitomizes the aspirations and potential inherent within the youth of Karail, underscoring the need for an environment that fosters their holistic growth and development. Conceived through an empathetic lens that draws upon Munia's daily experiences, dreams, and aspirations, the soul shelter serves as a manifestation of her innermost desires. Designed to empower Munia in her journey of self-discovery, the shelter seeks to catalyze her ability to effect positive change within her surroundings and, ultimately, within herself.
Situated within the bustling confines of Karail basti, the largest informal settlement in Bangladesh, A House of Ordinary Stories finds its inspiration in the life of Munia, a teenage girl representative of many others within the community. Munia's story epitomizes the aspirations and potential inherent within the youth of Karail, underscoring the need for an environment that fosters their holistic growth and development. Conceived through an empathetic lens that draws upon Munia's daily experiences, dreams, and aspirations, the soul shelter serves as a manifestation of her innermost desires. Designed to empower Munia in her journey of self-discovery, the shelter seeks to catalyze her ability to effect positive change within her surroundings and, ultimately, within herself.
A House of Ordinary Stories seeks to challenge conventional notions of shelter by spotlighting the transformative power of everyday narratives. By reflecting on the 'ordinary stories' that underpin our existence, the installation endeavors to inspire Munia with a renewed sense of pride and resilience, thereby redefining her identity within the community.
In essence, A House of Ordinary Stories stands as a demonstration of the impact of individual narratives on the fabric of our built environment, inspiring a newfound sense of agency and purpose.
Project
Everyday Stories
Illustrated Storybook on Challenges Faced by Girls and Women in Dhaka
Author and Illustrator: Sadia Sharmin. Year: 2020-2022
Publisher: HerStory Publications
Publisher: HerStory Publications
'Everyday Stories' is an illustrated storybook shedding light on the challenges encountered by girls and women in a self-organized settlement of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Drawing from the real-life experiences of six individuals from Karail basti, the book delves into themes of bias, injustice, and gender-based discrimination. Despite the hardships depicted, 'Everyday Stories' remains imbued with hope, mirroring the resilience of its protagonists and emphasizing the potential of collective action.
This project focuses on the lives of girls and young women in underprivileged communities to cultivate awareness on the topics of gender equality, domestic violence, and mental health. The project began in 2020, with a winning fellowship grant award, by accumulating research on women's living experiences in informal settlements of Bangladesh. These stories are then traced in a graphic novel format to make an inclusive and engaging conversation tool. This storybook illustrates the real-life experiences of six residents of Karail Basti, Dhaka's largest self-organized settlement. By sharing their stories, this book aspires to serve as a creative advocacy tool, sparking discussions and raising awareness about the domestic and social environment of adolescent girls in Bangladesh.
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