Department of Architecture - Sthapatya Audidaptar

PROFILE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE


The Department of Architecture is the only Government organization to impart architectural services under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and responsible for designing all Government buildings and also for public housing schemes across the country. The Department not only prepares architectural designs and layout plans for public building and housing projects but also advises the Government on policy matters relating to human settlement and land use planning. It also offers advice / recommendation/assistance with respect to master plans, architectural plans, environmental conservation work, general architectural services etc. related to different projects as per requirements of different Ministries, Departments, Directorates, and Corporations etc.

All the architectural drawings of projects implemented for different Ministries, which are executed by the Public Works Department and Housing and Settlement Directorates (Now National Housing Authority) are prepared by the Department of Architecture. Besides providing the services and help of architecture, planning and housing design for the public sector the Department of Architecture played a vital role during the formulation of the National Housing Policy-1993 and the National Building Code 1993 (Modified in 1999). The steering Committee constituted by the Government to up-to-date the Building Code is also headed by Chief Architect of this Department.

In the pre-liberation period there was a dearth of architect officers having adequate technical qualifications in the architectural offices that existed then. However architects graduating from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology began to join this office since the first batch graduated in 1967. Presently there are a number of institutes that produce graduates in architecture and some of them are joining this Department.

Department of Architecture is headed by the Chief Architect who is a grade-II officer of the Government. Total approved strength of the department presently is 277, which includes in addition to Chief Architect, 1 (one) Additional Chief Architect, 6 (six) Deputy Chief Architects, 16 (sixteen) Assistant Chief Architects, 48 (forty eight) Assistant Architects, 1 (one) Executive Engineer (Civil), 1 (one) Assistant Engineer (E/M), 1 (one) Administrative officer along with necessary of Draftsman, Model-makers and Supporting General and Technical Staff. A good number of architects in the department have post graduate degree/diploma/ training in various specialist fields like housing, urban design, hospital and health facility planning, interior design, acoustical design, environmental management etc. Most of the officers and staff have undergone various training programs offered by the PATC, Planning and Development Academy, Bangladesh Institute of Management and such organizations.

The Chief Architect of this department has been declared as ex-office �Authorized Officer� under the Building Construct Act, for all public building and projects implemented under the Ministry of Housing and Public works.

The Department of Architecture works mainly for the following ministries and their subordinate offices: Agriculture Ministry, Cabinet Division, Chittagong Hill Tracks Affairs Ministry, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Commerce Ministry, Cultural Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, Disaster Management and Food Ministry, Education Ministry, Environment And Forest Ministry, Establishment Ministry, Expatriate�s Welfare & Overseas Employment Ministry, Finance Ministry, Fisheries & Livestock Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Health & Family Welfare Ministry, Home Affair Ministry, Housing & Public Works Ministry, Industries Ministry, Jute & Textile Ministry, Labour & Manpower Ministry, Land Ministry, Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, Liberation War Affairs Ministry, Local Government, Rural Development & Co-Operatives Ministry, Planning Ministry, Religious Affairs Ministry, Science, Information and Communication Technology Ministry, Shipping Ministry, Social Welfare Ministry, Women and Children Affairs .