Yasmeen Lari, Pakistan’s first female architect, has been awarded the King Royal Gold Medal for Architecture in the UK for her pioneering work in promoting zero-carbon self-build concepts for displaced populations.
The British High Commission in Pakistan congratulated Lari in a tweet and shared photos of students from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain who had gathered in London to build two low-carbon structures designed by Lari.
The Royal Gold Medal, one of the world’s highest accolades for architecture, is awarded to individuals or groups who have had a significant impact on the advancement of architecture. Previous recipients include Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, and Frank Lloyd Wright. The award will be presented to Yasmeen Lari in June 2023.
Lari, who co-founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan in 1980, has had a transformative impact on architecture and humanitarian work in Pakistan. After retiring in 2000, she focused on creating accessible, environmentally friendly construction techniques to help communities affected by natural disasters and climate change. She has designed over 50,000 dwellings in the country.
Yasmeen Lari’s recognition as the recipient of the King Royal Gold Medal for Architecture is a remarkable achievement, not only for her but for Pakistan as well. As the first female architect of the country, Lari’s work has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of architecture in Pakistan and has had a significant impact on humanitarian work in the region.
Lari’s focus on environmentally friendly and self-build sustainable housing techniques has been critical in addressing the needs of displaced populations in Pakistan. Her approach has been instrumental in creating affordable housing options for communities below the poverty line, as well as those impacted by natural disasters and climate change.
