Prof. Ar. Rafiq Azam’s monograph Rafiq Azam: Old Dhaka, New Story — Architecture in Bangladesh made its Japan debut at the International House of Japan in Roppongi, Minato City, on May 13, 2026, following its first international launch on March 26, 2026, at the Utzon Room of the iconic Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Organized by Plantec under the title An Evening of Architecture and themed Modernism Renewed from the South, the event was coordinated in Tokyo by Prof. George Kunihiro, Tokyo Coordinator of the Connecting Creativity initiative, whose efforts brought together an extraordinary assembly of voices from Japan and the international architectural community.
The evening commenced with welcome and inaugural remarks by Prof. George Kunihiro, executive officer of Plantec, followed by an address from Naoyuki Koyama, CEO of the firm.
The keynote introduction and opening lecture by Rafiq Azam, principal architect of Shatotto — Architecture for Green Living, reflected on his architectural journey rooted in Old Dhaka while addressing broader themes of culture, ecology, memory, and urban life.
The atmosphere of the evening moved fluidly between intellectual discourse and personal exchange. Architects, academics, and cultural practitioners engaged in conversations extending beyond architecture itself — touching upon urban identity, collective memory, sustainability, and the social responsibility of design.
The quiet gardens and restrained elegance of the International House of Japan provided a fitting backdrop for these reflections.
A documentary screening by Shankha Das Gupta followed, offering an intimate visual meditation on Azam’s architectural philosophy and creative process. The film revealed the spatial, social, and emotional dimensions embedded within his work, highlighting how architecture can cultivate meaningful relationships between people, nature, and the city.
The program then transitioned into a curated session of project presentations and critical reflection, bringing together a distinguished panel including Prof. Kengo Kuma, Prof. Masayuki Kurokawa, Prof. Takaharu Tezuka, and Prof. Shin Muramatsu.
The evening concluded with a reception and networking session, where guests engaged in informal exchanges and cultural dialogue. A celebratory toast by Nobuaki Furuya and closing remarks marked the gathering as a memorable occasion that reaffirmed architecture’s role as a cultural practice rooted in memory, place, and human connection.