The S AM Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel, Switzerland, in collaboration with Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, organised an exhibition on Bangladesh’s contemporary architecture called “Bengal Stream: The Vibrant Architecture Scene of Bangladesh.” This was the first major and extensive architectural exhibition on Bangladesh in Europe. Opened on December 1, 2017,and ran up to May 6, 2018, the exhibition brought European viewers the work of over thirty architects from Bangladesh representing the best, innovative and creative work of the country. Following the venue in Basel, the exhibition travelled to other key cities and museums in Europe.
Swiss architect Niklaus Graber was commissioned by the Swiss Architecture Museum to be the lead curator of the exhibition with Viviane Ehrensberger and Andreas Ruby as co-curators. The exhibition was accompanied by an educational programme aimed towards the general public that will highlight the vibrant culture and architecture of Bangladesh. Additionally, a catalogue was published in cooperation with the noted publisher Christoph Merian Verlag, Basel.
The goal of the exhibition was to introduce the public (in Switzerland and Europe) to Bangladesh’s built space, both rural and urban. Richly illustrated, the exhibition and other productions will provide an understanding of the cultural origins of the modern and contemporary architecture of Bangladesh, and its vibrant present. Reporting on the exhibition occurred in both offline and online media. Articles in daily newspapers and specialist magazines guaranteed international reporting. S AM’s international networking with other institutions and written exchange with national and international partners also guaranteed publicity that goes beyond Switzerland.

PARTNERS
S AM Swiss Architecture Museum
S AM Swiss Architecture Museum is the leading institution for the promotion of contemporary architecture in Switzerland. Centrally located in Basel and in the immediate vicinity of numerous other cultural institutions, S AM invigorates and shapes Switzerland’s architectural discourse with its programme, and seeks to bridge the gap between professional discourse and the wider public.

Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements
Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements is now a recognised forum for the study and design of the environment in Bangladesh. Bengal Institute presents a platform for developing ideas and programmes to improve the qualities of architecture, landscapes and settlements. Innovative programmes of the Institute integrates architectural and design research, investigation of cities and settlements, and the study of larger regions and landscapes. Bengal Institute also has an energetic public programme that raises awareness of architectural and urban issues to the larger public.