Asif Salman, an architectural photographer, artist, and entrepreneur based in Bangladesh, has cultivated a career characterized by curiosity, creativity, and a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. With a background in architecture, Asif captures award-winning designs and explores the intersections of art, design, and innovation, earning recognition on an international scale. 

 

Over the past ten years, more than 400 architectural projects have been documented by Asif. Among these are the Friendship Hospital Satkhira, which received the prestigious RIBA International Prize in 2021, the Green Field Factory by Nakshabid Architects, and the Shah Muhammad Mohsin Mausoleum by Sthapotik, both recipients of RIBA awards in 2024. Asif has also collaborated with the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022, further enhancing his professional reputation. His work has been featured in renowned publications, including ArchDaily, Architectural Digest, Domus, Dezeen, and Time Magazine. Recognition as a TEDx speaker in 2021 and the acquisition of one of his photographs by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) mark key milestones in his career. 

 

Asif’s photographic practice focuses on the human elements of architecture, illustrating how spaces reflect cultural identities, foster connections, and adapt to daily life. His architectural education, combined with an artistic vision, ensures that his work resonates as accessible and relatable, celebrating creativity and resilience. 

 

As an educator, Asif has extended his expertise into academia. He served as a visiting faculty member at Bangladesh University from 2021 to 2022 and is currently teaching at  Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST). Through his teaching, he encourages future architects and photographers to merge technical proficiency with artistic storytelling, emphasizing the transformative power of imagery in understanding architecture. 

 

Entrepreneurship has been a cornerstone of Asif’s journey, reflected in creating ventures across creative and technological fields. Xunction, a creative hub, was founded to unite artists and thinkers, while DOT: Art and Architecture Bangladesh, the first art and architecture magazine in the country, was co-founded during his third year of architecture school. Choshmawala.com, an e-commerce platform for eyewear, was launched but later paused to focus on other projects. Slaarchman Studio, established in 2018, has become the leading architectural photography studio in Bangladesh. In 2021, Asif founded Buno.Studio, an animation and VFX studio focused on storytelling through digital media. In 2022, he co-founded eDecor.com.bd, a decor-focused e-commerce platform that is now expanding with its own product line. He is also a co-founder of Nirnoy.AI, a healthcare startup leveraging AI for transformative solutions in healthcare delivery. 

 

Asif has collaborated with renowned architects such as Marina Tabassum, Rafiq Azam, and Kashef Chowdhury, contributing to significant architectural projects and international exhibitions. His work has been recognized by ArchDaily, naming him one of its "25 Emerging Architectural Photographers" in 2021, and by Loop Magazine, which included him in its "100 Most Inspiring Architecture Photographers" in 2022. 

 

He has also contributed to notable publications, including Marina Tabassum Architecture: My Journey, a comprehensive exploration of Marina Tabassum’s architectural work, and Rising Oceans & Spaces That Care, which delves into the complexities of the Friendship Hospital by Kashef Chowdhury / URBANA, featuring photography by Asif alongside celebrated photographer Helene Binet. 

 

Guided by a belief in the transformative power of creativity, compassion, and kindness, Asif Salman seeks to make a positive impact through photography, entrepreneurship, and education. He is currently preparing his first solo art book and exhibition, which will explore new dimensions of storytelling through photography and mixed media. Opportunities for collaboration on creative ventures, educational initiatives, or projects that inspire and drive meaningful change are always welcomed, with the aim of building a brighter, more innovative future.