The evolution of infrastructure industry has been a result of adoption of new technologies, inventions, and advanced architectural practices with specialization. The pursuit of feasible, comfortable, and smart architecture in a bid to meet the contemporary needs has given birth to marvel designs shaped by technological advancements and artistic brilliance. The rapid urbanization across the world is impelling architects to utilize their abilities and resources to support the infrastructural transformation.

When the global practice of infrastructure is undergoing a transition, Nazli Hussain, CEO of Praxis Architects has taken an unconventional turn through sustainable architectural solutions to aid in the transition. And while she leverages her skills and knowledge in chalking out modernised and environmentally responsible green building solutions for the clients, she is also steering her company towards growth and scalability, being instrumental in raising sustainable green buildings across Bangladesh. Praxis Architects is a well-known name in the architecture industry today for its smart approach towards designing. Women Entrepreneur India engaged in a conversation with Architect Nazli Hussain to know more about her role in the organization and the leadership journey she has embarked on.

Could you tell us about your expertise in various areas of architecture and prior industry experience?

Currently, I am working on different types of green and sustainable projects, such as Highrise Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Hospital, Hotels, Masterplan of large-scale projects etc. As an architect, I am always keen for any kind of opportunity to design sustainable architecture. So, from the very beginning, when I was in my Bachelor's program in architecture, sustainability was only an unexplored theory for Bangladesh. But I started working and researching on sustainability to explore all the areas of my interest. I graduated in 2007 from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). To learn more about Sustainability in Practice, I am having my Master’s Degree from Boston Architectural College, Boston, US, forMasters In Sustainable Design Studies.

Thereafter, I started working as a graduate assistant and lecturer in two universities and continued it up to two years after my graduation. By the time, I was starting my journey as an entrepreneur as well and founded Praxis architects. Initially it had been a prolonged struggle to get premier companies on board. Hence, I started by taking up interior projects of commercial offices, different banks, and other financial institutions. I was preparing myself for the future to find the area of specialization related to sustainable architectureat the same time.

As I needed to learn more about construction of architecture, I got chance to join a program in BRAC University for construction management. Later, I worked with some corporate banks and commercial offices and strengthened the presence of Praxis in the architectural space in Bangladesh. From working as a project manager for British Council Dhaka Liaison Office, at Fuller Road to getting associated with US Green Building Council, it was quite a journey to cherish for a lifetime.

What was the motive behind venturing out on your own and establishing Praxis Architects? What was the underlying idea behind the founding of the company?

During my struggling days, I was having a hard time to fetch good clients and I was working on commercial interior. My clients suggested me to start a company so that they could transfer all their projects to me. Thus, with the support of good clients, Praxis was incepted. It all happened unplanned and I realized in the first two to three years that entrepreneurship is an enjoyable journey despite all the difficulties that come along. The passion for seeking out new ways of sustainability and sharing the ideas among a team construct the core of Praxis. We have only one office till now in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. We extended our operation in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Sylhet and other big cities in Bangladesh.

"The passion for seeking out new ways of sustainability and sharing the ideas among a team construct the core of praxis"

As a founder and the CEO of the company, what are the various roles and responsibilities that you shoulder on day-today tasks or operational aspects?

It has been 15 years now of being in the industry and I have to perform multiple responsibilities in my organization. From managing the clients to getting projects, making a team for the projects and guidelines, playing a pivotal role in the conceptual phase, marketing and everything, I have done it all. Sometimes I have to put my hands on financial proposals in terms of negotiating and solving the difficulties in implementing projects. There is a broad spectrum of responsibilities that I take up for Praxis architects along with the support of my core team members.

Tell us about the challenges that are associated with your role as a founder and as an architect, and what measures do you take to tackle those challenges that you encounter and also how do you overcome them?

One of the major challenges that I had to face in the early years was the societal mindset. Architecture is a place dominated by men. Being a woman, I was presumed to be an amateur in the field. So, it took a long time to carve out a place in the industry and make a name for myself and my company. Now coming with new concept like green and sustainable architecture had another set of challenges for there was not much awareness of it among the people back then. It was difficult to maintain a straight pathway towards the goal with clients of fluctuating mindset. Moreover, there are still not that many facilities available regarding bank investment for women, especially if it is a service-oriented venture, rather than a product specific one. We overcame these challenges by our quality of work, using our expertise in sustainability. As we spread the information about our specialization in Architecture, clients automatically valued our way of working with a focus area.

What would your advice be to women and the other younger generation who are aspiring to foray into the business landscape and venture out on their own and start their own entrepreneurial journeys?

There has been a huge shift of mindset in the last 15 years. The industry has become more inclusive in nature. The women in the architecture field need to push the horizons of their knowledge and utilize it in the work to gain experience. The process of learning must be continual as one can only thrive in this profession based on how much they are getting themselves enlightened. And it is also critical to shape their confidence and creative capabilities if they want to act on their visions and wish to actualize it.

Nazli Hussain, Ceo, Praxis Architects

Being an entrepreneur, I am always curious about other business leaders’ ideas and perspectives, observing what they bring to the table. There are many leaders whom I follow as my inspiration as an entrepreneur. One of them is Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of BRAC, in Bangladesh. But if I have to take names among Architects who inspired me, they would be Zaha Hadid and Tadao Ando, as I am deeply fascinated by their pathbreaking innovative architecture.