Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2025 shortlisted Projects. photo compilation by Aga Khan Trust Culture /
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) has announced 19 projects shortlisted for its 2025 award cycle.
These projects were selected from a large pool of 369 nominations by an independent Master Jury.
Among the shortlisted projects, several are based in Africa, specifically from Egypt, Kenya, and Senegal.
The AKAA was established in 1977 by His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Its purpose is to highlight architectural projects that respond to the needs of communities where Muslims have a significant presence.
The award carries a total prize of $1 million, making it one of the most financially significant awards in the field of architecture worldwide.
For the 2025 cycle, projects had to meet specific eligibility criteria: they must have been completed between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, and they must have been in use for at least one full year before consideration.
Additionally, any projects commissioned by His Highness the Aga Khan or any of the institutions under the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) were not eligible for the award.
Egypt: Revitalisation of Historic Esna
One of the shortlisted projects in Africa is the Revitalisation of Historic Esna in Upper Egypt.
This project was implemented by Takween Integrated Community Development and was selected for the 2025 award cycle.
Esna is a historic town that has been experiencing declining public interest and tourism outside its main attraction, the Temple of Khnum.
The temple itself remains a focal point, but the surrounding urban fabric was neglected, with deteriorating buildings and underused public spaces.
The Revitalisation project aimed to address these issues through a combination of physical restoration and urban planning measures.
It involved restoring heritage buildings and improving public spaces to make them more usable and attractive to residents and visitors alike.
Economic development initiatives were also part of the strategy, supporting local businesses and promoting cultural tourism.
The approach included coordination with local authorities and community members to ensure that the revitalisation efforts aligned with local needs and aspirations.
Key elements of the intervention included upgrading neglected streets and buildings, supporting small-scale commercial activities, and organizing cultural events to increase foot traffic and community engagement.
This project is notable as the only shortlisted entry from North Africa in the current award cycle.
It represents an integrated effort to address both the physical deterioration of Esna and the social disengagement affecting the community.
Kenya: Campus Startup Lions
Another African project on the shortlist is Campus Startup Lions, located in Turkana, northern Kenya.
The project was designed by Kéré Architecture and serves as a hub for education and entrepreneurship.
Turkana is a region with limited infrastructure, and the project responds directly to these challenges by providing facilities for technology-driven education, business incubation, and community engagement.
The design uses local volcanic stone as the main building material.
This choice reflects a focus on using local resources that are both appropriate and sustainable.
The architectural design incorporates passive climate control features to cope with Turkana’s hot climate.
Ventilation towers, inspired by termite mounds found in the area, help cool the buildings naturally.
The facility also includes solar power installations and a rainwater harvesting system to ensure water availability and reduce dependence on external energy sources.
The campus offers spaces where students and entrepreneurs can learn digital skills, start businesses, and access training relevant to their community’s economic context.
While constructed using conventional building techniques, the project emphasizes a site-specific approach to layout and ventilation.
This is intended to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort without relying heavily on mechanical cooling.
Campus Startup Lions is the only shortlisted project from East Africa in this award cycle, highlighting a focus on education and economic development in a region facing infrastructure challenges.
Senegal: Dakar Railway Station
The Rehabilitation and Extension of Dakar Railway Station in Senegal is another African project included in the shortlist.
Led by Ga2D, the project focuses on upgrading a central transport hub in Dakar to accommodate a new express railway line.
The project preserved the original historical structure of the station while adding new facilities to support increased passenger capacity and operational demands.
One important aspect of the design was the reallocation of traffic flows: vehicle access was moved to the rear of the site, allowing the forecourt area in front of the station to be restored for pedestrian use.
This change creates a more pedestrian-friendly interface between the railway station and the surrounding urban environment.
The design separates old and new architectural elements, maintaining a balance between preserving heritage and adding necessary modern infrastructure.
The new additions address the logistical requirements of increased train traffic, as well as urban challenges such as congestion and pedestrian safety in a densely populated area.
This project serves both transportation needs and urban improvement goals.
The Aga Khan Award in Context
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture recognises building projects that go beyond aesthetics.
It focuses on how architecture addresses social, cultural, environmental, and economic needs within specific communities.
The award is given every three years and follows a rigorous process of nomination, field assessment, and evaluation by an independent Master Jury.
Eligible projects must have been completed within a defined timeframe and in use for at least one year. Projects commissioned by the Aga Khan or AKDN institutions are not considered to avoid conflicts of interest.
The award acknowledges the contributions of a broad group of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, planners, clients, municipalities, and artisans.
Since its inception 48 years ago, the AKAA has documented nearly 10,000 projects and has honoured 128.
It recognises a diverse range of works, including contemporary design, social housing, community development, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, landscape architecture, and environmental improvements.
A priority is given to projects that use local resources and appropriate technologies innovatively and are likely to inspire similar initiatives elsewhere.
This emphasis on sustainability and replicability distinguishes the AKAA from many other architecture awards.
The award places particular importance on how buildings serve their users and improve quality of life within their cultural and geographic contexts, especially in areas where Muslims have a significant presence.
About the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
The Aga Khan Development Network is a group of development agencies founded by His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and currently chaired by His Highness the Aga Khan (Prince Rahim Aga Khan V).
Operating in over 30 countries, AKDN works across multiple sectors including health, education, culture, rural development, and financial inclusion.
Its agencies run more than 1,000 programmes and institutions, some of which have operated for over a century.
The Network employs around 96,000 people, most based in developing countries.
Its annual expenditure on non-profit development activities is approximately US$1 billion.
