7 Projects Shaping the Future of Sustainable Architecture

The 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture has honored seven projects that redefine what it means to build sustainably and inclusively. Chosen from across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, these designs show how architecture can spark cultural dialogue, community resilience, and environmental responsibility.

1. Khudi Bari, Bangladesh 

Designed by renowned Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, Khudi Bari is a modular home built with bamboo and steel for families displaced by flooding and erosion. Light, movable, and affordable, it offers a replicable model of climate-resilient housing. The jury praised its ecological framing and contribution to advancing bamboo as a global material.

2. West Wusutu Village Community Centre, China

This community hub in Hohhot uses reclaimed bricks to create cultural and social spaces for local residents and artists. Designed by Inner Mongolian Grand Architecture Design Co. Ltd, it serves multi-ethnic groups including Hui Muslims. The project demonstrates how thoughtful, low-tech design fosters inclusivity and shared identity.

3. Revitalisation of Historic Esna, Egypt

Led by Takween Integrated Community Development, this project breathes new life into the riverside town of Esna. Through conservation, socioeconomic initiatives, and tourism strategies, it has transformed a neglected city into a thriving cultural hub. The jury recognized its ability to stimulate a “historic urban metabolism” that meets contemporary needs.

4. Majara Residence & Community Redevelopment, Iran

On Hormuz Island, ZAV Architects designed a colorful complex of domes that mirror the island’s ochre-rich soils. Beyond providing sustainable tourist accommodation, it supports local economies and cultural identity. The jury described it as a vibrant archipelago of programs that incrementally build an alternative tourism economy.

5. Jahad Metro Plaza, Iran

In Tehran, KA Architecture Studio transformed a once-dilapidated metro station into a lively pedestrian plaza. Built with handmade brick, the project connects modern infrastructure with Iran’s rich architectural traditions. Its warm, textured design repositions the station as both an urban monument and a functional civic space.

6. Vision Pakistan, Pakistan

Designed by DB Studios, Vision Pakistan is a multistorey facility that houses a youth-focused charity providing vocational training. With facades inspired by Pakistani and Arab craft, the building combines joyful patterns with practical, light-filled interiors. The jury applauded it as spatially innovative, economically efficient, and socially empowering.

7. Wonder Cabinet, Palestine

AAU Anastas collaborated with local artisans in Bethlehem to design the Wonder Cabinet, a nonprofit exhibition and production space. Rooted in cultural identity, it has become a hub for design, craft, and innovation. The jury highlighted it as a model of connection and cultural resilience, asserting the role of architecture in collective expression.

Takeaway

From modular homes in Bangladesh to cultural spaces in Palestine, this year’s Aga Khan Award winners show how architecture is evolving into a tool for resilience and transformation. These projects remind us that good design is not only about form—it’s about serving people, communities, and the planet.