Shahla Karim Kabir
Senior Partner/Chairman
Studio Morphogenesis Ltd
Shahla Karim Kabir is an acknowledged architect and the Senior Partner/Chairman of Studio Morphogenesis Ltd, an architectural firm she established ten years ago. Shahla has earned her firm multiple awards, demonstrating expertise in multi-family residential design and winning a prestigious competition for the new IDCOL headquarters in Agargaon. Her vision pushes boundaries through innovative design concepts and construction methods.
Shahla was born while her father served as a young foreign service officer of the erstwhile Pakistan government in Tehran, Iran. “Following his defection and the establishment of Bangladesh’s first mission in Washington DC, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman appointed him as Foreign Secretary in 1972 during which he had a major influence on the country’s foreign policy. Shahla’s childhood was marked by constant relocation as her parents represented both Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Unfortunately, her father, the late Enayet Karim, died while she was young, pushing her mother, Mrs. Hosne Ara Karim, to enter the Foreign Service to provide a similar lifestyle for Shahla and her sister. Enayet Karim’s reputation as a great officer and Foreign Secretary, particularly during the formative years of Bangladesh’s foreign policy under Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, left an indelible mark on Shahla.
Shahla was raised with strong nationalistic and patriotic beliefs by her parents, even though she spent a large portion of her childhood and youth living abroad. The desire to make Bangladesh her permanent home remained a constant in her mind, a sentiment that would shape her future choices.
Shahla spent several years in the USA during her primary and secondary schooling before pursuing her passion for architecture in Australia. She successfully graduated from The University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Architecture. She has worked as an apprentice in a firm in the middle of my education in Canberra. And then with Bashirul Haque in Dhaka. Her husband, having also spent many years overseas for education, first in boarding school in Scotland and then for higher education in the US, shared a common vision with Shahla. As a couple, they decided to return home, settling in Bangladesh to raise their family close to relatives, immersed in their own culture, traditions, and religion.
She took some time at first to get used to living in the busy town of Dhaka and to being at home. As her family grew, she transitioned into freelance architecture work, enabling her to balance a career with the responsibilities of motherhood. During this period, Shahla worked with renowned firms and catered to a diverse clientele, including local and international businesses such as Occidental and Cairn PLC Ltd in the oil and gas sector.
After gaining valuable experience with a renowned firm, Shahla embarked on a new phase of her career as a freelance architect when her children were born and growing. During this period, she strategically chose a flexible work approach that allowed her to balance a thriving career while providing close supervision and care for her children. Her clientele during this time included both local and international businesses, including prominent names in the oil and gas industry like Occidental and Cairn PLC Ltd.
As her children entered their older years, Shahla took the next step in her professional journey by establishing her first practice as a partnership in Dhanmondi. While she enjoyed the professional fulfillment of working outside the home, maintaining a balance that allowed her to be present during her children’s critical formative years remained a priority.
Now, as her children have grown and moved on to pursue their own paths, Shahla has reached the pinnacle of her career, serving as the Senior Partner in the firm she founded a decade ago. The firm has earned a reputable name in the market, boasting a diverse portfolio of projects with several private and corporate clients. Shahla’s journey exemplifies her ability to navigate the various stages of her career with grace, dedication, and a commitment to both professional excellence and family values.
Beyond her architectural career, Shahla Karim Kabir is a woman of varied interests. She shares a passion for extensive travel with her husband, having explored different corners of the world. Additionally, Shahla actively engages in social welfare work, aspiring to contribute more to the betterment of her community and uplift the underprivileged.
Shahla Karim Kabir’s life story demonstrates her firmness, commitment, and inventive spirit in the architectural profession. Shahla’s path, which began with her early years being molded by a life in the foreign service and ended with her establishment and successful business as an architect,demonstrates her professional achievements as well as her dedication to family, community, and social progress.
