Director Farrokh Derakhshani joins STORIESINDESIGN podcast from Geneva to talk about the wide-ranging Aga Khan Award, which in 2025 awarded $1m to a series of winners with projects from China to Palestine.

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The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) was established in 1977 by His late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV with the aim of identifying and encouraging building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence. Three guiding values shaped the Jury’s process and selection: transcendence, pluralism and progress. The latest round of winners were announced earlier in 2025 – read about the full list of projects here.

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To discuss these projects and the history of the Award overall, Farrokh Derakhshani – Director of the AKAA – joins STORIESINDESIGN from Geneva. Indeed, the AKAA is nothing if not global in scale. More particularly, it brings a refreshing spotlight on to projects from across the Global South, with this year’s joint seven winners showcasing work in Iran, Palestine, Bangladesh, China, Egypt and Pakistan. The 16th cycle’s prize-giving ceremony was held at the Toktogul Satylganov Kyrgyz National Philharmonic in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on 15th September.

During the conversation, Derakhshani explains what the Award focuses on and how its selection process unfolds. Spoiler alert: the AKAA is deeply concerned with community and involves a rigorous judging process.

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Aga Khan Award for Architecture
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