About
Founding Story
The Founding Story of Centre for Building Design (CBD)
The Centre for Building Design (CBD) was born from the shared vision and complementary expertise of Mujtaba Zia Uddin and Architect Mahmudul Islam Forhad. Mujtaba, a passionate interior architect with over 12 years of professional experience, sought to create a platform that could bridge professional practice, education, and innovative design. His journey began under the mentorship of Architect Forhad, where he honed his skills in architectural design, space planning, and sustainable materials.
Architect Mahmudul Islam Forhad, a BUET graduate with nearly 25 years of academic and professional excellence, recognized Mujtaba’s talent and ambition early on. As his lifelong mentor and a fellow visionary, Forhad brought deep architectural insight, global exposure, and a dedication to nurturing the next generation of designers. Together, they envisioned an institution that would not only deliver high-quality design solutions but also foster education, mentorship, and professional growth for aspiring architects and interior designers.
Founded on principles of creativity, integrity, and collaboration, CBD now stands as a beacon of design excellence in Bangladesh, offering architectural and interior design services alongside education programs through CBD Academy. Their partnership blends experience and innovation, creating a space where ideas flourish, talent is nurtured, and design transforms into meaningful experiences.
Mahmudul Islam Forhad
Principal Architect
Faculty, Department of Architecture | Asia Pacific University
Fellow Member, Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB)
Architect Mahmudul Islam Forhad is a distinguished graduate of BUET’s Department of Architecture, bringing nearly 25 years of academic and professional excellence to the field. As a long-serving faculty member at Asia Pacific University, he has been instrumental in nurturing and guiding the next generation of architects in Bangladesh.
His professional journey began with Concord Group, contributing to landmark projects early in his career. Over the years, he has excelled in national competitions, including recognition in the “Affordable Housing” competition by Build Bangladesh. A Fellow Member of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), Architect Forhad combines local expertise with global exposure, having advanced his practice through masterclasses with internationally acclaimed architects, including Glenn Murcutt and Uttam Kumar Saha.
Widely respected as a jury member across architecture schools, his intellectual rigor, sharp criticism, and philosophical insights have left a lasting impression on students and peers alike. He was the faculty where Mujtaba Zia Uddin began his architectural education and continues as his lifelong mentor. Together, they co-founded the Centre for Building Design (CBD), combining professional expertise, education, and innovation in architecture and interior design.
Recognized for his dedication, integrity, and visionary design philosophy, Architect Forhad remains a leading mentor, thought leader, and creative force in contemporary Bangladeshi architecture.
Mujtaba Zia Uddin
Chief Designer
With over 15 years of professional experience, Mujtaba Zia Uddin is the visionary founder of the Centre for Building Design (CBD). His distinctive journey into interior architecture began uniquely—with securing first place in the admission test for a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Jahangirnagar University, a campus masterfully designed by Bangladesh’s pioneering architect, Mazharul Islam. This early immersion in modernist architecture, coupled with a scientific understanding of materials, continues to inform Mujtaba’s design philosophy.
Driven by a deep passion for spatial design and human-centered environments, he later completed a comprehensive Interior Design course from AFD, which laid the foundation for his transition into the design world. He co-founded CBD alongside Architect Mahmudul Islam Forhad, a respected academic and faculty member at Asia Pacific University. A few years later, Mujtaba joined AFD himself as a faculty member, nurturing future designers and contributing actively to the local design community.
His commitment to mastery led him to undertake a prestigious masterclass under the legendary Bangladeshi architect Uttam Kumar Saha, further sharpening his architectural sensibilities. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture from Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology (SMUCT)—one of the few academic institutions in the country offering a specialized program in this discipline.
To stay at the forefront of global design and innovation, Mujtaba has completed over 27 international certificate programs from world-renowned institutions. These include Contract Law from Harvard University, Financial Management from Purdue, and a diverse array of design, business, and strategy courses from MIT, University of Queensland, and others.
Mujtaba’s core strengths lie in the seamless integration of architectural form and interior function, with specializations in space planning, custom joinery design, and sustainable material application. His versatile portfolio includes modern corporate offices, refined residences, and boutique hospitality spaces—each reflecting thoughtful detail, contextual sensitivity, and user-centric design.
As a lifelong learner, educator, and design mentor, Mujtaba blends hands-on leadership with a collaborative spirit. He remains committed to advancing the interior architecture profession in Bangladesh and inspiring the next generation of designers through knowledge, innovation, and purpose-driven design.