Mediating resistance: examining critical regionalism(s) in the arab world through the aga khan award for architecture

Historiographical examination of architectural regionalism in the arab world

The study examines the evolution and impact of critical regionalism and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) on the architectural culture of the Arab world. As modernism’s global influence waned, critical regionalism emerged as a resistance to perceived global homogenisation, while the AKAA sought to center such discourse around ‘authentic’ built identities in postcolonial contexts. This work explores how these frameworks influenced Arab architecture's engagement with modernity, tradition, and identity. Through historiographical analysis, the study highlights intersections and deviations between critical regionalism and AKAA, discussing their relevance and potential in addressing the pressing architectural challenges of our time.

Autore
Ayman Hassanen

Docente
Filippo De Pieri