Chicago’s rich architectural history on display to the world in Open House Chicago next weekend, but this week a prestigious award is bringing attention to architecture in faraway corners of the world.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) highlights architectural and urban planning solutions in parts of the world with significant Muslim populations. This year’s winners, announced Monday, feature a bridge as a gathering space and a building floating above a courtyard, among others.
The prize: Six architectural teams around the globe will share a $1 million prize, one of the largest international awards in architecture. The winning projects are located in Bangladesh, China, Denmark, Iran and Lebanon, and they all serve areas with significant Muslim populations, one of the eligibility requirements of the award. In its 13th cycle, the award is given out every three years by the Geneva-based Aga Khan Development Network.
The philosophy: “Rather than recognizing just one great architect or one great building, the award aims to find a bit more nuance and collaboration in projects,” said AKAA Director Farrokh Derakhshani. “We ask, ‘In whose service is this architecture? How does this improve the quality of life of the people around there? What lessons were learned?’ “
The history: Established in 1977, the AKAA has processes and requirements that are different than those of most architectural awards. The project, whether it’s a restoration, school, high rise, park or something else, must fulfill a specific need in the community where it is located; jury members are required to go to each shortlisted project and conduct interviews of surrounding community members to assess how the area has benefited from the project. And awards are given to the team of contributors to the project — planners, architects, engineers, artists — rather than just the lead architect.
Check out the winning projects below:
Bait Ur Rouf Mosque
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ventilation and the play of light make this neighborhood mosque a refuge for spirituality. Read more about this project here.
Friendship Centre
Gaibandha, Bangladesh
A rural training center inspired by one of the country’s oldest urban archaeological sites. Read more about this project here
More Top Picks Whynter Arc 1230wn
.Hutong Children's Library & Art Centre
Beijing, China
A small-scale project that enriches bonds among communities and revives Hutong life. Read more about this project here.
Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs
Beirut, Lebanon
A new building, radical in composition but respectful of its traditional context, “floats” above an exterior courtyard. Read more about this project here.
Superkilen
Copenhagen, Denmark
A public space promoting integration across lines of ethnicity, religion and culture. Read more about this project here.
Tabiat Pedestrian Bridge
Tehran, Iran
Infrastructure that connects two parks has become a popular urban space. Read more about this project here.
Tribune reporting, Aga Khan Award for Architecture
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