From the very first school awarded (the Pondok Pesantren Pabelan in Indonesia), to the most recent (the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs in Beirut), the design and construction of educational facilities within Muslim communities around the world has been a key theme throughout the history of the Award.

As is well known education has been a central tenet in the Aga Khan’s personal philanthropic endeavors so it is most appropriate to begin by highlighting the unique and important role that design has played within the context of recognized educational institutions.

The purpose of this lecture will be to succinctly outline the significant place educational institutions have had throughout the history of the Award. Potential explanations for this will be articulated and the various and diverse reasons why certain schools were chosen as recipients will frame the lecture.

Hedrick, Christian. “Designing Education: The Role of Architecture in Aga Khan Award Winning Schools .” Presentation developed for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Education Programme, 2018.