Aga Khan Award 2019 shortlist features projects in Djibouti, Palestine and Bahrain

A wooden water tower, a nature reserve, and a microlibrary made from recycled ice cream tubs are some of the projects on the shortlist for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019.

Twenty projects from 16 different countries have been shortlisted for the award, established in 1977 by the Aga Khan Foundation to “encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence”.

Awarded triennially, its $1 million (£774,000) jackpot makes it one of the most lucrative architecture awards in the world. As well as architectural excellence, the winner must demonstrate that it improves the overall quality of life for the people who use it.

Several internationally renowned architecture practices made the shortlist, including OMA for the Concrete at Alserkal Avenue, a cultural events centre Dubai, and Snøhetta for the Muttrah Fish Market in Muscat. The Palestinian Museum by Heneghan Peng Architects has also made the list.

Many of the shortlisted projects have strong social justice or sustainability aspects including Arturio Vittori’s Warka Water project in Ethiopia, which is bringing sustainable and clean drinking water to remote areas. The Italian architect developed a system of bamboo poles and mesh netting that harvests water from the air.

The Taman Bima Microlibrary by Shau Architects is a prototype for a series of small libraries the practice plans to build across Indonesia to combat illiteracy. Each library uses 2,000 recycled ice cream tubs to form a perforated facade.

One of the shortlisted projects in Sharjah is the Wasit Wetland Centre by X-Architects, where a former rubbish dump has been transformed into a reserve for 350 species of bird.

Jarahieh School in Lebanon is also in the running for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019. UK non-profit design studio CatalyticAction designed an educational facility for 300 children of Syrian refugees that doubles as a community centre.

The Arcadia Education Project in Bangladesh, by Saif Ul Haque Sthapati, has a preschool alongside a hostel for single women, complete with a nursery and vocational training facilities.

Another project for vulnerable children shortlisted is the Tadjourah SOS Children’s Village in Djibouti. Urko Sanchez Architects designed 15 houses to shelter at-risk young people.

British architect David Chipperfield, Diller Scofidio + Renfro co-founder Elizabeth Diller are two of the nine members of the master jury for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019.

The steering committee, which is lead by the Aga Khan, a muslin spiritual leader, also includes David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates, AKT II design director Hanif Kara, Brigitte Shim of Shim-Sutcliffe Architects and Marina Tabassum Architects founder Marina Tabassum.

All of the shortlisted projects were completed between January 2012 and December 2017, and have been in use for a full year. The jury will select the winner from a series of expert reports carried out in country.

The winner will be announced in late autumn at a ceremony in the city of Kazan in Russia.

Six buildings won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2016, including Zaha Hadid’s first building in Lebanon and pink park by BIG.

Scroll down for the full 2019 shortlist:

Bahrain

Revitalization of Muharraq, Muharraq, by the Authority for Culture & Antiquities Conservation Department

Bangladesh

Arcadia Education Project, South Kanarchor, by Saif Ul Haque Sthapati
Amber Denim Loom Shed, Gazipur, by Archeground

China

Courtyard House Plugin, Beijing, by People’s Architecture Office

Djibouti

Tadjourah SOS Children’s Village, Tadjourah, by Urko Sanchez Architects

Ethiopia