Mohammad Habib Reza, PhD

Mohammad Habib Reza is an architect and architectural historian, completed his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Khulna University in 2001 and PhD in architectural history and theory from Nottingham Trent University, UK in 2013. Later he joined as a Research Fellow in Nottingham Trent University and was involved in research projects funded by Nottingham Trent University and the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of Oman, for the documentation of traditional oasis settlements in Central Oman towards the delivery of culturally and technically informed Heritage Management Plans. He is also a founder member of the Centre for the study of Architecture and Cultural Heritage in India, Arabia and the Maghreb (ArCHIAM), based at Nottingham Trent University aims to provide an interdisciplinary research platform for historical and contemporary cultural developments across three interconnected global regions.

His interest focuses on the geometric and morphological development of architecture plus settlements and their connection with cultural, social and religious processes. In his PhD he proposes the morphological development pattern of ancient and mediaeval Buddhist architecture of Bengal, which is also his prime field of interest. His research further explores the connection between Bengal and other culture and their architectural styles. Presently Reza has close working relationships with academic researchers in Europe, North America and Asia.

Department of Architecture

Address

BRAC University
Room: UB41411 Building: 4
66 Mohakhali C/A
Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh

+088 4478444109
habib.reza@bracu.ac.bd

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Education
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2013: Doctor of Philosophy, Architecture (History and Theory), Nottingham Trent University, UK
2001: Bachelor of Architecture, Khulna University, Bangladesh
Publications
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Books

Ahmed, I., & Reza, M. H. (Eds.). (2018). Re-Imagining Bengal. Uttar Pradesh, India: Copal Publishing Group. Retrieved from http://www.copalpublishing.com/book-detail.php?id=34

Bandyopadhyay, S., Quattrone, G., Goffriller, M. F., Reza, M. H., Abri, H. A., Harrison, J., & Adams, C. (2014). Bahla : Harat al-Aqr, Documentation and heritage management plan. Muscat,Oman: Ministry of Heritage and Culture. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/archiam/docs/bahla_a_hmp%0A

Bandyopadhyay, S., Quattrone, G., Goffriller, M. F., Reza, M. H., Abri, H. A., Harrison, J., & Momoh, J. (2014). Bidbid : Harat al Fanja, Documentation and heritage management plan. Muscat,Oman: Ministry of Heritage and Culture. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/archiam/docs/fanja_h_hmp%0A

Bandyopadhyay, S., Quattrone, G., Goffriller, M. F., Reza, M. H., Harrison, J., & Abri, H. A. (2014). Birkat al-Mawz : Harat as-Saybani, Documentation and heritage management plan. Muscat,Oman: Ministry of Heritage and Culture. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/archiam/docs/bam_s_hmp%0A

Bandyopadhyay, S., Quattrone, G., Goffriller, M. F., Reza, M. H., & Abri, H. A., Geranmayeh, E. (2014). Ibri : Harat as-Sulayf, documentation and heritage management plan. Muskat, Oman: Ministry of Heritage and Culture.

Bandyopadhyay, S., Quattrone, G., Goffriller, M. F., Reza, M. H., Abri, H. A., Harrison, J., & Momoh, J. (2014). Izki : Harat al-Yemen, Documentation and heritage management plan. Muscat,Oman: Ministry of Heritage and Culture. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/archiam/docs/izki_y_hmp%0A

Book Chapters

Reza, M. H. (2018). A community-involved strategic management plan for Chhoto Katra. In I. Ahmed & M. H. Reza (Eds.), Re-Imagining Bengal: Architecture, built environment and cultural heritage (1st ed.). Ghaziabad, India: Copal Publishing Group.

Reza, M. H. (2018). Rethinking the Post-Gupta Bengal: Settlement and architecture. In I. Ahmed & M. H. Reza (Eds.), Re-Imagining Bengal: Architecture, built environment and cultural heritage (1st ed., pp. 16–32). Ghaziabad, India: Copal Publishing Group.

Reza, M. H., & Ahmed, I. (2018). Re-Imagining Bengal: Critical thoughts. In I. Ahmed & M. H. Reza (Eds.), Re-Imagining Bengal: Architecture, built environment and cultural heritage (1st ed., pp. x–15). Ghaziabad, India: Copal Publishing Group.

Journals

Mowla, Q., Reza, M. H., & Bandyopadhyay, S. (2015). Traces of Buddhist Architecture in Gupta and post-Gupta Bengal: Evidence from Inscriptions and Literature. Journal of Eurasian Studies, II(3), 8–19.

Reza, M. H. (2010). Post gupta Bengal - Inscriptions, coins and literatures. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 2(3), 22–28.

Reza, M. H. (2008). Bengal Gupta Viharas: Did such a Phenomenon Exist? The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 3(5), 211–216. https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v03i05/52620

Conferences

Awal, N., & Reza, M. H. (2017). Evaluating morphological changes of household environment: A case study of migration in Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 9th International Conference on Sustainable Development and Planning, SDP 2017, 226(1), 195–206. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP170171
Professional Activities
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September 2013 – Present
Assistant Professor : BRAC University

May 2013 – September 2013
Assistant Professor : State University of Bangladesh

April 2012 – May 2013
Research Fellow : Nottingham Trent University

June 2011 – October 2011
Research Associate : Nottingham Trent University

May 2011 – June 2011
Research Assistant : Nottingham Trent University

August 2004 – August 2007
Architect : Barisal City Corporation

September 2003 – July 2004
Architect : Foundation Engineers and Architects Ltd

December 2002 – August 2003
Junior Architect : Abashan Upodeshta Ltd

August 2002 – November 2002
Junior Architect : Foundation Engineers and Architects Ltd
Courses Taught
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- ARC 225: History of Art and Architecture (Indo Islamic)
- ARC 327: History of Art and Architecture (Bengal)
- ARC 491: Architectural Conservation
- ARC 302: Design VI
- ARC 402: Design VIII
- ARC 512: Seminar II
Conferences, Talks, and Speaking Engagements
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(PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES)
- Bengal Gupta Viharas: Did such a Phenomenon Exist? Paper presented in: The third International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Monash University Centre, Prato, Tuscany, Italy from 22 to 25 July 2008.
- Early Buddhist architecture of Bengal. Presented in Annual conference, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham UK. 2012
- Trace of Buddhist architecture in Gupta and post Gupta inscriptions and literature, Presented in: School Research Seminar Liverpool University, Liverpool UK, 18th November 2008
Awards, Honors
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- Nottingham Trent University PhD Bursary for pursuing doctoral research.
- Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust Grant.
Membership
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2012: Member British Association for South Asian Studies (BASAS)
2007: Member Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA)
2008: Associate Member American Institute of Architects (AIA)
2006: Candidate Member Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB)
Research Areas/Interests
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ANCIENT AND MEDIAEVAL ARCHITECTURE OF BENGAL
The initial thrusts were provided by the morphological study on Gupta and post Gupta vihāras of Bengal, leading to a PhD degree. Now I am expanding it to the study of aspects and socio-cultural context, where multi-disciplinarily research approach is helping me to research on other related fields of study as well. Presently I am working on Hindu temple architecture of Bengal, focusing on pañcharatna temples. One journal paper is currently in preparation. Next step will be to apply for some funding from some European funding body to explore in detail the mediaeval religious architecture of Bengal.

TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENT AND ARCHITECTURE OF OMAN
Working in heritage management plans provided the base to have a clearer understanding of Omani settlements. Subsequently, the work has expanded into the study of aspects and components of the traditional architecture of Omani settlements. In addition the study on morphological and typological characteristics helped to contribute to the development of historical theory for that region. Some publications have now appeared and more are due to appear shortly in refereed journals, as book chapters and monographs. Some projects completed on Oman are as follows
- Documentation and Heritage Management Plan of Harat as-Saybani (BARKAT AL-MAWZ) (view online)
- Documentation and Heritage Management Plan of Harat al-Yemen (IZKI) (view online)
- Documentation and Heritage Management Plan of Harat al-Aqr (BAHLA, UNESCO World Heritage Site) (view online)
- Documentation and Heritage Management Plan of Harat as-Sulayf (IBRI) (view online)
- Documentation and Heritage Management Plan of Harat al-Hujra (FANJA) (view online)
SERVICES TO RESEARCH COMMUNITY
- Founding member : ArCHIAM, Nottingham Trent University
- Associate Editor : International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Volume 3, Issue 5
- Site Coordinator : Global Heritage Fund
- Member : Forum UNESCO-University and Heritage Network
- Administrator : Society of Architectural Historians of Bengal (SAHB)

Associate Professor

Address

Education

Publications

Professional Activities

Courses Taught

Conferences, Talks, and Speaking Engagements

Awards, Honors

Membership

Research Areas/Interests

News & Events

Brac University joins Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Brac University holds orientation for Spring 2021

Brac University navigating through the Covid-19 pandemic

Brac University international students enjoy participating in an important Bangladeshi cultural event.