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We bring you the details of the seven projects worldwide that were last Saturday declared winners of the ninth cycle of the world's largest architectural awards, which have a triennial prize fund of $500,000. The awards ceremony took place in India at the historic fort built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in Agra, better known for the world famous Taj MahalOn 27 November, at a ceremony in India at the historical Agra Fort, His Highness the Aga Khan announced the seven recipients of the 2004 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

New Delhi: Religious leadership has always been linked with high finance. Uniquely, the institution of the Aga Khan has come to carry the ultimate lifestyle label as well. The triple burden sits lightly on the sharply cut shoulder pads of the present incumbent, revered by his 15 million followers in 25 countries as the 49th direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Anointed at 20, Prince Karim, now 68, has steered clear of both fundamentalism and the flashy life which killed his father, Prince Aly Khan.

As the Humayun tomb glowed like a jewel, the 9th Aga Khan Architecture Awards were presented by the Aga Khan in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.During early dusk, the cacophony of the birds trying to find their perch for the night almost drowned out the Aga Khan?s speech. Behind him, the serried arches of warmly lit red sandstone stretched and deepened.
The tomb rose to etch its domed silhouette against the sky. It was the perfect backdrop for the content of the Aga Khan?s speech which dwelt on the motivation behind the award and what it has achieved.

The Petronas Towers and a project to revitalise Old Jerusalem were among seven architectural achievements named as winners of the 2004 Aga Khan award for architecture.The prizes were presented by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, yesterday.

One of the world's most respected architectural awards, the 9th.Aga Khan Foundation Awards for Architecture, went this year to the B2 House designed by Turkish architect Han Tumertekin for Bilsar Tekstil's owners Selman and Suha Bilal. In the contest, which aims to understand and evaluate Islamic culture through architecture, a jury of nine people including artists, philosophers, architects and city planners evaluated 378 projects from 44 countries.Costing about $140,000, the B2 House's blend of comfort and design aspects with its innovative design won Tumertekin the award.

The Petronas Towers and a project to revitalise Old Jerusalem were among seven architectural achievements named as winners of the 2004 Aga Khan award for architecture.The prizes were presented by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, yesterday.

At the historical Humayun's Tomb, His Highness the Aga Khan, hereditary spiritual leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) together with India's Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh today announced the seven recipients of the 2004 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The announcement marked the completion of the ninth cycle of the programme. The Award, which has a triennial prize fund of US$ 500,000, is the world's largest architectural award. The seven projects selected by the 2004 Award Master Jury are:

The Petronas Twin Towers, which won the 2004 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, have been described as an icon that 'expresses the sophistication of contemporary Malaysian society and builds on the country's rich traditions to shape a world city'.
A statement from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Sunday said the twin towers represented a new direction in skyscraper design, featuring advanced technology while symbolising local and national aspirations.

THE WORLD of architecture overflows with awards, including the $100,000 American Pritzker Prize, the $200,000 Japanese Praemium Imperiale and Britain's RIBA Gold Medal, which was founded in 1848. All are trumped in key ways by the Aga Khan's triennial Awards for Architecture, which carries a bounty of $500,000 for projects that benefit Muslim communities.

Prime Minister,Excellencies,Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the historical Humayun?s Tomb, His Highness the Aga Khan, hereditary spiritual leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) together with India?s Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh today announced the seven recipients of the 2004 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The announcement marked the completion of the ninth cycle of the programme. The Award, which has a triennial prize fund of US$ 500,000, is the world?s largest architectural award. The seven projects selected by the 2004 Award Master Jury are: ??

A primary school, a village mosque and an ancient library located in different parts of the world were Saturday conferred the Aga Khan award for architecture in recognition of learning, faith, tradition and modernity.
Among the seven institutions cited were the Bibiliotheca Alexandria in Egypt, an indigenously-designed primary school in a Burkina Faso village, the (restored) Al-Abbas mosque in Yemen and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

An independent master jury selected them for the 2002-2004 awards cycle.