Aga Khan Trust for Culture
In 2017, the government in India identified 15 stepwells in Delhi for restoration. In 2019 the Aga Khan Trust for Culture partnered with the German Embassy in India to restore a stepwell in the Humayun Tomb complex in Delhi. States can leverage new technologies to modify traditional water systems for local requirements. In a nation where 600 million people – around half the population – face severe water shortages daily, traditional water-harvesting solutions are a harbinger of hope. "With India's water table rapidly declining, stepwells can help refill ground aquifers and harvest runoffs. In three months during the rainy season, millions of litres of water can be collected," says Ratish Nanda, a conservation architect and projects' director at the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
The Ismaili Centre Dubai hosted the second Annual Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Diplomatic Luncheon. The event brought together representatives of various diplomatic missions in the UAE from more than 32 countries, along with representatives from numerous international agencies such as Unicef, Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, Dubai Cares amongst others. The Ismaili Centre Dubai provided the backdrop to the annual event designed as an expression of appreciation for the support and collaboration of the many governments and agencies in attendance. It also highlighted the work of Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). Richard Stockdale, managing director and CEO of Sustainable Energies Scotland Limited and a guest at the event, said: “The Annual AKDN lunch brought together a senior international audience whom I know from conversations and who have shared the same positive views as I hold.”
As part of a broad initiative to bring Cairo’s Islamic heritage to light, the Altinbugha al-Maridani Mosque, located in Cairo’s historic Darb al-Ahmar district, has been restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture with funding from the European Union.
As part of a broad initiative to bring Cairo's Islamic heritage to light, the Altinbugha al-Maridani Mosque, located in Cairo's historic Darb al-Ahmar district has been restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) with funding from the European Union. The Mosque restoration project, which began in December 2018, was completed in June 2021.
The members of the Master Jury for the 2020-2022 Cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture were announced today. The Jury, which independently selects the recipients of the US$ 1 million Award, will convene in January 2022 to select a shortlist from hundreds of nominated projects.
A group of senior government officials and experts in India will be visiting 20 historical monuments today to survey the heritage sites. The team members comprise of the state government’s Redevelopment Plan Committee and others from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is currently restoring the Qutb Shahi tombs in the city. The officials and experts are undertaking the survey based on a direction by the Telangana High Court, which requested the state Tourism and Culture department’s principal secretary and the historical monuments protection committee to formulate a comprehensive plan to redevelop 27 identified historical monuments, including Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi tombs, in the state within six weeks. The court made the AKTC part of the committee after a senior counsel brought to the notice of the court AKTC’s expertise in protection and renovation of monuments.
Explorations by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park have unearthed the remains of a previously excavated mosque, several water-holding structures and artefacts. These were buried underneath the debris and vegetation close to the north of hamam (the mortuary bath) where excavations were held between 1969 and 1971. It appears to have been a residential settlement. Some of the antiques found in the debris during the excavations were glazed pottery, remnants of blue and white porcelain, celandon-ware, glazed ceramic tiles and terracotta figurines — sparking renewed interest and understanding of the heritage site’s archaeological importance. The Quli Qutb Shah Heritage Park comprising the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex and Deccan Park, is one of the most significant historic medieval necropolises with 70 structures within its complex, encompassing 40 mausoleums, 23 mosques, five step-wells/water structures, a hamam, pavilions, garden structures and walls.
Making Paradise, a group exhibition currently on view on at The Aga Khan Centre Gallery, explores the concept of Eden through art and Islamic Garden design. Curator Esen Kaya says that at the heart of the exhibition’s narrative is the presentation of a film made in 2018 by AKDN depicting the many garden restoration and development projects achieved around the world. She says that crucially, the film conveys His Highness the Aga Khan’s message about the significance of gardens as important spaces that build bridges, bring communities together and act as catalysts for change, particularly in this time of growing nationalism and migration of cultures and identities. The inclusion of this film is to share AKDN’s incredible global portfolio and show how nature is a gift of God, and humankind is responsible for its preservation.
Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has restored, conserved and rehabilitated four historical houses situated on the southern side of Chowk Wazir Khan. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture started this conservation and rehabilitation project in August 2019 and completed it in May 2021. The conservation project has reclaimed the southern facade of Chowk Wazir Khan through enhancing and improving visual impact of the urban environment. The project was executed following demolition of structures, structural consolidation of foundations and walls, and replacement of deteriorated structural floors and roofing. In addition, new spaces were added, as well as decorative architectural features, lime-based finishes, construction of a new staircase, streetscaping and provision of modern amenities.
Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) in partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has completed the conservation of the Shah Burj, Waterproofing of Sheesh Mahal Attic Roof, Naulakha Pavilion and the Drainage Improvement in the Shah Burj Section at the Lahore Fort. The conservation of Shah Burj was started in 2017 and included a block of monuments located in the north-western corner of the Lahore Fort. Director General WCLA Kamran Lashari said, "we are proud to have partners like AKTC with us who have international experience in conservation and restoration works. We are thankful to them for bringing back the lost glory of the monuments within the Lahore Fort. This partnership has resulted in many successful projects."
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