Pakistan’s first female architect Yasmeen Lari awarded Royal Gold Medal for Architecture of Charles’s Reign

April 27, 2023

Yasmeen Lari, the country's first female architect, has been awarded the prestigious Royal Gold Medal for architecture of Charles’s reign. The award, presented by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), recognizes Lari's outstanding contribution to the field of architecture.

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In a historic moment for Pakistan, Yasmeen Lari, the country’s first female architect, has been awarded the prestigious Royal Gold Medal for Architecture of Charles’s reign. The award, presented by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), recognizes Lari’s outstanding contribution to the field of architecture, particularly zero carbon self-build houses for displaced populations..

Yasmin Lari at Zero Carbon Women Centre Source: Heritage Foundation of Pakistan — Yasmeen Lari at Zero Carbon Women Centre, Pakistan © Heritage Foundation of Pakistan

Lari, 81, began her career in the 1960s and has since worked on several iconic buildings across Pakistan. She is also the founder of the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, an organization that works to protect and preserve the country’s rich architectural heritage.

In a statement, RIBA said that “Lari’s work in Pakistan has shown that, with the right education and support, women can not only excel in the field of architecture but can also help to shape a better future for their communities.”

The award comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with a range of social, economic, and environmental challenges. Lari’s work has focused on addressing some of these challenges through ecologically sensitive, sustainable and inclusive architecture.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award, and I hope it will inspire more women in Pakistan to pursue careers in architecture,” Lari said in a statement.

“Architecture has the power to transform communities and improve people’s lives, and I believe that it is important for women to be part of this transformative process.”
Yasmeen Lari

The Royal Gold Medal is awarded annually by RIBA and is considered one of the most prestigious accolades in the field of architecture. Previous winners include Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, and Norman Foster.

Lari’s achievement is not only a milestone for Pakistan but also a testament to the power of women in the field of architecture. Her work serves as an inspiration to future generations of architects, particularly women, who aspire to make a positive impact on society through their work.

In 2022, Indian architect B.V.Doshi was honoured with the RIBA Gold Medal award.

News Source: Architecture.com

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Pakistan’s first female architect Yasmeen Lari awarded Royal Gold Medal for Architecture of Charles’s Reign

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Pakistan’s first female architect Yasmeen Lari awarded Royal Gold Medal for Architecture of Charles’s Reign

Rajesh Advani

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Recent

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Wall As a Public Space “To read public space only as a spatial condition, as a matter of square footage, zoning, or physical access, is to miss half the picture.”—Reshma Esther Thomas

The Map That Was Never Yours “If publicness is reduced to what is legally accessible, then these landscapes were never public to begin with.”—V.V. Kusum Priya

“Appropriation of public spaces is the genesis of political movements, of ideological apparatus, and of endangering the city’s multi-dimensional fabric.”—Dr. Seema Khanwalkar

“… people like Sen [Kapadia] don’t really leave. They become the questions we continue to ask.”—A Tribute by Nuru Karim

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“To read public space only as a spatial condition, as a matter of square footage, zoning, or physical access, is to miss half the picture.”
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“… people like Sen [Kapadia] don’t really leave. They become the questions we continue to ask.”
—A Tribute by Nuru Karim