Ridwan Noor Nafis, a lecturer and recent graduate from the Department of Architecture at BUET, has been selected as one of the finalists in the Inspireli Awards 2025, one of the world’s largest student architecture competitions, with 1,511 submissions from 77 countries.

His thesis project, titled Urban Tune-Up: Architectural Packages for Block-Based Rooftop Spaces as Containers of Public Life, envisions transforming Dhaka’s underutilised rooftops into a network of elevated public spaces. The project proposes modular architectural units that create new opportunities for community interaction, greenery, and social life in the city’s dense urban fabric.

Set in the Karwan Bazar–Farmgate area, the design aligns with future transit-oriented development plans and addresses key urban challenges such as heat islands, waterlogging, and the lack of accessible green space.

Supervised by Dr Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed and Maherul Kader Prince, Ridwan’s work is one of only two projects from Bangladesh to reach the finalist stage. The final results will be announced in October 2025.