Aga Khan Award for Architecture, 2001

According to its charter, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture was established in 1977 with the aim of promoting recognition of Islamic culture as reflected in architectural works. The method of this award is to seek outstanding examples of architecture, fresh perspectives in contemporary design, social housing, development and environmental improvement, restoration and adaptive reuse, conservation of fabric and context, as well as landscape and land design. This award strives to identify and support successful building concepts that meet the needs of the majority.

The criterion for selecting projects, beyond distinguishing social and economic needs and providing an appropriate response to the cultural and spiritual expectations of the people, places special emphasis on building projects that rely on local capabilities and appropriate technological innovation. There are no specific conditions regarding use, climate, location, or price of the projects.

The award is held every three years under the supervision of an executive committee chaired by the Aga Khan. The prizes, totaling over 500,000 dollars, constitute the largest monetary prize in the world. Every three years, they are awarded to the projects selected by the jury. This award has been held in seven cycles from 1977 to the present and has been able to evaluate buildings worldwide. In total, 75 projects have so far been successful in receiving the award.

The 2001 cycle encompasses the years 1999 to 2001.

Selection Criteria: Projects must have been completed in the past 12 years (between January 1988 and December 2000) and must have been in use.

Ceremony Venues

The ceremony for honoring the winning projects and announcing the results of each three-year cycle has always been held at one of the historic venues with valuable Islamic architecture:

Jury Panel 2001

The jury was of the belief that one of the main goals of the award is to achieve the kind of architecture that serves the improvement of living conditions for various Muslim communities and groups. Issues of environmental sustainability, social equity, cultural and historical identity, and human dignity were also considered in the jury's deliberations.

Some projects aimed to help disadvantaged communities improve their conditions through increased production. Novel cooperation between people who have recently benefited from new economic opportunities with those who remain in rural conditions — to prevent migration and the drying up of local resources — has changed the nature of things. Some, for example by preserving the life and culture of an ancient civilization, have responded to educational needs. Others teach animal husbandry techniques to improve diets.

The jury also noted the positive role of tourism in the new economy in the context of architecture, which results in valuing the environment and introducing local culture through building works.

Projects that ensure the future of historical buildings within cities and create newly protected areas in the urban environment were also of great importance to the jury.

Public, industrial, and religious buildings, as well as conservation projects, were given attention. However, none could reach the expected standard of the award.

Award-Winning Projects