Abstract:
The thesis originated from the intention to examine a key architect of this country and his
practical enterprises in the light of investigations whether his philosophies and practical
endeavours have any bearing on contemporary thought and influence current theory and
practices of architecture. Work of Muzharul Islam as case studies, it tries to explore the
conceptual framework bearing on his own quest for relevancy and roots in architecture. In
conclusion, the thesis shows that, despite the shorter period of his active involvement in
the profession, the work of Muzharul Islam demonstrated an advancement of framing
concepts derived from the vocabulary of certain contemporary western masters towards a
more personal style. At the most abstract level, this advancement can be stated as a
resultant effect of a dialectic process reflected through a progression of experiments
carried out from his earlier work to the work of the late phase. This dialectic process can
be summarised as a philosophical devise of 'causality' theory: having two factors acting
together as a 'cause', and its 'effect' as a resultant phenomenon. The 'cause' factors are:
1) the knowledge of Modem Architecture in his formative period in the western countries
and 2) the knowledge of adaptive techniques, he contrived in the practical application.
The resultant 'effect' of the 'cause' shows that the architectural value in Muzharul Islam's
work exists in the synthesis of modernist inspiration and the inspiration emanating from
his attitude towards the creation of a unity in mediating the conflicts and contradictions
between modernist and traditionalist rules of expression.
