ISLAMABAD: A skills development institute in Islamabad has been chosen as one of seven winners of the prestigious Aga Khan Architecture Award 2025, awarded for the design of its building which has been inspired by both Pakistani and Arab traditions, state media reported on Thursday.
Developed by Islamabad-based architectural firm DB Studios, ‘Vision Pakistan’ is a multistory skills development institute in Islamabad whose architectural elements draw inspiration from both Pakistan and Arab traditions.
The Agha Khan Architecture Award 2025, founded in 1977, seeks to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of societies across the world in which Muslims have a significant presence.
“Vision Pakistan, a skill development institute based in Islamabad, has been honored with the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2025, one of the most prestigious accolades in the field of design and urban development,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in its report.
“Infused with architectural elements drawn from both Pakistani and Arab traditions, the building stands as the heart of a charitable initiative committed to equipping young individuals with practical skills and renewed purpose.”
The project was one of seven winners chosen from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iran, Palestine and Pakistan. Each winning project was recognized for its “exceptional design” and social impact, the state-run media said.
Designed by architect Saifullah Siddiqui, Vision Pakistan is a vocational center for underprivileged youth and offers them training in tailoring, literacy and life skills, according to the APP.
Siddiqui said his team always factors in climate change for every project, applying sustainable design principles throughout their work.
“The building itself draws inspiration from Pakistani and Arab architectural traditions, blending cultural heritage with contemporary functionality,” Siddiqui said, according to the APP.
His client Rushda Tariq Qureshi said the project was “aesthetically remarkable and socially transformative.”
“This is more than just a beautiful space,” APP quoted her as saying. “Any young person who has never been part of an organized classroom or envisioned a brighter future finds this place completely transformative.”
The report said the award was a “proud moment” for Pakistan’s architectural community, highlighting the role of designing in uplifting lives and promoting inclusive development.
