The Aga Khan Award for Architecture announced its seven winners for the 16th cycle (2023-2025) on September 2, following comprehensive on-site reviews of 19 shortlisted projects that were revealed in June. The prestigious award, established in 1977, aims to identify and encourage building concepts that address the physical, social, and economic needs of communities with significant Muslim populations while responding to their cultural aspirations.
Farrokh Derakhshani, who has been associated with the award for over four decades, describes the initiative as "a curated message to the world" that evolves with changing times. In a recent interview with ArchDaily's Editor-in-Chief Christele Harrouk, Derakhshani explained how the award's rotating jury system ensures each three-year cycle remains relevant to society's shifting interests and concerns.
According to Derakhshani, contemporary architecture is no longer defined by regional styles but rather by shared global values, though the ultimate measure of success remains appropriateness to context. "We live in a global village, we live in a global world, and people's aspirations, people's requests, people's solutions are somehow general as well," he noted. "So one can learn from one to the other, although they're very site-specific. One cannot say that this architecture is for this place and this architecture is for that. No, there are different ways of living, there are different ways of doing. The only thing is appropriateness."
This year's winners were selected from over 360 submissions to deliver a collective message of optimism and demonstrate architecture's power to create positive change. Derakhshani emphasized that each winning project must intelligently utilize available materials and human resources to offer solutions that are socially, culturally, and economically appropriate for their specific communities.
Among the notable winners is Marina Tabassum's Khudi Bari in Bangladesh, which pioneers a replicable bamboo housing system. The project's key innovation lies in creating a framework that allows communities to adopt the design and "let it grow itself," fundamentally redefining the architect's role as a facilitator rather than a traditional designer. This approach represents a significant shift in architectural thinking about community engagement and sustainable development.
The West Wusutu Village Community Centre in China by Zhang Pengju stands as an exemplary model for rural development. The project has been praised for its elegant design that intelligently incorporates reclaimed bricks and utilizes available local workforce, demonstrating how thoughtful architecture can revitalize rural communities while respecting local resources and traditions.
In Pakistan, Vision Pakistan by DB Studios addresses social empowerment directly by offering dignity to vocational education for disadvantaged youth. The project achieves this through a joyful and well-crafted building that instills a sense of pride in its users, showing how architecture can serve as a tool for social change and community upliftment.
Several winners demonstrate architecture's remarkable capacity to revitalize complex urban and cultural landscapes. The Revitalisation of Historic Esna in Egypt has been lauded for its comprehensive approach that successfully merges heritage preservation with socioeconomic initiatives. This project ensures that local populations benefit from tourism development without erasing important layers of historical significance.
In Iran, two projects showcase innovative approaches to community development and urban regeneration. ZAV Architects' vibrant Majara Complex generates a new, sustainable tourist economy that is deeply rooted in the region's unique landscape characteristics. Meanwhile, KA Architecture Studio's Jahad Metro Plaza transforms a previously neglected urban node into a lively public space, achieving this transformation with remarkable architectural sincerity and community engagement.
The Wonder Cabinet in Palestine by AAU Anastas serves as a crucial hub for cultural production and identity formation. This project represents a form of activist architecture that creates resilient community spaces while asserting a modern Palestinian identity within a politically charged context. The building demonstrates how architecture can serve as both cultural preservation and progressive expression.
Derakhshani emphasized the evolving nature of public spaces in contemporary society, stating, "In our world today... we should not say museums, art galleries, schools. Hub. We need public spaces which people can use at different parts of the year by different programs. The architects have been doing this by knowing the context." This philosophy reflects a broader understanding of how architecture must adapt to changing social needs and community requirements.
The role of architecture awards in shaping professional discourse and recognizing innovation continues to be a vital conversation within the field. This topic was recently highlighted at the "Beyond the Prize" forum during the opening week of the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, which explored the impact and significance of architectural accolades in contemporary practice.
The Aga Khan Award's commitment to recognizing projects that combine architectural excellence with social impact reflects a growing emphasis on architecture's responsibility to address global challenges. Through its careful selection process and comprehensive evaluation criteria, the award continues to highlight innovative solutions that can inspire similar approaches worldwide, demonstrating that good architecture transcends geographical and cultural boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in local contexts and community needs.
