Saraf Nawer wins Inspireli Award for Sustainable Oceanarium Design

Saraf Nawer, a student from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Bangladesh, has made waves in the international architectural community. Her visionary project, "Tale of an Ocean: Oceanarium Complex at Sonadia," has not only earned her the prestigious 9th annual Inspireli Award in the architecture category but has also ignited a conversation about sustainable design and environmental conservation in Bangladesh.

Nawer's project, a proposed oceanarium on Sonadia Island, an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in Bangladesh, is a testament to her commitment to creating structures harmonising with nature. Her design emphasises sustainability, energy efficiency, and resilience, ensuring the oceanarium can withstand the island's challenging climate while minimising its ecological footprint.

"If I want to talk about first inspiration," Nawer explained, "I used to work with features like sustainability and energy efficiency in academic projects from the beginning. I tried to utilise as much as I could. As a student, I tried my best to address the energy efficiency and environmental aspects in every project I worked on."

Nawer's inspiration for this ambitious undertaking stemmed from her academic pursuits. When she learnt about the opportunity to work on a project in Sonadia, an ecologically critical area, she saw it as a chance to apply her knowledge and contribute to a meaningful cause.

"My main idea was involving the 'Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA)," Nawer said. "Due to the environment changing rapidly, there might come a day when we have to work with 'Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA)'; we might have to work on building projects in these areas. I chose this project to explore which designs or configurations will allow us to build architectures in 'Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA)' which won't be invasive and will remain in a symbiosis with itself."

Nawer's approach to the project was rooted in a deep understanding of the delicate balance between human development and environmental preservation. She sought to create an oceanarium that would be visually soothing and serve as a model for sustainable architecture. Her design incorporates lightweight, easily assembled structures that withstand tidal surges, cyclones, and poor soil conditions, ensuring the oceanarium's longevity and resilience.

"The main challenge I faced academically was that such a project has rarely been a thesis project," Nawer admitted. "When I started working on it in 2022, the number of work and megaproject work on this site was deficient. So, I did not get the basic ideas that are needed, the basic technical details that are needed, and the resources that are needed as a student very easily."

Despite these challenges, Nawer persevered. She overcame the obstacles by researching extensively, seeking mentorship, and drawing on her creativity. "It was my academic struggle," she recalled. "The struggle that I faced with the project was that, while doing a mega project in such an ecologically critical area, I had to do something that would not harm nature at the same time but restore nature, and as an Oceanarium Complex it would be volumetrically and aesthetically pleasing. So that tourists go there, people go and learn something new."

Nawer's dedication and perseverance paid off. Her project not only impressed the jury of the Inspireli Awards but also garnered widespread recognition and acclaim. Martin Dudaško, chairman of the architecture category, praised the proposal for its "flawless" integration with the surrounding environment.

"The winning proposal is so well conceived and convincing that it is hard to imagine anything more appropriate for this Unique Location," Dudaško stated. "The way the proposed building and the associated structures blend with its surroundings is flawless."

Nawer's project has had a significant impact beyond academia. It serves as a powerful example of how sustainable architecture can be both beautiful and functional. It has inspired other students to explore similar projects and contributed to a growing body of knowledge on sustainable design in ecologically critical areas.

"Since this was an academic project, let's share our contribution to the student community," Nawer said. "After I worked on the project, many university students started doing theses on similar projects. I think this is a great start. The more work is done on this project, the more sustainable and energy-efficient design solutions will be available."

As Nawer embarks on her professional career, she is eager to continue exploring the possibilities of sustainable architecture. Her long-term goal is to contribute to developing innovative design solutions that can help address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

"About future or long-term plans, I just started my professional journey," Nawer said. "I am very new in this field. Yes, my academic or Bachelor's of Architecture journey is over, but my professional journey is just beginning. So, I am still exploring the long-term plans. My future plan is to learn a lot, increase my knowledge of architecture, develop my own philosophy and learn as much as I can everywhere."

Nawer's "Tale of an Ocean" is more than just a design project; it is a vision for a future where human development and environmental protection coexist harmoniously. Her work is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and a commitment to sustainability.

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