Farrokh Derakhshani: Obituary: Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV

Through his building programmes and the Aga Khan Award, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims was an important champion of architecture

Farrokh Derakhshani for The RIBA Journal 3 March 2025.

For Aga Khan IV the essence of architecture was deeply intertwined with the concept of pluralism. He believed in architecture as a powerful medium for intercultural exchange and understanding. ‘We shape our built environment – and then our buildings shape us,’ he was fond of saying, expressing the sentiment that architecture is not a passive backdrop but an active participant in the human story.

Read at the source https://www.ribaj.com/culture/aga-khan-1936-2025

Farrokh Derakhshani is director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Earlier …

German media featured a program on His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and his life’s work on the eve of his 80th birthday The Ismailis: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and his Life’s Work – A radio program hosted by German Radio, Bayern 2 Radio Wissen Architecture is Life | Pakistan’s Institute of Architects Presents a Citation to His Highness the Aga Khan for Patronage of Architecture Aga Khan Award in Architecture: For the Muslim world, buildings that heal – The Express Tribune Aga Khan prize doubled to US$1 million | New Straits Times Audio Recording of Aga Khan Award Discussion Now Available Online | Architecture Foundation The Architecture Foundation: Implicate & Explicate: The Aga Khan Award for Architecture Governor of Riyadh receives Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of Aga Khan Award for Architecture Aga Khan Award Rewards More Than Architecture