Mohammad Foyez Ullah
{{Short description|Bangladeshi architect (born 1967)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=December 2021}}
{{BLP primary sources|date=January 2022}}
{{Peacock|date=January 2022}}
{{Independent sources|date=March 2022}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox architect
| name = Mohammad Foyez Ullah
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| website = {{URL|www.volumezeroltd.com}}
| practice = Volumezero Limited
| alma_mater = Faujdarhat Cadet College
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
| image = Architect Mohammad Foyez Ullah.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|01|1|df=y}}
| spouse = Morsheda Nasmeen
| caption = Foyez in 2021 at his office Volumezero Limited, Dhaka
| birth_place = Dacca, East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh)
| embedded = {{Infobox person |embed=yes
}}
| honorific_suffix = MIAB M Arch Assoc. AIA
| honorific_prefix =
| parents = Father: AKM Woliullah Mother: Sultana Begum
| children = 2
| significant_buildings = Akij Pavilion 2020, Cox's Bazaar Railway Station, Arhams Tower.
| significant_projects = Bashundhara Sports Complex and Bashundhara Kings Arena And Shahjalal Islami Bank HQ.
}}
Mohammad Foyez Ullah ({{langx|bn|মোহাম্মদ ফয়েজ উল্লাহ}}, born 1 January 1967) is a Bangladeshi architect.{{Cite web|title=IAB - Institute of Architects Bangladesh {{!}} Find an Architect|url=http://www.iab.com.bd/Site/FindArchitect?n=Mohammad%20Foyez%20Ullah|access-date=2021-07-06|website=www.iab.com.bd}} He is the founder and principal architect of Volumezero Limited,{{Cite web |date=2019-03-05 |title=Architect Mohammad Foyez Ullah |url=https://www.showcase.com.bd/inside-story/architect-mohammad-foyez-ullah/ |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=SHOWCASE |language=en-US}} and co-founded Vistara Architects. He started his career as an educator, and an assistant professor at the Department of Architecture, BUET, from 1994 to 1998.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
Eventually, he moved towards professional architectural practice as a designer and an entrepreneur in related fields.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-23 |script-title=bn:ভলিউম জিরো নিয়ে ফয়েজের স্বপ্ন |url=https://www.ananda-alo.com/3893/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=আনন্দ আলো |language=bn}}{{Cite web|last=Bhatia|first=Dr R. L.|title=World Brand Congress|url=https://worldbrandcongress.com/GLOBAL_AWARDS_2017.html|access-date=2021-07-06|website=worldbrandcongress.com|language=en-US}}
Early life, education and career
Mohammad Foyez Ullah was born on 1 January 1967 in Dhaka, East Pakistan, to AKM Woliullah, a government service holder and entrepreneur, and Sultana Begum, a homemaker. Foyez received his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1993 and a Masters of Architecture in 1997 from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). In the following year, he went back to BUET and taught there until 1998. He continued to be an educator in architectural schools across the country from BRAC University, North South University, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology to the University of Asia Pacific.{{Cite web |script-title=bn:বাণিজ্যিক স্থাপত্যের অনন্য মাইলফলক |url=https://www.deshrupantor.com/rupantorer-bangladesh-7/2020/01/26/195217 |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Desh Rupantor |language=bn}}
Foyez co-founded Vistaara Architects in 1994 and after more than a decade of partnership with Vistaara, he founded Volumezero Limited in 2008. His early designed projects include Bashundhara City,{{Cite web|title=Who works with us – Accord Holdings Ltd|url=https://accordgroupbd.com/who-works-with-us/|access-date=2021-06-29|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Bashundhara City|url=https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-projects/fcff/bashundara-city-project-pages.html|access-date=2021-06-29|website=worldarchitecture.org}} which was the largest mall in South Asia and 3rd largest in the world when it was opened to the public on 6 August 2003.{{Cite news |date=2008-04-10|title=Asia's 'biggest' mall in Dhaka|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-31523|access-date=2021-06-27|work=The Daily Star|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=|date=9 February 2021|title=Bashundhara City|url=https://porzoton.com/bashundhara-city/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Porjoton|language=en-GB}} It was a mixed-use retail development and received the Superbrand status in 2009.{{Cite web|last=Islam|first=A. K. M. zahidul|title=Corporate Info|url=https://www.bashundhara-city.com/fullpage/corporate-info|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Corporate Info|language=en}} Some of his early projects are UTC, The Westin Dhaka, PICL Bhaban and Shanta Western Tower, and Grameenphone Corporate Headquarters,{{Cite web |title=Grameenphone Corporate Head Quarter (GPHouse) |url=https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-projects/mpmp/grameenphone-corporate-head-quarter-gphouse--project-pages.html |website=World Architecture}} (GP House).
Foyez is also known as a Green Building designer. The U.S. Green Building Council has accredited LEED Gold certification to various projects designed and built by Foyez's practice, such as Simpletree Anarkali, Shahjalal Islami Bank Corp Headquarters, and Simpletree Lighthouse.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-27|title=Simpletree Anarkali – An ode to a purist architectural response|url=https://www.showcase.com.bd/architect-column/a-purist-architectural-approach-simpletree-anarkali/|access-date=2021-06-28|website=SHOWCASE|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Simpletree Anarkali {{!}} U.S. Green Building Council|url=https://www.usgbc.org/projects/simpletree-anarkali|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.usgbc.org|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Shahjalal Islami Bank Corp. Headquarters {{!}} U.S. Green Building Council|url=https://www.usgbc.org/projects/shahjalal-islami-bank-corp-headquarters|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.usgbc.org|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Project Name : Simple Tree Light House|url=https://greentreebd.com/portfolio/greenwest-ct/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Green Tree BD|language=en-US}}{{excessive citations inline|date=June 2025}} Foyez is an editorial committee member of the Fire Safety and Protection section of the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC).{{Cite web|title=Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2015 (Final Draft)|url=https://policy.asiapacificenergy.org/node/3520|access-date=2021-06-27|website=policy.asiapacificenergy.org}}{{Cite book|url=https://policy.asiapacificenergy.org/node/3520|title=Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC)|year=2015|location=Dhaka|pages=7–8}} He is also an advisor of the monthly showcase, which is an art and architecture magazine of Bangladesh.{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.showcase.com.bd/about-us-2/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=SHOWCASE|language=en-US}}
Books
- Foyez Ullah: Dhaka's Tropical Expressive Architecture, a book published by Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers. This book shows how Foyez's architecture has contributed to society and people.{{Cite web |title=Foyez Ullah: Dhaka's Tropical Expressive Architecture |url=https://www.oropublishers.com/products/foyez-ullah-dhaka-s-tropical-expressive-architecture |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers |language=en}}
Early projects
File:Panthapath.jpg|Bashundhara City
File:Westin hostel.jpg|The Westin Dhaka
=Bashundhara City=
The mall Bashundhara City is located at Panthapath, Dhaka, and was opened to the public on 6 August 2004. The building complex is 19 stories tall and covers an area of 17,763 square meters. It is one of the largest shopping malls in South Asia. The mall has space for 2,325 retail stores and cafeterias, a gymnasium, a cinema hall, a penthouse food court, an ice skating rink, a theme park, a fitness club, and a swimming pool. It also includes the 19-story corporate offices of the Bashundhara Group.{{Cite web|last=Islam|first=A. K. M. zahidul|title=About City|url=https://www.bashundhara-city.com/fullpage/about-city|access-date=2021-07-10|website=About City|language=en}}
=Grameenphone corporate headquarters=
Grameenphone's corporate headquarters (known as "GP House") is located at Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka and was formally inaugurated on 23 November 2010. GP House is considered one of the most successful office buildings in Bangladesh.{{Cite web|date=2010-11-25|title=Grameenphone's house for inspiration and empowerment|url=https://www.telenor.com/grameenphones-house-for-inspiration-and-empowerment/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Telenor Group|language=en}}
= The Westin Dhaka =
The Westin Dhaka is a Westin Hotel located at Gulshan Avenue in Dhaka. It is one of the tallest hotels in Bangladesh. It has 29 floors and was completed in 2006.{{Cite web|title=Westin Dhaka|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/221654/westin-dhaka-dhaka-bangladesh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715165831/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/221654/westin-dhaka-dhaka-bangladesh|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=usurped}}
Major projects (2008–present)
File:ICCB (27108080075).jpg| ICCB
File:Cox'sBazar Railway Station 01.jpg|Cox's Bazar Railway Station
= Bashundhara Sports Complex =
The Bashundhara Sports Complex is a sports complex including a football stadium of Bashundhara Kings Arena.{{Cite news |title=Bashundhara Sports Complex set to make history |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/605780/Bashundhara-Sports-Complex-set-to-make-history |access-date=2022-03-14 |work=Daily Sun |language=en}} It is the largest sports complex in Bangladesh, with a total land area of 300 bigha (100 acres).{{Cite web |script-title=bn:বসুন্ধরায় তৈরি হচ্ছে দেশের সর্ববৃহৎ ক্রীড়া কমপ্লেক্স |url=https://www.deshrupantor.com/sport/2019/12/25/188925 |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Desh Rupantor |language=bn}}{{Cite news |date=2022-02-17 |script-title=bn:দেশের স্বার্থ-সমৃদ্ধির জন্যই 'বসুন্ধরা স্পোর্টস কমপ্লেক্স' |url=https://banglanews24.com/cricket/news/bd/912912.details |access-date=2022-03-14 |work=banglanews24.com |language=bn}}{{Cite news |script-title=bn:দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার সেরা ক্রীড়া কমপ্লেক্স হতে যাচ্ছে বসুন্ধরা মাল্টি স্পোর্টস এ্যারেনা |url=https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/details/article/469086/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A3-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%B8/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |work=Janakantha |language=bn}}{{Cite web |title=The Largest Private Sports Complex in Bangladesh |url=http://pebsteelalliance.com/pebmail/Largest_private_sports_complex.html |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=pebsteelalliance.com}}{{Cite web |title=Bashundhara Sports Complex – VOLUMEZERO Limited |url=https://volumezeroltd.com/portfolio-item/bashundhara-sports-complex/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |language=en-US}}{{excessive citations inline|date=June 2025}}
= Cox's Bazar Railway Station =
Located near the bus terminal of Cox's Bazar, Cox’s Bazar Railway Station is an iconic six-story landmark. Its oyster-shaped design holds symbolic significance related to Cox's Bazar Beach.{{cite web|url=https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2023-03-27/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%AA|title=বহুমাত্রিক রূপে দেশের প্রথম আইকনিক রেলস্টেশন|language=bn|date=27 March 2023|access-date=14 May 2023|website=Somoy TV}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/features/habitat/iconic-green-railway-station-elevate-your-coxs-bazar-experience-734354|title=An iconic, green railway station to elevate your Cox's Bazar experience|language=en|date=7 November 2023|access-date=9 November 2023|website=The Business Standard}}
= Simpletree Lighthouse =
Simpletree Lighthouse is a fourteen-story commercial building. It was certified LEED Gold on 12 July 2021, for core and shell.{{Cite web|title=Simpletree Lighthouse {{!}} U.S. Green Building Council|url=https://www.usgbc.org/projects/simpletree-lighthouse|access-date=2022-01-09|website=www.usgbc.org|language=en}}
= Mika Cornerstone =
Mika Cornerstone Complex, completed in 2015, is in Uttara, Dhaka. It is one of the tallest buildings in the area.{{cn|date=June 2025}}
= Akij House =
Akij House is the headquarters of one of the largest Bangladeshi industrial conglomerates.{{Cite news |last=Rahman|first=Sajjadur|date=2009-06-24|title=Akij Group to branch out into new avenues|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-94027|access-date=2022-01-10|work=The Daily Star|language=en}} It is located beside Tejgaon Gulshan Link Road. The design goal for the Akij House was to create an architectural piece that would reflect the Akij Group's corporate vision.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-01|title=A Beacon in the Skyline - Akij House|url=https://www.showcase.com.bd/architect-column/a-beacon-in-the-skyline-akij-house/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=SHOWCASE|language=en-US}}
= Sheraton Dhaka =
A hotel by Marriott International, Sheraton Dhaka is located in Dhaka. Its architectural design was inspired by omni-directionality.{{Cite web|title=Sheraton Dhaka|url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dacsi-sheraton-dhaka/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Marriott International|language=en-US}}
= Shahjalal Islami Bank Corp. Headquarters =
It is the head office of Shahjalal Islami Bank Corp. This building was LEED Gold certified on 6 February 2019.
= Simpletree Anarkali =
This project is the first LEED-certified core and shell project in Bangladesh. It stands fourteen stories above ground with three basement levels and 143,189 square feet of gross usable space. In terms of energy consumption, the building system achieves a 12.57% reduction in energy cost.
= ICCB Bashundhara =
The ICCB Bashundhara, also known as ICCB, is the largest event space in Bangladesh. It is owned by Bashundhara Group.{{Cite web|title=Venues - International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB)|url=https://alpha360.co/vendor-single-profile/International-Convention-City-Bashundhara-(ICCB)|access-date=2022-01-10|website=alpha360.co}}
Awards
- Six National Board of Revenue (NBR) Awards to be listed as the highest tax-paying architect in Bangladesh from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.{{Cite news |date=2018-11-13|title=Top taxpayers call for widening tax net|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bring-more-under-tax-net-1659808|access-date=2021-06-27|work=The Daily Star|language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Bangladesh names 141 taxpayers for awards|url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/128434/bangladesh-names-141-taxpayers-for-awards|access-date=2021-06-27|work=New Age |language=en}}{{Cite news |script-title=bn:১৪১ ব্যক্তি ও প্রতিষ্ঠান কর কার্ড পেল|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/business/১৪১-ব্যক্তি-ও-প্রতিষ্ঠান-কর-কার্ড-পেল|access-date=2021-11-25|work=Prothom Alo|date=25 November 2021 |language=bn}}
- Bangladesh Television National TV Debate Champion, represented Suhrawardy Hall Debate Team, BUET, 1990.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
- Ahsanur Rahman Gold Medal for the Masters of Architecture, from BUET in 1997.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
- IAB Design Award for design excellence in Multi-Family Housing,1998.{{Cite web |title=IAB - Institute of Architects Bangladesh {{!}} IAB Design Awards |url=http://www.iab.com.bd/Site/Award?aid=2 |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=www.iab.com.bd}}
- Citation Award-winning entry, organized by IAB and PICL Authority in 1998.
- Berger Excellence in Architecture Award{{Cite journal |date=2010 |title=5th Annual Excellence in Librarianship Award |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/e507452011-003 |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=PsycEXTRA Dataset|doi=10.1037/e507452011-003 |url-access=subscription }} for designing Peoples Insurance Bhaban, 2007.{{Cite web|title=Peoples Insurance Bhaban |url=https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-projects/fcfg/peoples-insurance-bhaban-project-pages.html|access-date=2021-06-23|website=worldarchitecture.org}}
- Global Brand Excellence Award, 2007.
- Honourable Mention for Designing Liberation War Museum, Dhaka, November 2009.
- Holcim Green Built Award for designing Grameenphone Corporate Headquarters (GPHouse), 2010.{{Cite web |title=Short Bio of Mohammad Foyez Ullah |url=https://volumezeroltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Short-Bio-of-Architect-Mohammad-Foyez-Ullah.pdf |website=Volumezero Limited}}
Personal life
After graduation in 1993, he married Morsheda Nasmeen, who formerly worked for BRAC until 1995 and later joined and co-founded the same enterprises as Foyez.
References
External links
- {{commons-inline}}
- [http://www.volumezeroltd.com/ Official Site]
{{Architecture of Bangladesh}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ullah, Mohammad Foyez}}
Category:Bangladeshi architects
Category:Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology alumni