How Aga Khan Became Architecture’s Defining Patron

Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, who passed away on February 4, 2025, was not only the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims but also a pioneering figure in architecture.

Born in Geneva on December 13, 1936, he spent his early years in Nairobi before going on to study at Harvard. By the time of his death at the age of 88 in Lisbon, Portugal, he had long established him as one of the most significant figures in modern architecture.

Prince Karim is reported to have become interested in architecture due to dissatisfaction with the quality of structures his community had commissioned on its behalf. He lamented: “I felt that we had lost our cultural identity in the built environment.” 

This initial frustration led to the establishment of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1977, which went on to revolutionise the way Islamic architecture was practised globally.

The award aimed not only to recognise aesthetic beauty but also to explore deeper issues of cultural continuity and the social impact of architecture.

In a speech delivered in 2013, the Aga Khan explained: “The Award was designed from the start not only to honour exceptional achievement, but also to pose fundamental questions: How could Islamic architecture embrace cultural continuity while addressing the needs of rapidly changing societies?”

With a prize fund of $1 million, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture became one of the most prestigious honours in the field. It recognised projects that combined sustainability, social impact, and cultural preservation. 

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Over 100 projects have received the award, from modest community-driven initiatives to grand public works. Notable recipients include the Hajj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and the Wadi Hanifa Wetlands Project in Riyadh.

His contributions did not go unnoticed. In 1998, The New York Times described him as “the most important figure in the world of architecture today,” in recognition of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

The Aga Khan’s vision for architecture went far beyond simply giving prizes. His impact was also seen in restoration and conservation work, especially of Islamic heritage monuments. Historic city centres in Cairo, Zanzibar, and Aleppo were revitalised under the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

The restoration of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and the revitalisation of Stone Town in Zanzibar were particularly praised as models of how contemporary conservation could breathe new life into centuries-old monuments.

The Aga Khan also established the Aga Khan Programme for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These programmes were created to help people study Islamic design, city planning, and preservation more deeply.

As he himself put it, “Architecture is a human process, and I wanted to make sure that the process of change was driven by the inspiration and knowledge that were important in our part of the world.”

The Aga Khan’s interest in architecture was just one part of his larger goal to improve life in developing countries.

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Through his Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which he started in 1967, billions of dollars were invested in hospitals, schools, universities, and cultural programmes around the world.

The AKDN employed over 96,000 workers in more than 30 countries, with a range of projects from healthcare to cultural preservation.

His dream for architecture extended beyond the Muslim world. In 2014, the Aga Khan Museum, designed by Fumihiko Maki, was inaugurated in Toronto, celebrating the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Islamic civilisations.

The museum’s minimalist design, fusing traditional Islamic motifs with modernist ideals, summed up the Aga Khan’s faith in the ability of architecture to overcome cultural and temporal barriers.

Reflecting on his architectural legacy, the Aga Khan once stated: “We are building for a longer time-span.” 

He saw architecture as more than just a profession—it was a cultural and moral responsibility. His work encouraged architects to think about the future, especially for societies that couldn’t easily adapt to rapid, consumer-driven changes.

When he passed away, the world lost a visionary who transformed architecture from being just an art form into something that drives social and cultural growth.

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