THE Revitalisation of Muharraq Project is among 20 projects shortlisted for a $1 million architecture award.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the oldest international awards in the field of architecture and selects projects – from slum upgrading to high-rise green buildings – that not only exhibit architectural excellence but also improve the overall quality of life.
The award also identifies municipalities, builders, clients, master artisans and engineers who have played important roles in the realisation of a project.
The 20 shortlisted projects, located in 16 different countries, for the 2019 edition of the award were announced yesterday at a ceremony held in Kazan, Russian which also included an exhibition on the award and was inaugurated by Republic of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.
“The Revitalisation of Muharraq is a visionary effort to maintain the spirit of this historic city,” said Aga Khan Award for Architecture director Farrokh Derakhshani.
“The project demonstrates a sensitive approach to heritage conservation and contemporary public space planning.”
The project consists of the Pearl Route, which is Bahrain’s second site on the Unesco World Heritage List and provides testimony of the pearl trade in the Arabian Peninsula – during which Bahrain thrived in the 19th century.
It also consists of architectural properties, oyster beds and parts of the seashore – encapsulating many aspects of the pearling economy.
The project, which is ongoing, aims to create a harmonious urban fabric that both conserves and adapts ancient structures and new ones.
The site will now undergo a rigorous investigation by experts from the awards committee who will visit and evaluate each project on-site.
The expert reports will be the basis for the Master Jury’s selection of the eventual laureates.
To be eligible for consideration in the 2019 award cycle, projects had to be completed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017, and should have been in use for at least one year.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture was established by Aga Khan in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence.
Since the award was launched 42 years ago, 116 projects have received the award and more than 9,000 building projects have been documented.
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