Aga Khan Award shortlist announced

Three of the 20 projects shortlisted for the international 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture are located in the United Arab Emirates, more than any other country. The other projects under consideration for the US$1 million are from sixteen countries including Turkey, Russian Federation, China, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Iran, Lebanon and Uganda, among others. The prize-giving ceremony will be held in the historic city of Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation, in the autumn of 2019

A Master Jury of nine luminaries in the fields of architecture and design reviewed hundreds of nominations of projects that were completed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017. Each project must have been in use for at least one year.

Unlike other awards for architecture, the Aga Khan Award was established in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence. It recognizes architectural excellence in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, historic preservation, reuse area conservation, as well as landscape design and improvement of the environment.

The UAE projects under consideration for this prestigious award are:

• Concrete at Alserkal Avenue, Dubai – A former industrial complex, Alserkal Avenue has been transformed into a cultural hub. Four existing warehouses were reimagined to create Concrete, a flexible multipurpose space for artists and cultural events.

  

• Al Mureijah Art Spaces, Sharjah – The Sharjah Art Foundation repurposed five dilapidated buildings in the Al Mureijah neighbourhood to create an urban setting for use as a contemporary art venue

  

• Wasit Wetland Centre, Sharjah – Part of a larger project to clean up and rehabilitate this ancient chain of wetlands along the coast, the Wetland Centre provides information and education about this unique environment and encourages its preservation.