winners of the 2019 aga khan award for architecture announced

the winners of the 2019 aga khan award for architecture have been announced. the prize not only rewards architects, but also celebrates municipalities, builders, clients, master artisans, and engineers who have played important roles in the realization of a project. established in 1977 by the aga khan, the award aims to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which muslims have a significant presence.

the winners, who will share $1 million USD between them, were chosen by a master jury comprised of: anthony kwamé appiah, meisa batayneh, sir david chipperfield, elizabeth diller, edhem eldem, mona fawaz, kareem ibrahim, ali m. malkawi, and nondita correa mehrotra. read more about each of the selected projects below.

REVITALISATION OF MUHARRAQ, BAHRAIN

architect: authority for culture & antiquities conservation department, manama, bahrain
image © aga khan trust for culture / cemal emden

revitalisation of muharraq, which highlights the world heritage site’s pearling history, was first initiated as a series of restoration and reuse projects. the project evolved into a comprehensive program that aimed to re-balance the city’s demographic makeup by creating public spaces, providing community and cultural venues, and improving the overall environment.

ARCADIA EDUCATION PROJECT, BANGLADESH

architect: saif ul haque sthapati, dhaka, bangladesh
image © aga khan trust for culture / sanndro di carlo darsa

arcadia education project, in south kanarchor, a modular structure — incorporating space for a preschool, a hostel, a nursery and a vocational training center – that takes a novel approach to a riverside site that is often flooded for five months every year. rather than disrupting the ecosystem to create a mound for building, the architect devised the solution of an amphibious structure that could sit on the ground or float on the water, depending on seasonal conditions.

PALESTINIAN MUSEUM, PALESTINE

architect: heneganh peng architects, dublin, ireland | read more on designboom here
image © aga khan trust for culture / cemal emden

palestinian museum, in birzeit, which crowns a terraced hill overlooking the mediterranean and is the recipient of the LEED gold certification because of its sustainable construction. the zigzagging forms of the museum’s architecture and hillside gardens are inspired by the surrounding agricultural terraces, stressing the link with the land and palestinian heritage.

PUBLIC SPACES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

architect: architecturny desant architectural bureau, kazan, tatarstan, russia
image by ivan petrov

public spaces development programme, in the republic of tatarstan, a programme that, to date, has improved 328 public spaces all over tatarstan. the ambitious programme sought to counter the trend toward private ownership by refocusing priorities on quality public spaces for the people of tatarstan. it has now become a model throughout the russian federation.

ALIOUNE DIOP UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND RESEARCH UNIT, SENEGAL

alioune diop university teaching and research unit, in bambey, where a scarcity of resources led to the use of bioclimatic strategies, including a large double roof canopy and latticework that avoids direct solar radiation but allows air to flow through it. by employing locally familiar construction techniques and following sustainability principles, the project succeeded in keeping costs and maintenance demands to a minimum, while still making a bold architectural statement.

WASIT WETLAND CENTRE, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

wasit wetland centre, in sharjah, a design that transformed a wasteland into a wetland and functioned as a catalyst for biodiversity and environmental education. while its indigenous ecosystem has been restored, it has also proven to be a popular place for visitors to appreciate and learn about their natural environment.

project info:

award name: 2019 aga khan award for architecture