This course was developed in partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). Among many programmes related with the physical, social, cultural and economic revitalisation of communities in the developing world, this organisation includes the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) and the on-line resource Archnet.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is given every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture, planning practices, historic preservation and landscape architecture. Through its efforts, the Award seeks to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of societies across the world, in which Muslims have a significant presence.

The selection process emphasises architecture that not only provides for people’s physical, social and economic needs, but that also stimulates and responds to their cultural expectations. Particular attention is given to building schemes that use local resources and appropriate technology in innovative ways, and to projects likely to inspire similar efforts elsewhere. The Award is governed by a steering committee chaired by His Highness the Aga Khan. A new committee is constituted each cycle to establish the eligibility criteria for project submissions, provide thematic direction in response to emerging priorities and issues, and to develop plans for the future of the Award. The steering committee is responsible for the selection and appointment of the master jury for each Award cycle, and for the Award’s programme of international seminars, lectures, exhibitions and publications. The current prize fund totals US$ 1,000,000 and is presented to projects selected by an independent master jury. The Award has completed 14 cycles of activity since 1977, and documentation has been compiled on over 8,000 building projects throughout the world. To date, the master juries have selected 122 projects to receive the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Click here to visit the Award’s website to know more about it.

As we mentioned earlier, in this course we will explore three key themes for the design of adequate housing. Each of these themes will be explained in more detail using a project awarded with the AKAA.