The charity Vision Pakistan project by DB Studio recognised with the 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture offers a ‘second chance’ to disadvantaged 16-to-25-year-old males who have fallen into aggression, depression, drug use and/or crime. Its holistic year-long programme trains them as master tailors and equips them with literacy, life skills for harmonious social independence and a basic, peace-focused understanding of Islam.
Its new facility in this dense peri-urban area accommodates 40-50 students plus tutors, management and support staff. The programme includes five flexibly designed classrooms; dining room; recreation spaces; management offices; limited staff boarding; exhibition areas; shops; and rooftop prayer area with student-maintained kitchen garden. Some spaces can be rented out individually as a funding stream.
A central atrium with tall anchor tree fosters daylighting, natural ventilation, calm and visual connectivity throughout the building. Exposed services promote ease of maintenance. Some windows feature colourful pierced metal screens (Jaali), offering sun shading and privacy while bringing a festive presence to the bare concrete walls. Their geometric patterns are inspired by Pakistani and Arab crafts and 1960s Islamabad architecture, and their colours echo those used in the neighbourhood’s vernacular culture to evoke positivity.
Gallery:
Gallery (Drawing):
Project Details:
Name: Vision Pakistan
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Status: Completed (2023)
Area: 848 sq.m
Typology: Public Architecture
Designed by: DB Studios/Mohammad Saifullah Siddiqui
Landscape Architect: Israr & Associates/ Landscape Architecture Practice, Mian Israr Ahmed
Structure Engineer: Engineering & Services Design, Design Men, Mujeeb Ahmad
MEP Consultant: Saleem Niazi
Contractor: Adnan Builder, Abdul Waheed
Site Supervisor: Adnan Builder, Naqeeb Khan
Photographs: Usman Saqib Zuberi with Courtesy of Aga Khan Trust for Culture
