아가한 건축상과 남아시아 현대 이슬람 건축의 이해

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture and an Assessment of Contemporary Islamic Architecture in South Asia

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the endeavors led by the Aga Khan IV, the hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailis who form the second-largest branch of Shia Islam. Initiated in 1977 and awarded every three years, the last Award was presented in 2013, with its prestige rivalling the annual Pritzker Architecture Prize. However,while the Aga Khan Award for Architecture rewards projects which demonstrate architectural excellence and respond to their social, economic, technical, physical, and environmental challenges, it also emphasizes a heightened awareness of the roots and essence of Muslim culture, as well as the potential to stimulate related developments elsewhere in the Muslim world. This article examines the awardees of South Asia, focusing on three examples: the Mughal Sheraton Hotel, Agra; Sher-e Bangla Nagar or the National Assembly Building, Dhaka; and the Grameen Bank Housing Program of Bangladesh. Through these examples, I argue that the Award has been responsive to the history and plights of South Asian Muslims; however,I argue its emphasis on Mughal heritage has discouraged further development and understanding of contemporary Islamic architecture and its vocabulary in South Asia.