Marina Tabassum

মেরিনা তাবাসসুম

Aliases / Transliterations: Marina Tabassum, M. Tabassum

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Editorial Selection Rationale: Recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2016 for Bait Ur Rouf Mosque, Soane Medal 2021, and decades of international studio leadership and built public works in Bangladesh.

Biographical Narrative & Practice

Marina Tabassum graduated from the Department of Architecture at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1994. In 1995, she co-founded URBANA with Kashef Chowdhury, designing notable works such as the Museum of Independence in Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka.

In 2005, she established her independent studio, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA). Her design for the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016. In 2021, she was awarded the Sir John Soane Medal in London for her enduring contributions to global architecture.

পরিচিতি (বাংলা)

মেরিনা তাবাসসুম ১৯৯৪ সালে বাংলাদেশ প্রকৌশল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় (বুয়েট) থেকে স্থাপত্যে স্নাতক ডিগ্রি অর্জন করেন। ২০০৫ সালে তিনি তার নিজস্ব স্টুডিও এমটিএ প্রতিষ্ঠা করেন। সুলতানি আমলের স্থাপত্যরীতির সাথে আধুনিকতার মেলবন্ধনে নির্মিত বায়তুর রউফ মসজিদের নকশার জন্য তিনি বৈশ্বিক সম্মাননা লাভ করেন।

Sourced Practice Affiliations

Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA)

Principal Architect Current

Evidence: Primary studio monograph citation

Selected Built Works & Documented Credits

Bait Ur Rouf Mosque

Role: Principal Architect (Concept, structural envelope design, and construction supervision)

2012

The Bait Ur Rouf Mosque, designed by Marina Tabassum, is a masterpiece of contemporary brick masonry and natural ventilation. Built on an elevated plinth to protect against floodwaters, the prayer hall is lit entirely by dappled natural sunlight filtering through perforated brick screens and ceiling apertures without reliance on artificial illumination.

Citation: Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2016 Citation (AKDN)

Evidence Register & Sources

Biography verified

Primary biographical verification for Marina Tabassum

Source: Bait Ur Rouf Mosque Aga Khan Award Monograph (Aga Khan Development Network) • Accessed Oct 2026

Biography verified

Primary biographical verification for Marina Tabassum

Source: Sir John Soane Medal 2021 Laureate Citation (Sir John Soane's Museum London) • Accessed Oct 2026

Profile Metadata

Location Dhaka

Documented Services

Architectural Design Heritage & Adaptive Reuse Sustainable & Climate-Resilient Design

Fact Review: verified

Last Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026

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