We were quite happy to receive a book on the Aga Kahn 1st prize and shortlist proposals as ArchDaily has followed the 11th award cycle. Beginning with an inspirational foreword, Farrokh Derakhshani explains the importance of such an award as it looks to highlight architecture rooted in an awareness of aesthetics and cultural aspects within the Muslim world. During the 11th award cycle of 2010, the shortlisted projects were shared with the public to promote further discussion. With this in min t,The book offers an indepth look at the 19 projects, complete with the steering committee statement and master jury report.
More about the book after the break.
Moshen Mostafavi’s introduction provides a broad overview of the award in addition to examining the manifestation of Islamic ideals into meaningful architecture.
“Each architectural, landscape or urban project exists in this constant state of both unfoldment (the singularity of its realized and visible manifestation) an enfoldment into the wholeness – for example, that of the urban as the social, political, symbolic and cultural context for the implicate order of architecture,” explains Mostafavi.
The book presents the shortlist of 19 projects including the winners [Wadi Hanifa Wetlands, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Revitalisation of the Hypercentre of Tunis, Tunisia; Madinat Al-Zahra Museum, Cordoba, Spain; Ipekyol Textile Factory, Edirne, Turkey; Bridge School, Xiashi, Fujian, China.]
Grouped under different themes – environment, institutions, industry, dwellings and conservation – the projects offer a unique and varied selection which showcases the rich diversity of Islamic architecture. The projects differ in scale, aesthetics and vision; yet all recognize the importance of positively promoting a change within their physical settings.
Be sure to view our previous coverage of the award and for a more comprehensive report of the projects, this book is perfect.
