For the first time in 27 years, Pakistan has secured the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, one of the highest honors in the global design and built environment community.
The winning project, titled Vision Pakistan, is an education and training center located in Islamabad. Designed by DB Studios in collaboration with architect Mohammad Saifullah Siddiqui, the project was selected for its powerful blend of architectural beauty, social impact, and sustainability.
The Aga Khan Award jury praised the center for “empowering disadvantaged youth through skills-based training,” especially in tailoring and vocational design. With its multi-storey layout, a serene central tree, and carefully designed jaali (screen) patterns that play with light and shadow, the building reflects a deep connection between architecture and social transformation.
At the heart of the building is a sunlit atrium, anchored by a living tree, a symbol of growth and resilience. The structure uses natural ventilation, abundant daylight, and traditional design elements to create a calm and functional space for learning.
This marks Pakistan’s first win since 1998, when the Baltit Fort Restoration Project in Hunza was honored. The 2025 award positions Pakistan once again among countries leading the way in socially driven and culturally grounded architecture.
Vision Pakistan joins five other projects from Iran, Indonesia, Morocco, Palestine, Bangladesh, and Lebanon in receiving the award this cycle. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, established in 1977 by His Highness Aga Khan IV, is not only given to architects, but also honors clients, builders, and users, emphasizing architecture’s role in improving quality of life.
With this award, Pakistan’s design community has been reenergized, and the spotlight is once again on architecture that serves both purpose and people.
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