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Pegged to be situated on a 20-acre site near the centre of Dhaka, the academy’s plan draws inspiration from historic educational institutions

Designs for the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka (a state-of-the-art,1200-student residential school planned for the capital) won the award for best ‘Future Education’ project at the World Architecture Festival 2017, held from November 15-17 in Berlin, Germany.

The award recognises the excellence of the school’s design as well as the project’s intention to generate a positive social impact.

A collaborative project between Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in London and Rafiq Azam of Shatotto in Dhaka, the academy will be the fourth school in the integrated network of Aga Khan Academies, being established in 18 locations across Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Pegged to be situated on a 20-acre site near the centre of Dhaka, the academy’s plan draws inspiration from historic educational institutions, including the earliest Buddhist universities in the region, according to a press release.
FCB Studios Managing Partner Ian Taylor said: “The design has been developed to encompass local construction technology, locally sourced materials and components wherever possible. Climatic challenges related to humidity control and management of conditions in the monsoon season are addressed through the development of appropriate low energy solutions to ventilation and cooling.”

The academy will include large decks to be used as external teaching areas, amphitheatres for multi-functional gatherings, and informal outdoor seminar spaces.
Moyez Alwani, head of design for the Aga Khan Academies, said:“Our hope is that by emphasizing the importance of inherited traditions and connecting these with leading pedagogical design principles, our students will better understand their place in a modern world.”

Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in 2018.