DOHA: Qatar yesterday became the first GCC country to host the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned joined the Aga Khan in honouring this year’s awardees.
The five winners selected out of 19 finalists from 401 entries worldwide were the Wadi Hanifa Wetlands (Saudi Arabia), the Revitalisation of the Hypercentre of Tunis (Tunisia), Madinat Al Zahra Museum (Spain), Ipekyol Textile Factory (Turkey) and Bridge School, Xiashi (China).
A total of $500,000 was given away to the five winners of the Award, which is considered one of the most coveted architecture awards in the world.
The Aga Khan, who is known for his support to the promotion of Islamic culture, art and architecture, said the MIA “symbolises how contemporary international talent at the highest level can join creatively with ancient culture inherited and visionary national leadership.”
Ismailimail 