Nineteen unique projects shortlisted for the 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture
By Niall Patrick Walsh|
Friday, Jun 6, 2025
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture has announced the shortlist for its 2025 award cycle. A total of 19 projects from 15 countries were selected out of 369 nominations to vie for the $1 million prize, considered one of the largest in the architecture world.
Since being established in 1977, the award has honored 128 projects, with nearly another 10,000 being documented in its archive. “The AKAA’s 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 aspirations,” organizers note.
A nine-member jury, which includes Grafton Architects’ Yvonne Farrell and MIT Art, Culture and Technology director Azra Akšamija, will meet again this summer for its selective review process before naming a winner.
Below we have listed the 19 projects on this year’s shortlist. You can compare the selection to earlier editions by reviewing our ongoing coverage of the award here.
Khudi Bari, Bangladesh by Marina Tabassum Architects
West Wusutu Village Community Centre, China by Zhang Pengju
Revitalisation of Historic Esna, Egypt by Takween Integrated Community Development
The Arc at Green School, Indonesia by IBUKU / Elora Hardy
Islamic Centre Nurul Yaqin Mosque, Indonesia by Dave Orlando and Fandy Gunawan
Microlibraries, Indonesia by SHAU / Daliana Suryawinata, Florian Heinzelmann
Majara Complex and Community Redevelopment, Iran by ZAV Architects / Mohamadreza Ghodousi
Jahad Metro Plaza, Iran by KA Architecture Studio
Khan Jaljulia Restoration, Israel by Elias Khuri
Campus Startup Lions, Kenya by Kéré Architecture
Revitalisation of Lalla Yeddouna Square, Morocco by Mossessian Architecture and Yassir Khalil Studio
Vision Pakistan, Pakistan by DB Studios / Mohammad Saifullah Siddiqui
Denso Hall Rahguzar Project, Pakistan by Heritage Foundation of Pakistan / Yasmeen Lari
Wonder Cabinet, Palestine by AAU Anastas
The Ned Hotel, Qatar by David Chipperfield Architects
Shamalat Cultural Centre, Saudi Arabia by Syn Architects / Sara Alissa, Nojoud Alsudairi
Rehabilitation and Extension of Dakar Railway Station, Senegal by Ga2D
Rami Library, Türkiye by Han Tümertekin Design & Consultancy
Morocco Pavilion Expo Dubai 2020, United Arab Emirates by Oualalou + Choi
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5 Comments
Gregory Wharton · Jun 06, 25 7:29 PM
It seems like the Aga Khan Awards are pretty much the only design recognition awards left anywhere in the world that have any substance or recognize quality work anymore. And even then, not super-consistently.
Certainly far better than Pritzker or AIA/RIBA/etc.
Chad Miller · Jun 10, 25 2:44 PM
Oh come on gwharton - let’s not act like the Aga Khan Awards are some incorruptible bastion of architectural virtue floating above the mire. Yes, they have substance sometimes, and sure, their cultural scope is broader and less Eurocentric—but let’s not pretend they’re immune to trends, geopolitics, or safe choices either. And while we’re at it, let’s not just write off the Pritzker or RIBA as hollow pageants—they may be flawed, but they’ve still recognized some paradigm-shifting work (and yes, also handed out a few lifetime achievement participation trophies along the way).
The real issue isn’t which award is pure—it’s the entire idea that architectural value is legible through institutional applause. If your barometer for “quality work” depends on a jury’s press release, you’re probably missing the work that’s reshaping how people actually live.
Gregory Wharton · Jun 10, 25 6:02 PM
I don't know where you're getting all that from. I'm not suggesting the AKA is "pure" by any means. Just pointing out that most award programs these days don't recognize excellence on any level other than "good at PR," "serves some kind of ideological hobby horse of the elite," and "friends with the right people." AKA seems to not fall into that rut quite as much as the others.
Chad Miller · Jun 10, 25 10:22 PM
gwharton - I think the AKA dose the exact same thing.
Nam Henderson · Jun 14, 25 4:03 AM
While I am not willing to characterize all the other "design recognition awards" I'd be inclined to agree that these are generally excellent. Personally what I particularly appreciate is that often is a sort of contemporary critical regionalism, tends towards non-Western and generally not the usual suspects/folks I've heard of...
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