Argo Factory and Two Other Iranian Projects in the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022 Shortlist 

In June 2, 2022, Aga Khan Foundation, based in Geneva, announced a shortlist of selected projects for the 15th edition of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) is one of the most precious prizes in the world which is given to the designers of prominent works of architecture once every three years. The prize has a monetary value of $1,000,000, which is higher relative to other prizes in this field. 

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture was established by Karim Aga Khan in 1977 to identify and honor prominent works of architecture in order to preserve and promote cultural heritage, especially in Islamic societies. Since then, 121 projects have been awarded the prize and nearly 10,000 building projects have been registered. Among the numerous attendees, the master jury only selects projects that not only meet social and economic needs, but also fulfill people's cultural expectations. The master Jury members are Nada Al Hassan, an architect specializing in the conservation of architectural and urban heritage; Amale Andraos, Professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation; Kader Attia, French-Algerian artist; Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, director-general of Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements; Sibel Bozdoğan, a Visiting Professor of Modern Architecture and Urbanism at the Department of the History of Art and Architecture, Boston University; Lina Ghotmeh, French-Lebanese architect; Francis Kéré, an AKAA 2004 laureate and internationally renowned Burkinabè architect; Anne Lacaton, famous French architect; Nader Tehrani, founding principal of NADAAA in Boston and winner of Arnold William Brunner Prize 2020 in American Academy of Arts and Letter.  

In the 15th edition of AKAA (2020-2022) 463 projects were registered, among which 20 projects from 16 countries were selected: Iran, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Tunisia, Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Palestine, Cape Verde, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Niger, and India. Iran (3 projects), Bangladesh (2 projects) and Indonesia (2 projects) have the most projects in the AKAA shortlist. 

Iran's selected projects in AKAA's shortlist: 

• Aban House, Isfahan, Iran: by USE Studio with Mohammad Arab and Mina Moeineddini as architects / Built in the heart of Isfahan's historical center / ranked first in the one-unit residential property section of the "Architect" award 2018.  
• Argo Contemporary Art Museum & Cultural Centre, Tehran, Iran: by Pejman Foundation, and ASA North under supervision of Ahmadreza Schricker, Iranian architect living in the U.S. / One of the first industrial factories in Iran which have been regarded as an abandoned ruin for many years despite its unique architecture (tall chimney) and special geographic location in the middle of Tehran. / Renovated to create an art space. 

• Jadgal Elementary School, Seyyed Bar village, Iran: Bulit voluntarily by DAAZ Office under supervision of Arash Aliabadi / Ranked first in the general section of the "Architect" award / The most notable feature in the school's architecture is its circular yard and its classrooms' settings which avoids the hierarchical system of education and favors the concept of "learning next to each other". 

Photographing these projects is done by Deed Studio, which specializes in architecture photography. 

From June 2 to 30, 2022, in the King's Cross Outdoor Art Project in London, images of these 20 projects were displayed concurrently with the London Architecture Festival. 

Source:

• www.akdn.org/press-release/aga-khan-award-architecture-announces-2022-shortlist 

Cover and slide photo:

• Argo Contemporary Art Museum & Cultural Centre | Photo: Deed studio