By Neha Shamim

On May 13, 2026, the International House of Japan in Roppongi, Minato City, transformed into a space of reflection, exchange, and architectural dialogue as architects, academics, and cultural thinkers gathered for the Japan launch of RAFIQ AZAM: OLD DHAKA, NEW STORY, Architecture in Bangladesh. Presented under the title An Evening of Architecture, Modernism Renewed from the South by Plantec, the event marked another significant international chapter in the evolving global journey of Bangladeshi architect Prof. Rafiq Azam and his architectural philosophy rooted in memory, ecology, and humanity.

Coordinated in Tokyo by Prof. George Kunihiro, Executive Officer of Plantec Inc. and Tokyo Coordinator of the Connecting Creativity initiative, the evening brought together some of Japan’s most distinguished architectural voices alongside members of the international design community. More than a formal book launch, the gathering unfolded as an intellectual and cultural exchange ,exploring how architecture can move beyond physical structure to become a language of identity, atmosphere, and collective experience.

Published by Rizzoli International Publications in collaboration with SHATOTTO | Architecture for Green Living, OLD DHAKA, NEW STORY traces the architectural journey of Rafiq Azam from the dense urban fabric of Old Dhaka to the global architectural stage. Deeply shaped by Bengal’s cultural and spiritual traditions, Azam’s work reflects an enduring engagement with water, light, nature, openness, and the emotional dimensions of space. His architecture resists spectacle, instead embracing sensitivity, silence, and human connection ,creating environments that respond not only to climate and context, but also to memory and the rhythms of everyday life.

The evening commenced with inaugural remarks by Prof. George Kunihiro, followed by an address from Naoyuki Koyama, CEO of Plantec Inc. Together, the opening speeches established the intellectual tone of the program, emphasizing architecture’s role in fostering dialogue between cultures and geographies. This was followed by a keynote lecture from Prof. Rafiq Azam himself, whose reflections offered insight into an architectural practice shaped by Old Dhaka’s layered urban life while simultaneously engaging broader contemporary concerns surrounding ecology, urban fragmentation, and social responsibility.

A screening of a documentary film on Azam’s work introduced audiences to the poetic and experiential qualities embedded within his architecture. Through imagery, landscape, and lived space, the film revealed an approach grounded not in monumentality, but in atmosphere ,where buildings breathe through water, shadow, vegetation, and movement. The presentation reinforced Azam’s belief that architecture must remain deeply connected to both people and place.

Panel Discussion

The program then evolved into a session of project presentations and critical dialogue featuring an extraordinary panel that included Prof. Kengo Kuma, Prof. Masayuki Kurokawa, Prof. Takaharu Tezuka, and Prof. Shin Muramatsu. Through thoughtful critique and conversation, the panel situated Azam’s work within wider contemporary architectural discourse, drawing attention to its regional sensitivity, material honesty, and environmental consciousness. The discussions reflected a shared concern for architecture that is humane, climate-responsive, and culturally rooted in an increasingly globalized world.

A major highlight of the evening was the official unveiling of OLD DHAKA, NEW STORY, celebrated not merely as a monograph, but as a cultural bridge connecting Bangladesh and Japan through architectural thought and creative exchange. The publication became a point of convergence between two distinct yet resonant architectural cultures, both deeply invested in craftsmanship, nature, spatial poetry, and the relationship between tradition and modernity.

Following the formal ceremony, the evening transitioned into a reception and networking gathering where guests engaged in informal discussions and reflection. A celebratory toast by Prof. Nobuaki Furuya marked a moment of collective appreciation and cultural solidarity, reinforcing the spirit of openness and dialogue that defined the event throughout the evening.

The gathering concluded with closing remarks and commemorative photography, capturing an occasion marked by intellectual depth, generosity of exchange, and international cultural engagement. From keynote reflections and documentary screenings to critical conversations and collective celebration, the evening embodied a shared belief in architecture as a living cultural practice ,one capable of transcending borders while remaining deeply grounded in place, ecology, memory, and human experience.

As the global journey of OLD DHAKA, NEW STORY ,Architecture in Bangladesh continues, the next chapter will unfold on June 5, 2026, at Barefoot in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 7 PM onwards. Set within one of Colombo’s most iconic cultural spaces, the upcoming gathering is expected to continue the evolving dialogue surrounding architecture, creativity, and cultural connection ,extending the monograph’s journey across new geographies while carrying forward the spirit of exchange that has shaped each international presentation.