Khudi Bari—meaning “tiny house” in Bengali—is a modular building system made from structural bamboo and steel joints. Developed by Marina Tabassum Architects, it serves as a flood-resistant shelter for the landless populations who live in the transient sand beds that emerge in the rivers of Bangladesh. Each module is easy to assemble and can be combined to create communal spaces. To illustrate its assembly, Tabassum’s office created a demountable “community engagement model” for on-site workshops. In 2022 Tabassum commissioned architect and artist Arinjoy Sen to depict the construction of a Khudi Bari camp. Inspired by traditional, cloth-based patachitra painting, Sen created a silk triptych that was hand-stitched by the all-female collective SHE Kantha.

Gallery label from

2024

Architectural firm MTA (Marina Tabassum Architects)
Medium Digital image
Credit Committee on Architecture and Design Funds
Object number 161.2024.5
Department Architecture & Design

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