FORM.3 Architects has been awarded First Prize in the Open Architectural Design Competition for the proposed Ten-Storied Academic Building of Dhaka Residential Model College (DRMC), Mohammadpur. The competition was organised by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), marking another significant milestone in the nation’s contemporary architectural discourse.

The winning proposal stands out for its thoughtful engagement with DRMC’s long-established academic legacy and spatial character. Rather than treating the project as an isolated vertical addition, the design carefully interprets the campus’s linear morphology, shaded courts, and strong sense of community—qualities that have long defined DRMC’s educational culture.

Rooted in a deep reading of context, the project responds to the lived experiences of students across age groups, acknowledging the formative years where curiosity, confidence, and identity begin to take shape. The architectural approach emphasises interconnected learning environments, terraces, courtyards, and communal platforms—spaces that extend learning beyond classrooms and reinforce everyday social interaction.

By layering contemporary architectural language onto an established institutional fabric, the proposal achieves a sensitive balance between continuity and progression. Inputs from former DRMC students further enriched the design process, allowing previously overlooked spatial needs to inform a more inclusive and future-ready academic environment.

ArchBiz also acknowledges Team NATIVE works for their active collaboration throughout the journey, and extends appreciation to IAB, DRMC, and the esteemed jury panel for conducting a rigorous and transparent competition process.

This achievement reflects a growing commitment within the architectural community toward context-driven, student-centric, and culturally responsive design, setting a strong precedent for future educational infrastructure in Bangladesh.