Research Article

Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award

Volume: 14 Number: 1 March 31, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award

Abstract

The Aga Khan Architecture Awards have played a significant role in the field of architecture by prioritizing projects that benefit society and promote sustainability. However, considering the male-dominated architectural environment in the Middle East, further examination of the contributions of female architects who have received this award constitutes the primary area of concern for this study. This research aims to examine the projects for which female architects have received the Aga Khan Architecture Award, their design approaches, prominent features, and the nature of the awards. Additionally, it examines the architects’ countries, educational backgrounds, and economic conditions to assess their contributions to the spaces and cities they inhabit. The main aim of the study is to reveal the impact of award-winning projects led by female architects in the Middle East on cities and communities, while also raising awareness of gender representation in architecture by highlighting women’s achievements within a traditionally male-dominated professional context. In this study, six projects were selected from among those that won or were shortlisted for the Aga Khan Architecture Awards, featuring women as the sole authors. These projects were systematically evaluated based on the criteria of contextual connectivity, community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and provided amenities, as established by Moscatelli, Raffa, and Ulusoy Shipstone. It aims to highlight and make visible the achievements and awards of women in the architectural world. By doing so, it seeks to encourage and present role models for other women in the architecture field.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architectural Design, Architecture (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 31, 2026

Submission Date

June 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 1

APA
Şahin, E., Saraç, M., Ergül, S., & Aycı, H. (2026). Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning, 14(1), 1-18. https://izlik.org/JA94XK92WD
AMA
1.Şahin E, Saraç M, Ergül S, Aycı H. Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award. GUJSPB. 2026;14(1):1-18. https://izlik.org/JA94XK92WD
Chicago
Şahin, Ezgi, Melike Saraç, Sümeyye Ergül, and Hilal Aycı. 2026. “Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning 14 (1): 1-18. https://izlik.org/JA94XK92WD.
EndNote
Şahin E, Saraç M, Ergül S, Aycı H (March 1, 2026) Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning 14 1 1–18.
IEEE
[1]E. Şahin, M. Saraç, S. Ergül, and H. Aycı, “Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award”, GUJSPB, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1–18, Mar. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA94XK92WD
ISNAD
Şahin, Ezgi - Saraç, Melike - Ergül, Sümeyye - Aycı, Hilal. “Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning 14/1 (March 1, 2026): 1-18. https://izlik.org/JA94XK92WD.
JAMA
1.Şahin E, Saraç M, Ergül S, Aycı H. Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award. GUJSPB. 2026;14:1–18.
MLA
Şahin, Ezgi, et al. “Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning, vol. 14, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 1-18, https://izlik.org/JA94XK92WD.
Vancouver
1.Ezgi Şahin, Melike Saraç, Sümeyye Ergül, Hilal Aycı. Evaluation of the Design Criteria of Women Architects in the Aga Khan Award. GUJSPB [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 1;14(1):1-18. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA94XK92WD