Most people don’t know him as Shamsul Alam. In professional circles and on construction sites, he’s simply known as “Bitu Bhai.” Behind this familiar nickname lies a lifelong commitment to precision, resilience, and integrity in the world of structural engineering.

A graduate of BUET’s Civil Engineering department in 1982, Bitu was always wired for challenges. When he saw many peers pursuing MBAs after work, he was intrigued—not by the trend, but by the perceived difficulty. “Everyone said IBA was tough,” he recalls. That was reason enough. He sat for the highly competitive admission test at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka, and got in. Completing his MBA from IBA became a defining experience that broadened his technical foundation with managerial vision.

Engineering Across Borders: Malaysia Years

After finishing his studies, Bitu made a deliberate choice not to pursue government service. Instead, he joined consultancy firms in Bangladesh and abroad, often working closely with architects. This cross-disciplinary collaboration would later become central to his philosophy as a structural designer.

His international chapter began in 1994, when he joined Resil Bersekutu, a leading consultancy firm in Malaysia. The firm served as the local structural consultant for the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) project during Malaysia’s infrastructure boom. From 1994 to 1998, Bitu immersed himself in large-scale development projects—an experience he describes as transformative. “It was like being thrown from a well into a river,” he says, recalling the pace and scale of work.

Senior engineers guided him with generosity and rigour. The work environment was collaborative, and the technical exposure was unmatched. But he also noticed something deeper about recognition in the field: “The person who designs a 30-story tower may still remain anonymous.”

A Sudden Halt and a Return Home

In 1998, the Southeast Asian financial crisis hit. The Malaysian Ringgit collapsed, and the government abruptly suspended all development projects. Foreign professionals were asked to leave. His firm lost eight major projects overnight. “Just when I thought I’d found my future in Malaysia, it came to an end.”

Returning to Bangladesh, he joined a local construction company. But his passion for design remained unfulfilled. Around that time, Dhaka’s apartment culture was just emerging. “G+6 buildings were becoming common, and I felt a pull to be part of this evolution.”

Designing Through Adversity: The Birth of TDM

In the early 2000s, Bitu began thinking seriously about starting his own firm. Family life also took a turn—his wife was diagnosed with cancer, and they had to travel to Mumbai every six months for follow-up treatment. The demands of a full-time job clashed with these new realities. That’s when he made the decision: he would open his own office.

With a few friends, he rented a rundown flat in Lalmatia. The doors were termite-eaten, the windows barely held together. “But it was ours,” he says. And from that humble space, TDM—his structural consultancy firm—was born.

More Than a Company: A Family

TDM started with three people. Today, it employs over 30, including 10 structural consultants. What’s remarkable isn’t just the growth in numbers, but the loyalty within the team. Six staff members have been with the company for over 12 years. One has stayed for 21 years.

“In most places, the weaker members are discarded,” Bitu reflects. “But we’ve built a company where we lift each other up—whether it’s the peon or the principal engineer. We share each other’s burdens. That’s what makes us a family.”

Landmark Projects and Lasting Impact

TDM’s first major institutional project was Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology. That milestone was followed by a series of high-impact works: the Liberation War Museum, Aga Khan School (in collaboration with Rafiq Azam and UK-based FCB Studios), Krishibid Institute, and the IHL Hospital in Chattogram.

Their industrial portfolio is equally impressive. “Industrial projects come in two types,” Bitu explains. “One is like a regular building—sewing machines and workspaces. But the other type involves complex systems like dyeing units and ETPs. Those are structurally demanding.”

Among the most notable is the Nasir Glass Factory. One of its production units spans nearly a kilometer in length. It includes a 300-foot-tall chimney—an engineering challenge due to its unique casting method. “We had to learn on the job,” he admits. Other complex projects included the reverse-stacked structure for Berger Paints, with warehouse space below and production floors above.

The Unseen Backbone: Challenges in the Structural Field

Despite the technical sophistication and societal importance of their work, structural engineers in Bangladesh remain underappreciated. “If a doctor makes a mistake, one person may die,” Bitu says. “But if a structural engineer makes a mistake, hundreds could die.”

He voices concern over the lack of proper regulation. There is no national law mandating that structural drawings must be vetted by a certified structural engineer. As a result, unqualified practitioners—”fake engineers,” as he calls them—can operate with impunity.

“Without proper laws and enforcement, structurally unsafe buildings don’t collapse right away. But over time, the risk accumulates. One day, a building designed without a true safety factor will fail—suddenly and catastrophically.”

Advice for the Next Generation

For Bitu, structural design isn’t just a job—it’s a discipline that demands humility and constant learning. He advises young engineers to spend at least two years under a senior mentor. “Building codes evolve. Earthquake zones get updated. You have to keep reading, keep learning. This isn’t a routine desk job.”

He also calls for deeper collaboration between architects and structural designers. “A structural engineer turns an architect’s vision into reality. But architects too must understand the language of structure. Only then can they truly design responsibly.”

Engineering with Ethics and Precision

Reflecting on his career, Bitu says every project brought new puzzles. From the towering chimneys of glass factories to the layered complexity of production units, the work has always been demanding—but deeply fulfilling.

As Bangladesh’s cities continue to rise, the silent discipline of structural design often goes unnoticed. But thanks to engineers like Shamsul Alam—who build not just structures, but cultures of care, discipline, and honesty—those buildings stand tall.