Kashef Chowdhury co-founded the Dhaka-based architecture studio URBANA in 1995 and has led it as sole principal since 2005. He selects commissions carefully, dedicating significant time and research to each project in order to develop contextually and socially grounded responses. URBANA’s work spans a range of typologies and scales, including cultural, educational, healthcare, industrial, religious, residential, and climate-related projects—many of which have been developed pro bono.Key works include the Independence Monument and Museum in Dhaka, won through a national competition in 1997; the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha; the Friendship Hospital in Satkhira; Srihatta – Samdani Art Centre and Sculpture Park in Sylhet; and the new University of Liberal Arts campus in Dhaka. Chowdhury received the AR+D Emerging Architecture Award from The Architectural Review (2012), the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2016), and the RIBA International Prize (2021).