Middle Eastern Marvels Shortlisted for 2025 Aga Khan Award

The 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture shortlist is here, and the Middle East is in the spotlight. From Egypt’s revived markets to Iran’s vibrant domes, these standout projects offer fresh visions of culture and community.

Revitalisation of Historic Esna, Egypt

Once overlooked in Upper Egypt, Esna is now buzzing with new life thanks to a revitalisation project by Takween Integrated Community Development. This initiative addresses cultural tourism challenges in Upper Egypt, focusing on inclusive growth and protecting the city’s rich heritage. Fifteen architecturally significant sites have been restored, markets have been upgraded, and historic buildings given fresh purpose. Local materials and traditional techniques are at the core, while over 430 local participants, many of whom are women, are now empowered to shape Esna’s future.

Majara Complex and Community Redevelopment, Hormuz Island, Iran

Known as the 'rainbow island' for its multicoloured mountains, Hormuz was once a vital trading port before conflict took its toll. Now, the Majara Complex by ZAV Architects is rewriting its story. Majara Residence offers comfortable tourist and art/design residency accommodation, along with all-community spaces like a public library, oral history studios, and a recycling centre. Drawing inspiration from the island’s richly coloured soils and varied textures, 200 domes of different sizes are organically grouped throughout the site, forming an energetic, welcoming destination that bridges Hormuz’s heritage with its creative ambitions.

Jahad Metro Plaza, Tehran, Iran

As Tehran’s car-dominated expansion erodes the fabric of urban life, Jahad Metro Plaza is part of a movement to reclaim the city for its people. Designed by KA Architecture Studio, the plaza reinvents a major intersection with striking handmade brickwork, built rapidly and resourcefully by local craftspeople, a nod to Iran’s architectural legacy and a revival of materials once central to the city’s identity. Iranian wood adds warmth and authenticity, while arched vaults create a strong visual connection across different levels. Natural airflow and daylight fill the interiors, making the plaza both sustainable and inviting.

Shamalat Cultural Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Aiming to weave historic spaces into the fabric of daily life, Shamalat Cultural Centre, designed by Syn Architects, sits on the edge of Diriyah. This creative hub was born from the transformation of a traditional mud house, into a venue for arts and community engagement. The centre’s design is rooted in local context, offering flexible spaces for exhibitions, performances, and workshops. Its architecture is both contemporary and deeply respectful of Saudi traditions, providing a platform for cultural exchange and creative expression.

Revitalisation of Lalla Yeddouna Square, Fez, Morocco

Set in one of the world’s largest UNESCO heritage sites, the medina of Fez, the revitalisation of Lalla Yeddouna Square stands out as a community-chosen transformation. Selected by locals through a competition and led by Mossessian Architecture and Yassir Khalil Studio, the project reconnects the square to the riverfront and breathes new life into the heart of the old city. With the restoration of the historic bridge and 11 existing buildings, plus nine new structures, this renewal elegantly blends Fez’s storied past with a vibrant, contemporary spirit.

Morocco Pavilion, Expo Dubai 2020

The Morocco Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020, designed by OUALALOU+CHOI, is a celebration of heritage and innovation. Serving as a model for how traditional rammed-earth techniques can be adapted with modern technology, the pavilion brings together exhibition spaces, restaurants, shops, and offices around a sunlit courtyard. A gently winding ramp, evoking the meandering streets of a Moroccan medina, connects its many levels, offering visitors a contemporary journey through Moroccan culture and craftsmanship.

Wonder Cabinet, Bethlehem, Palestine

Overlooking the dramatic Al-Karkafeh Valley in Bethlehem, the Wonder Cabinet, designed by AAU Anastas, is a non-profit, multi-purpose exhibition and production space designed to spark creativity across the region. It’s more than just a gallery, this hub is dedicated to empowering Palestinian artists, engineers, designers, and makers by providing collaborative workspaces and fostering a culture of artisanal learning. The visitor experience is immersive: sweeping views open up to the valley, while a dramatic vertical void draws guests down to the underground levels, seamlessly linking all floors and inviting exploration at every turn.

The Ned Hotel, Doha, Qatar

The former Ministry of Interior building, an icon of Middle Eastern brutalism, has been reborn as a 90-room boutique hotel with seven restaurants. Carefully restored and topped with a new floor, The Ned features lush gardens, art installations, and a podium shaded by concrete ribs. Inside, the hotel’s heart is a lively courtyard surrounded by bars and restaurants, while the rooftop spa and club lounge offer panoramic views of the Persian Sea and Doha skyline.