Architecture, Activism, and the Art of Living
On a rain-slicked afternoon in 2004, tucked away in an unassuming firm at Bangla Motor, a legend was hiding in plain sight. Introduced by the late sculptor Syed Abdullah Khalid, I first encountered Professor Shamsul Wares not amidst the flashbulbs of a gallery opening or the podium of a grand hall, but in the quiet hum of creation.
What struck me then and remains true as he celebrates his 80th birthday this January 21 is his profound aversion to the “human distractions” of fame. In an era of loud branding, Wares is a master of the silences: the light between pillars, the air flowing through a corridor, and the intellectual clarity that comes from a life dedicated to the truth.
A Blueprint for the Modern Soul
Shamsul Wares is more than an architect; he is a bridge. Having worked under the shadow of the greats, the American master Louis I. Kahn and the father of Bengal Architecture, Mazharul Islam Wares, took those monumental influences and distilled them into something uniquely Bangladeshi and fiercely modern.
His design philosophy is a masterclass in restraint. His buildings are celebrated for their:
- Modern Aesthetics: An experimental approach that never sacrifices function.
- Natural Harmony: Designs that prioritise the effortless flow of air and light.
- Logical Spatiality: A balanced use of space that feels both precise and poetic.
The Vocal Liberal
While he may be an introvert by nature, Professor Wares has never been quiet in the face of injustice. Emerging as a powerhouse intellectual in the 1990s, he became a vanguard against reactionary nationalism and religious fundamentalism. Despite his personal atheism, he has spent decades as a staunch advocate for the rights of all faiths, consistently speaking out against inequality and intolerance.
“Wares possesses exceptional analytical abilities… He is candid and courageous in articulating the truth, with an aversion to pretentiousness that reflects in every line he draws and every word he writes.”
A Legacy in Motion
At 80, the energy of the former BUET professor shows no sign of waning. As the current Dean of the School of Science and Technology at the State University of Bangladesh, his daily routine remains a whirlwind of academic rigour: teaching, writing, and contributing to the global architectural dialogue.
From his featured appearance in the acclaimed documentary My Architect: A Son’s Journey to receiving the IAB Lifetime Achievement Award, Wares’ influence stretches from the drawing boards of Dhaka to international juries in New Delhi and beyond. He remains, as ever, a man who cherishes the intersection of life and art—whether it be cinema, photography, or the perfect curve of a concrete wall.
Editor’s Note
In this special feature, we celebrate the octogenarian milestone of Professor Shamsul Wares. More than just a builder of structures, Wares is a builder of conscience. At Cinebuzz Times, we honour his multidimensional contributions to our cultural fabric—reminding us that the most enduring structures are not made of brick and mortar but of integrity and intellect.