md ehsan alam MUD \ B.Arch Graduate Student Yale School of Architecture New Haven, CT, United States
portfolio
ehsanxalam@gmail.com Website \ LinkedIn \ ORCID
E D U CAT I O N Master of Environmental Design 2026 - 2028 United States
Yale School of Architecture Post Professional Degree Research Focus: Climate Change, Coastal Ecologies, Salinity. Expected Graduation: Spring 2028
Master of Urban Design 2023 - 2024 United States
Taubman College, University of Michigan Post Professional Degree; CGPA: 3.98 / 4.00 Research Focus: Intermediate Urbanisms, Hydrology, Governance Graduated with Excellence in MUD Award
Bachelor of Architecture 2015 - 2021 Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Professional Degree; CGPA: 3.79 / 4.00 Language of Instruction: English; Research Focus: Spatial Thresholds, Informal Urbanism Graduated with Noman Award for Excellence in Design
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS Teaching Fellow Aug - Dec 2026 United States
Yale School of Architecture Led discussion sections, evaluated student work, and supported the development of student assignments across two courses. ARCH 4294: Reckoning Environmental Uncertainty with Prof. Anthony Acciavatti and Alp Demiroglu (co Teaching Fellow). ARCH 4900: Senior Research Colloquium with Prof. Kyle Dugdale.
Research Associate Feb 2026 - Present United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan Regional research on priority fish and wildlife species and on the operation and maintenance of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) across Southeast Michigan. with Kathy Velikov, María Arquero de Alarcón, and Lara Treemore Spears Role includes: Remote Sensing, Cartography, Urban Analysis, Literature Review, Ecological Research, Illustration, Dissemination, Fieldwork, Documentation.
Research Assistant Feb 2025 - Jan 2026 United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan Contributing to a Multi-Discplinary Planning Project titled ‘Integrating Nature-Based Solutions into a Comprehensive Stormwater Strategy for Southeast Michigan’. Landuse Visualization Team with Kathy Velikov (Co-PI) + María Arquero de Alarcón + Geoffrey Thün. Role includes: Remote Sensing, Cartography, Urban Analysis, Literature Review, Dissemination, Conducting Workshops with Partner Advisors, Documentation.
Research Associate Aug - Dec 2024 United States
Hydrology, Land Cover & Climate Change Lab, LSA, University of Michigan Supervisor: Jessica Fayne Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis to explore urbanism and hydrology in secondary cities of Bangladesh. Guided, independent research.
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Instructional Aide Aug - Oct 2024 United States
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, LSA, University of Michigan EARTH 408: Introduction to GIS with Prof. Jessica Fayne + Ayesha Saeed (GSI) Lectures on Core Concepts, Lab Demonstrations, Curriculum Development.
Research Assistant Jun - Aug 2024 United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan Principal Investigator: María Arquero de Alarcón Compilation of student works for web dissemination, award submissions and journal publications for the Spring Studio titled ‘Struggles and Resistances in the South’, São Paulo, Brazil
Graduate Student Instructor Jan - May 2024 United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan ARCH 411: Becoming Digital with Prof. Ellie Abrons + Ana Milagros Hurtado Castro (GSI) Conducted course discussions and interactive workshops, evaluated and graded assignments, and provided individual consultation to support student learning.
Research Assistant Jan - Jun 2024 Michigan, United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan Principal Investigator: Gabriel Cuéllar + Athar Mufreh + Saylor Allen (RA) Installation titled ‘Property Ecologies’ for the exhibition: Big, Hot and Sticky, in Houston, Texas Role included Literature Review, Illustration & Model-Making
Lecturer 2022 - 2023 Dhaka, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Full time teaching at undergraduate level with departmental administrative responsibilities and research collaboration. Instructing: Design with Climate, Graphic Communication and foundational Design Studio courses.
Teaching Assistant 2021 - 2022 Dhaka, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Full time employment at undergraduate level with administrative and research related responsibilities, assisting in: Design Studios, Graphic Communication, Project Documentation and Student Consultation.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES Junior Architect 2021 - 2023 Bangladesh
arch.con Architects Part time architect working on task basis in Bangladesh. Responsibilities include design ideation, public consultation, construction document production, and implementation with site supervision. Selected Projects: Vacation House in Noakhali (2023); BATB Regional Office Complex in Rangpur (2022) Principal Architect: Mustasim M Khan
Associate Consultant 2021 - 2023 Bangladesh
Urban Co.Re. Part time consultant working on task basis in Bangladesh. Responsibilities include scoping, research, design ideation, public consultation, implementation with site supervision, project documentation and dissemination. Selected Projects: Canal Redevelopment Project in Singra (2021); Community Chapel in Phulbari (2022) Principal Consultant: Huraera Jabeen
Architectural Intern Jan - May 2019 India
Sangath, Vastu Shilpa Consultants Supervised by: Balkrishna Doshi + Rajeev Kathpalia Contributed to construction drawings for Nalanda University; co-organized the Habitat Design Studio in partnership with the University of Michigan; assisted in compiling documentation on Nalanda University and Smriti Van Memorial for publication, engaging in interdisciplinary design and research coordination.
AWARDS Leonard B. Willeke Portfolio Competition 2025, United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan Third Prize awarded for Best Portfolio in the Graduate Category, Portfolio titled ‘Not A Portfolio’.
MUD Academic Excellence Award 2024, United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan Awarded for consistent, excellent academic performance in the Master of Urban Design program, reflecting sustained engagement with coursework, intensive participation in studio, and the production of outstanding thesis research. 2 \ 6
Excellence in Research Award 2022, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Awarded for valuable contribution to research through undergraduate thesis. Project: Negotiating Thresholds
Noman Award for Excellence in Design 2021, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Design award for best undergraduate thesis titled, ‘Negotiating Thresholds’. Exploring the spatial thresholds of Dhaka
Excellence in Design Award 2020, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Awarded for highest score in Architectural Design Studio. Studio: ARC 502 (Year 5 Level 2); Fall 2020
Excellence in Design Award 2019, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Awarded for highest score in Architectural Design Studio. Studio: ARC 501 (Year 5 Level 1); Fall 2019
Excellence in Design Award 2019, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Awarded for highest score in Architectural Design Studio. Studio: ARC 402 (Year 4 Level 2); Summer 2019
Excellence in Design Award 2018, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Awarded for highest score in Architectural Design Studio. Studio: ARC 401 (Year 4 Level 1); Fall 2018
Rafiq Azam Travel Bursary 2018, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Travel scholarship awarded in a competition. Country of visit: Indonesia Documentation of journeying through the lenses of architecture, culture and geography.
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES Coastal Futures Cambridge University Press 2026
Alam, Ehsan, María Arquero de Alarcón, Geoffrey Thün, and Kathy Velikov. “Grounding Water: Integrated Methods for Nature Based Solutions in Great Lakes Urban Coastal Regions.” Cambridge Prisms: Coastal Futures, 2026, 1–40. https://doi.org/10.1017/cft.2026.10036.
P E E R R E V I E W E D C O N F E R E N C E P R E S E N TAT I O N S ACSA Intersections Conference 2026 Oct 2026 New York, United States
Alam, Md Ehsan. 2026. “Drawing Dry Cities in a Wet Delta: The Aesthetic of Aspiration in the Secondary City.” Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) 2026 Intersections Research Conference: Urban Design Matters, New York, New York, October 1–3, 2026.
CELA 2026 Annual Conference Mar 2026 Ohio, United States
Alam, Md Ehsan, María Arquero de Alarcón, and Kathy Velikov. 2026. “Nature Manufactured: Decoupling Flood Mitigation in the ‘Water Winter-Wonderland’ State.” Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) 2026 Annual Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 18–21, 2026.
EWRI LID Conference Mar 2026 Florida, United States
Velikov, Kathy, Md Ehsan Alam, Maria Arquero de Alarcón, et al. 2026. “Multi-Disciplinary Planning for Large-Scale Nature-Based Solutions for Stormwater Mitigation and Habitat Creation in SE Michigan.” EWRI Low Impact Development Conference, Jacksonville, Florida, March.
World Green Jabeen, Huraera, and Md Ehsan Alam. “Mimicry and Responsiveness in Urban Design: A Infrastructure Congress Case of a Public Open Space Development.” Presented at the World Green Infrastructure Sep 2024, New Zealand Congress, Auckland, New Zealand, September 3–5, 2024.
MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW Journal of Maps Taylor & Francis 2026
Alam, Ehsan. “Retracing A Violent Line: Scale, Aggregation, and the Making of Territorial Homogeneity in the 1947 Partition of Bengal.” Journal of Maps. (Under editorial review in the special issue ‘Maps of Conflict, Peace, and the Spaces In-Between’).
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PUBLISHED DESIGN PROJECTS KSRM Award for Future Architects 2024, Bangladesh
Negotiating Thresholds Publication of shortlisted undergraduate thesis projects for a nationwide academic award. Alam, Md Ehsan. “Negotiating Thresholds.” KSRM Award for Future Architects: Third Cycle
Sthapotya O Nirman 2021, Bangladesh
Negotiating Thresholds Publication of Undergraduate Research Thesis in a magazine. Published Online, March 2021 Link: https://sthapattya-o-nirman.com/en/2021/03/08/negotiating-thresholds/
Folio 2 2018, Bangladesh
Urban Design Studio and BRAC Museum of Development Publication of two academic projects from B.Arch in a student project compilation. Editors: Zainab F. Ali et. al. BRAC University Press, 2019. ISBN: 978-984-34-6172-8
INVITED LECTURES Projections & Layout 2025, United States
Introduction to GIS Class Lecture on Projection Systems in Cartography, Layout Design and Connotation of Projections. Instructor: Jessica Fayne, University of Michigan
Property & Partition 2024, United States
Introduction to GIS Class Lecture on Georeferencing as a method to trace historic events through the Partition of the Indian subcontinent. Instructor: Jessica Fayne, University of Michigan
Instruments of Democracy 2024, United States
Politics of Balance Public Lecture on the National Parliament Building of Bangladesh, University of Michigan Course: Politics of Balance. Instructor: Ana Morcillo Pallares, University of Michigan
Working In Mumbai 2022, Bangladesh
Angan Lecture Series Panelist in ‘Working in Mumbai’ by Rahul Mehrotra. Co-Panelist: Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury; Host: Fuad Hassan Mallick, BRAC University
INVITED REVIEWS Taubman College University of Michigan Winter 2026
Wallenberg Studio, Bachelor of Science in Architecture Final Review of two first year studios. Instructors: Dawn Gilpin and Charlie O’ Green + Ana Morcillo Pallares Engaged with concepts of speculative markets, modes of exchange and vertical design. Politics of Balance, Master of Architecture Final Presentation of Seminar Course. Instructor: Ana Morcillo Pallarés Engaged with themes of politics, aesthetics, and resurgence in ‘Insurgent Homes’.
Fall 2025
Institutions Studio, Master of Architecture Final Review of two first year studios. Instructors: Dawn Gilpin and Charlie O’ Green + Ana Morcillo Pallarés Engaged with concepts of speculative markets, modes of exchange and vertical design.
Summer 2025
ArcStart, Pre-College Architecture Program Final Presentation of ArcStart. Instructor: Saylor Allen. Engaged with concepts of community, and self-discovery in Detroit-focused collaborative design.
Fall 2024
Politics of Balance, Master of Architecture Final Presentation of Seminar Course. Instructor: Ana Morcillo Pallares. Engaged with themes of architecture’s political, cultural, and social agency, and memory.
Winter 2024
Thesis Studio, Master of Architecture Penultimate Thesis Review for ‘Non_Identical Studio’. Instructor: Ana Morcillo Pallares. Engaged with ecological agency, memorialization, climate adaptation, and urban transformation.
GSD Harvard University Spring 2025
Option Studio Final Reviews of ‘Navigating Korail’. Instructor: Fuad Hassan Mallick. Engaged with approaches to architectural and urban challenges in an informal urban setting. 4 \ 6
WORKSHOPS CONDUCTED Propositions Studio 2024, United States
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan Demonstrating NDWI Calculation using Satellite Imagery for Graduate Architecture + Urban Design students, University of Michigan
4° Encontro de Favelas e Ocupações 2024, Brazil
União dos Movimentos de Moradia (UMM) + Centro Gaspar Garcia de Direitos Humanos + Defensoria Pública do Estado de São Paulo + Peabiru Trabalhos Comunitários e Ambientais Organization, graphic production and logistical support for the 4° Encontro de Favelas e Ocupações, São Paulo (4th Meeting of Favelas and Occupations) Public Design Corps, University of Michigan
Graphics Consultation Workshop 2021 - 2023, Bangladesh
Department of Architecture, BRAC University Conductor of weekly ‘Graphics Consultation’ workshop for students of the Department of Architecture, BRAC University.
C O U R S E S TAU G H T Yale University
Teaching Fellow, Yale School of Architecture
Fall 2026
ARCH 4294
Reckoning Environmental Uncertainty (Seminar; Co-Taught)
ARCH 4900
Senior Research Colloquium (Seminar; Co-Taught)
University of Michigan
Instructional Aide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, LSA
Fall 2024
EARTH 408
Introduction to GIS (Theory + Lab Course; Co-Taught)
Graduate Student Instructor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Winter 2024
ARCH 411
Becoming Digital (Elective Course; Co-Taught)
BRAC University
Lecturer, Department of Architecture
Summer 2023
ARC 101 ARC 214 ARC 251 ARC 311
Design I (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Computer Graphics (Studio Course; Co-Taught) Design with Climate (Theory Course) Working Drawings I (Studio Course; Co-Taught)
Spring 2023
ARC 102 ARC 111 ARC 214 ARC 251 ARC 311
Design II (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Graphic Communication I (Studio Course; Co-Taught) Computer Graphics (Studio Course; Co-Taught) Design with Climate (Theory Course) Working Drawings I (Studio Course; Co-Taught)
Fall 2022
ARC 111 ARC 202 ARC 214 ARC 251
Graphic Communication I (Studio Course; Co-Taught) Design IV (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Computer Graphics (Studio Course; Co-Taught) Design with Climate (Theory Course)
Teaching Assistant, Department of Architecture Summer 2022
ARC 102 ARC 113 ARC 315
Design II (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Computer Aided Design (CAD) (Studio Course; Co-Taught) Digital Visualization (Studio Course; Co-Taught)
Spring 2022
ARC 101 ARC 214 ARC 292 ARC 312
Design I (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Computer Graphics (Studio Course; Co-Taught) Painting (Elective Studio Course; Co-Taught) Working Drawings II (Studio Course; Co-Taught)
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Fall 2021
ARC 101 ARC 292 PHI 521
Design I (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Painting (Elective Studio Course; Co-Taught) Philosophy and Architecture (Elective Theory Course; Co-Taught)
Summer 2021
ARC 102 ARC 432
Design II (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Housing and Development (Theory Course; Co-Taught)
Spring 2021
ARC 501 ARC 511 MGT 511
Design IX (Architectural Design Studio Course; Co-Taught) Seminar I (Pre-Thesis Seminar Course; Co-Taught) Construction Management (Theory Course; Co-Taught)
ACADEMIC + PROFESSIONAL SERVICE MUD Student Association 2024, United States
Graphic Designer, Master of Urban Design Preparation of graphic material for various events of Matters of Urban Design Student Association (MUDSA), University of Michigan
BRAC University Convocation 2023, Bangladesh
Organizer, BRAC University Production of graphical content and organization of convocation in blended mode due to COVID-19, BRAC University
PROFICIENCIES Software Skills
Geographic Information System (GIS) ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, ArcGIS CityEngine; Graphics + Motion Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Lightroom, Procreate; Drawing + Modelling Autodesk AutoCAD, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Trimble SketchUp, Rhino; Visualization Enscape, VRay, TwinMotion, Lumion; Office Microsoft Office, Google Workspace
Languages
English: Native Proficiency Bangla: Native Proficiency
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP Associate Member United States
American Institute of Architects (AIA) AIA Huron Valley / AIA Michigan Credentials: 40912788
Associate Member Bangladesh
Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB) Credentials: AA - 642
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