A Woman With a Vision

Mehnaz Faisal - a pretty, energetic, articulate young British Bangladeshi woman. Not JUST a pretty face though! A trained, practicing architect! She did her Bachelors in Architecture from the University of Newcastle, Australia; her Masters in Architecture from the prestigious Parsons School of Design, USA.  She has an Associate of Applied Sciences in Interior Design from the same institution. She came back to Bangladesh after her studies and formed her own company. WAY before 30, and already she is the Managing Director and CEO!    

Mehnaz has worked on many varied projects, both in the East and the West. One of her more interesting projects was when she was a senior designer and project manager for the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in USA. Among other things, “I really enjoyed working on the product display designs”, she says.  Most of her projects reflect her inner design vision, balancing with the needs and styles of her clients.  Whenever possible, she guides the design process to a more minimalist and modern style. The simplicity and functionality of the Japanese style inspires her. She loves neutrals like beige, black, grey and white. She really enjoys coming up with modern, dramatic solutions to a clients’ needs. A favourite project was the Habib Bank in Chittagong. Without distorting the needs and look of a bank, she designed a space which is modern, spacious yet serene, with its semi-domed ceiling, judicious use of water, and use of transparent and reflective surfaces such as glass and steel. A very functional, dramatic and visually pleasing space!

But there is more to this young woman!  Mehnaz is very interested in social work. She and her family are very involved in providing micro-credit to build up the infra-structure in their village home in Barisal, andemancipate women, both urban and rural. “A very important family motto is ‘Serve the People’, and empowerment of women is very important to us and to me.  I really feel we MUST give back to our community” she says.  Opening an orphanage and a dog-kennel is a future project she has in mind. Yes that’s right, a dog-kennel!  A dog-lover and dog-owner, she really wants to do something involving dogs.  Research shows how rehabilitation benefits through the caring of animals. “By having an orphanage with a dog-kennel, I would be helping the children feel needed, giving them a purpose and the animals get taken loving care of.  Perfect  solution!”  Perfect, indeed. She also wants to be more environmentally responsible, by the continued use of environmentally friendly materials. She has a clear vision of what she wants to do, what she is all about and how she wants to make the world a better place. Unlike most of us, she is NOT daunted by how little she can do as an individual, but confident that she CAN and WILL do her part. And that, readers, is Mehnaz Faisal - a Woman with a Vision.