Jannatul Fardus Nela

Jannatul Fardus Nela is an interior architect and educator with over ten years of experience in higher education, curriculum development, academic coordination and design practice. As a former Senior Lecturer at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Bangladesh, she taught interior architecture, architecture and contributed to programme development. Her experience also includes ND/HND coordination, Pearson curriculum delivery and British Council-related educational activities.

She is currently undertaking PhD research at ARU's Cambridge School of Art. Her research explores how cultural practices and lived experiences can inform environmentally sustainable improvements to existing homes, supporting inclusive, culturally responsive and low-carbon domestic environments.

• Bengali
• Hindi

• Human-first interior architecture: designing domestic environments that respond to human needs, wellbeing and everyday living experiences.
• Culturally responsive housing design: exploring how cultural identity, household routines and lived experiences shape the use and design of homes.
• Sustainable interior architecture and low-carbon retrofit: Investigating how existing homes can be improved to enhance environmental performance while respecting residents’ needs.
• Participatory design and spatial experience: engaging residents in co-design processes to develop inclusive, culturally appropriate and sustainable domestic environments.

Jannatul's PhD has a particular focus on:

• Interior architecture and human-centred design: research exploring interior space, spatial perception, user experience, human wellbeing and the relationship between people and their living and working environments.
• Sustainable design and healthy housing: research investigating sustainable interior environments, low-carbon housing, environmental performance, spatial justice and culturally responsive design approaches.
• Interior design education and design practice: research exploring design pedagogy, curriculum development, studio-based learning and approaches to teaching and learning in interior architecture.
• Participatory design and cultural context: research examining how cultural identity, everyday practices and community participation can inform inclusive interior spaces and domestic environments.

• MA Interior Architecture, Middlesex University London
• BA (Hons) Interior Architecture, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Bangladesh

• Secretary, Research and Development; Member, Interior Architects Society of Bangladesh (IASB)
• Member, Self-Assessment Committee (SAC), Department of Interior Architecture, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Bangladesh (2015–2022): Contributed to institutional quality assurance and academic review through the university’s Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), within a quality assurance initiative associated with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh.

• Interior Architecture Consultant and Material Analyst: Undertook professional design consultancy, material analysis and sustainable material selection for residential, commercial and institutional projects.
• Academic and public engagement: Contributed to design workshops, student exhibitions and Asia Young Designer Award (AYDA) activities, supporting student development and knowledge exchange.

Nela, J. F. (2022) ‘Photographic Representations of Interior Space – Part 2’, International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management, 4(9), pp. 1109-1117. Available at: https://doi.org/10.35629/5252-040911091117

Nela, J. F. (2022) ‘Photographic Representations of Interior Space – Part 3’, American Journal of Engineering Research, 11(10), pp. 10-23.

Television appearance: Guest speaker on Char Deyaler Kabbo, ATN Bangla Television, discussing interior architecture and design.

Magazine interview / feature: Interview on the use of local materials in interior design, including how traditional materials can create attractive contemporary interiors, বসন (Boshon), December 2021.

Newspaper feature: ‘গরমে শীতল রাখুন ঘর’ ('Keep Your Home Cool in Summer'). Feature discussing interior design approaches to maintaining comfortable homes during hot weather.

Newspaper feature: ‘গরমে শীতল রাখুন ঘর’ ('Keep Your Home Cool in Summer'). Article featuring practical interior design advice for summer comfort.

Podcast contributor: Design Talk podcast, scheduled for 30 October 2026, discussion on modern technology and artificial intelligence in interior design, including applications in the UK and Australia.