On a rainy day in 2004, the late sculptor Syed Abdullah Khalid took me to an architectural firm located at the Bangla Motor in the city. This was my first encounter with the distinguished socio-cultural activist, art critic, and architect, Professor Shamsul Wares. Following our introduction, I perceived him as a person of considerable intellect and logical reasoning, genuinely secular and a deep thinker. His passion and introverted nature led me to notice how he consistently avoided human distractions, publicity, media attention, and the pursuit of fame. Wares possesses exceptional analytical abilities and has a tendency to articulate his preferences clearly.

Despite being a staunch atheist, Wares advocates for equal rights for individuals of all faiths. He has consistently spoken out against social injustice, inequality, inhumanity, religious intolerance, and illegal actions.

My perception of him has consistently been that of an individual who cherishes life and has a deep appreciation for art, literature, music, photography, and cinema. The specifics of Shamsul Wares' daily activities will naturally fluctuate, depending on the season. Nevertheless, most of his days are likely to include many, if not all, of the following activities-teaching, enjoying films, engaging in academic reading, writing creatively, reflecting on various topics, participating in interviews, and contributing to meetings, seminars, conferences, and workshops as a senior academic and one of Bangladesh's prominent multidimensional figures. Despite nearing eighty years of age, he shows no signs of diminishing energy.

Wares has a strong aversion to pretentiousness, and his articles and presentations lack any form of exaggeration. Upon examining his writings, one can observe that they are predominantly precise, reflective, and contemplative. He is candid and courageous in articulating the truth.

Shamsul Wares stands as one of the most distinguished figures in the realm of contemporary architecture in Bangladesh. Additionally, he is a prominent art critic, social and cultural activist. His innovative and refreshing perspective on architecture sets him apart in our nation. His buildings are recognised for their modern aesthetic and a tendency towards experimentalism. Common characteristics of his architectural designs include unobstructed views and the effortless flow of air and light. Most importantly, his creations embody a modern essence and possess a harmonious quality. He adopts a balanced and logical approach to spatial utilisation.

January 21 commemorates the 80th anniversary of Professor Wares' birth. He served as a professor in the Architecture Department at the Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (BUET). Although naturally reserved, he emerged as a vocal liberal intellectual during the 1990s, opposing reactionary nationalism and religious fundamentalism in Bangladesh. He is recognised as one of the leading architects of the 1970s, a period characterised by significant achievements and innovative ideas. In terms of content, material, form, and shape, he can be regarded as a modern architect.

Wares has designed many residential, institutional and public buildings. Outside his freelancing career, he served as president of The Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB) for two terms and has led the Bangladesh delegation at five ARCASIA meetings. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Architectural Education by IAB in 2009.

Wares has attended as juror and speaker in many seminars, art and architecture exhibitions, competitions, architecture biennial and triennials in our country and abroad. He frequently writes for the artists' brochures, art and architecture journals and creative publications. He was also featured in the acclaimed documentary "My Architect: A son's Journey", based on Louis I Kahn.

Wares has also served as technical advisor to a number of Bangladesh Government Organisations including the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Dhaka University, Export Promotion Bureau, etc. He has been a member of international design competition juries including Architect of the Year Award in New Delhi, ARCASIA Award for Architecture, CAA 7th International Student Design Competition. He has delivered papers at several International Seminars in Asia and beyond.

Wares is a Bangladeshi born architect who worked under Louis I. Kahn, the American architect and his associate, Mazharul Islam, the father of Bengal Architecture. He is the Dean of School of Science and Technology, State University of Bangladesh, Bangladesh University, and an architectural consultant at Shisrikkhu Sthapati in Dhaka.

Wares has designed many residential, institutional and public buildings during the Pakistani regime. Expanding renown of Wares got him the opportunity to be the juror of the Architect of the Year Award (AYA) in New Delhi (1997 and 1999), ARCASIA Award for Architecture in Dhaka (2003), CAA 7th International Student Design Competition (2006), etc. He was also a member of ARCASIA and head of the Bangladeshi delegation at a number of annual conferences arranged by CONGRESS AND FORUMS.

The writer is an art critic and cultural curator.