MTA and URBANA from Bangladesh have Won Aga Khan Architecture Award 2016

3 October, 2016 Total View: 906

The Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka by Marina Tabassum Architects / MTA and the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha by Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury / URBANA have won Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The winners were announced by the Award Committee yesterday on 2nd of October . These two are among the six projects that have won the award this year.

The projects from Bangladesh, which were selected by the Master Jury from amongst 348 projects nominated for the 13th Award cycle, were shortlisted with other 19 projects in May this year. (Click HERE for detail about the shortlisted projects)

Jury comments_

The Bait Ur Rouf Mosque: “In a transitional area caught between urban hyper-density and rural proximity, the terracotta mosque is an exquisitely proportioned building that is both elegant and eternal. Funded primarily by community donors, the mosque design challenges the status quo and understands that a space for prayer should elevate the spirit. The mosque does so through the creation of an interior space that is rich with light and shadow, but at the same time possesses a robust simplicity that allows for deep reflection and contemplation in prayer.” (Source: Aga Khan Award for Architecture and archdaily)

Friendship Centre in Gaibandha: “The integrative design approach is registered in every aspect of the project, and at every scale. The imbrication of outdoor and indoor spaces, together with the treatment of the roofscape, make this an unusual and innovative building. With its spaces sunk into the ground and the vegetation growing on its roofs, the compound blends beautifully into the natural surroundings. Its relationship to the landscape and to history and archaeology is remarkable in every way.” (Source: Aga Khan Award for Architecture and archdaily)

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) is presented every three year to architectural projects that set new standards of excellence and successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies. Since the Award was launched, 5 projects (including recent 2 awardees) have been awarded. Other 3 projects from Bangladesh that previously received the Award were Grameen Bank Housing program (1987-89), National Assembly Building (1987-89), School in Rudrapur (2005-07).

/// Other projects that have won the award this year (2016) are –

Hutong Children’s Library and Art Centre, Beijing, China / ZAO/standardarchitecture, Zhang Ke