Bangladesh: Green Field Factory, a seven-storey textile manufacturing facility in Rangpur, Bangladesh, has won the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Prize, recognising its approach to sustainable architecture and worker-centred industrial design.
Designed by Bangladeshi architectural firm Nakshabid Architects, the factory spans more than 144,000 square feet and integrates landscaped courtyards, pond-lined walkways, planted facades and green verandas into its industrial environment. According to RIBA, the project demonstrates how nature can be incorporated into workplaces rather than treating industrial buildings solely as spaces for production.
Opened in 2017, the factory draws inspiration from traditional Bengali homesteads, where courtyards, ponds and vegetation form an integral part of the built environment. The design translates these regional elements into a contemporary industrial setting, creating spaces that support both manufacturing activities and workers’ well-being.
A key factor in the jury’s appreciation was the facility’s focus on approximately 5,000 employees, most of whom are women. Worker amenities include a rooftop daycare centre, an on-site medical facility and shaded areas for social interaction. A large statue of a female figure at the entrance symbolises women’s empowerment.
Four floors of the seven-storey building accommodate textile production, while the remaining spaces include packaging operations and warehousing. RIBA noted that employees frequently use the factory’s amenities with their families outside working hours, highlighting the building’s wider social role.
The award also brings attention to the importance of safe, dignified and inclusive working environments in Bangladesh’s textile sector. The industry continues to face scrutiny over factory conditions, particularly following the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse, which killed approximately 1,100 people.
Green Field Factory offers an alternative approach to industrial architecture by combining functional requirements with landscape integration, regional architectural references and employee-focused facilities. Its recognition underscores the potential of workplace design to contribute to environmental quality, social well-being and more humane industrial environments.
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