History
Late 1980s
Few Bangladeshi Architects migrated to Australia (mainly in Sydney and Melbourne) with great expectation to have a successful profession in Architecture. No major issues with Accreditation through the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (ACCA) as all of them were graduates from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) – the degree was assessed as equivalent to Australian B.Arch.
Early 1990’s
More Bangladeshi Architect’s came to Australia graduating from several universities of Bangladesh.
The standards, quality, capability and equality of these degrees were unknown to ACCA. ACCA raised its concern about the equivalence of these degrees and the accreditation for Bangladeshi students was impacted considerably.
In addition, Australian recession in the early 1990’s had huge negative impact on Bangladeshi Architects in Australia like any other Architects in this country at that time.
Massive loss of jobs or no jobs was the main issues for Bangladeshi Architects during that time.
Late 1990’s to early 2000
ACCA was confused with many Bangladeshi University’s degree in Architecture. Not many jobs in Architecture – needed to explore alternatives.
Demand for diversified relevant education among Bangladeshi Architects – urban planning, urban design, interior design, graphic design, 3D modelling and drafting, project management, contract management, academics, further education and so on.
Contacts between mainstream Australian Architects and newly arrived Bangladeshi Architects in Australia was fading over time.
The then Royal Australian institute of Architects, Architects Registration Board and ACCA was gradually becoming unknown to these migrant Architects.
The GAP was getting bigger and bigger.
Early 2000
A backyard BBQ in 2004 in Sydney gave birth to an innovative conceptual organisation to support Bangladeshi Architects in Australia. With lots of fear, hope, inspirations, encouragements and dream planned strategic actions. Fear of recognition, new path, lack of resources, where no one has gone before.
Hope with the Bangladeshi Architects, patrons, willingness and spirit to help each other.
We had Inspiration from great people like Alec Tzannes, Louise Cox, Paul Pholeros, Glen Murcutt, Rafiq Azam and above all Architect Mubasshar Hossain, former President of IAB, ARCASIA and CAA.
We received encouragement from IAB, AIA (particularly the NSW Chapter manager and ACT Chapter manager).
We have dream that one day ACCA will recognise all Bangladeshi degree in Architecture, All Bangladeshi Architects will have the choice to become a registered architect in and AIA will be flooded with memberships from Bangladeshi Architects in Australia.