News Flash
DHAKA, Oct 26, 2025 (BSS) - Marina Tabassum is the visionary behind Khudi Bari - an affordable and climate-resilient mobile house designed for river erosion-displaced communities.
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Bangladesh National Museum, Chief Consultant of the July Uprising Museum, and an acclaimed architect, Marina Tabassum has become the first Bangladeshi to win the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for the second time.
In an exclusive interview with senior reporter of national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Selina Sultana recently, she spoke about her latest achievement and her pioneering project-Khudi Bari.
BSS: Congratulations on receiving the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for the second time.
Marina Tabassum: Thank you.
BSS: The idea of building a house in three days and moving it within three hours sounds fascinating. Tell us more about Khudi Bari.
Tabassum: It may sound new, but it's entirely true. Our research focused on the lower Meghna River region - especially the char (shoal) areas like Bhairabi and Haimchar. We studied how chars form and erode, the geographical changes, global warming, unexpected rainfall, and their effects on char communities. Since Bangladesh is a downstream country, we also looked into how our land heritage is being affected. From that research, the concept of Khudi Bari emerged.
We visited many chars and saw how people live there. During floods, they are forced to relocate frequently because the land is unstable. That reality inspired the idea of a portable, climate-resilient home.
BSS: When did you decide to work on this project seriously?
Tabassum: Between 2020 and 2022, construction activities were largely halted. That's when I started thinking of doing something for char communities - people who cannot afford big investments. I wanted a system that would let them stay at their homes even during floods, or move to higher ground if their land is submerged or eroded. That was the motivation behind launching Khudi Bari.
BSS: The idea of a "mobile home"- home that are moveable - is quite new.
Tabassum: Yes. If a house can be moved, people living in chars can relocate easily when needed. So, we began designing a structure that could be quickly assembled or disassembled.
BSS: Where did you first implement the project?
Tabassum: We first tested it in Dhaka. Later, we built five houses in char areas in consultation with local residents. We started the work with a grant from the Swiss Development Cooperation.
BSS: In which districts have you worked so far?
Tabassum: Starting from the Meghna chars, we expanded to Chandpur, Sunamganj, Jamalpur, and Kurigram. In the Teesta char of Kurigram, people live under extreme risk. The area is so remote that even NGO workers can't easily reach. Khudi Bari is most needed in such places.
BSS: How did you proceed with implementation?
Tabassum: We observed the situation between 2021 and 2022. In Jamalpur, there were three floods within two years. We provided Khudi Bari houses to 23-25 families out of 50. During floods, people take shelter on raised platforms, cook, and manage their households there. Water remains for two weeks to 45 days. They open the lower wall panels to let the water drain, clean up afterward, and continue living there. If needed, they can dismantle the house and rebuild it elsewhere.
BSS: Is the construction process of Khudi Bari simple?
Tabassum: Very simple. It requires a few bamboo poles and steel joints. These can be easily carried separately and reassembled elsewhere.
BSS: Why the name Khudi Bari? How do you select the beneficiaries?
Tabassum: Initially, we called it "Khude Bari" (small house). Our architect Arman suggested the name Khudi Bari. Selection is done in consultation with the community. We show brochures and hold discussions. We don't give the houses for free - rather we make partnership. Families build the floor or foundation at their own cost, while we provide the structure.
BSS: Who are prioritized under this project?
Tabassum: The most vulnerable - elderly, widowed, or helpless people living in chars. We select 20-25 individuals at a time. If someone wants to contribute a small amount, we assist them accordingly.
BSS: How much does it cost to build one Khudi Bari?
Tabassum: Around Tk 45,000, including labor and transportation. The monsoon season is ideal for construction. Many people later add kitchens, verandas, or animal sheds as they wish.
BSS: Tell us about your FACE.
Tabassum: The Foundation for Architecture Community Equity (FACE) runs the Khudi Bari project. It's a non-profit organization that works for climate refugees, nomadic groups, and low-income communities. Beyond housing, we also focus on livelihood improvement.
BSS: How many Khudi Bari houses have been built so far?
Tabassum: About 100. We've also built community houses in Rohingya camps. Women also participated in the work as well.
BSS: Where did the Khudi Bari design come from, and what's your future plan?
Tabassum: The idea came from my own head, but the design took shape through teamwork. The project is still ongoing and in great demand. We plan to expand to southern riverine and char areas in the future.
BSS: Has the government supported Khudi Bari in any way?
Tabassum: The previous government had the Ashrayan Project for housing the homeless. We tried to integrate Khudi Bari into that initiative. Some officials from the Prime Minister's Office even visited our sites, but no further steps were taken. In 1980s, the current Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, had launched a Grameen Housing Project, which also won the Aga Khan Award. That project built tin-roofed houses with bamboo posts and gained nationwide attention. Times have changed, and so have the challenges. Now, Khudi Bari represents the small house making a big difference.
BSS: In 2021, you received the UK-based Soane Medal. Tell us about that.
Tabassum: People abroad see this as a humanitarian initiative. I see it as a form of vernacular architecture. Just as rural houses evolve over time, Khudi Bari adapts too. Adaptation is essential in the face of the climate crisis, and people must be made aware of it.
BSS: In 2016, you won your first Aga Khan Award for your mosque design.
Tabassum: Yes, my grandmother donated land in Dakshin Khan, Dhaka, for a mosque that I designed - Baitur Rauf Mosque. It was recognized for its exquisite work of light and shadow.
BSS: This year, seven projects were announced as winners, and the award ceremony will take place on September 15 in Bishkek, Kazakhstan.
Tabassum: This award is not mine alone - it's the result of teamwork. Our donors, the communities, and FACE all contributed to this achievement.
BSS: Thank you for your time.
Marina Tabassum: Thank you too.
