Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

The village school that Diebedo Francis Kere designed in the West African nation of Burkina Faso is modest in scale. But the ambition it represents is grand.

2005, January 25: Washington, DC?The National Building Museum?s fifth Vincent Scully Prize has been presented to His Highness The Aga Khan. A Cocktail reception was held at 7:00 p.m. Dinner was followed by tributes to His Highness The Aga Khan from Charles Correa and by James Wolfensohn. Upon receiving the Vincent Scully Prize, H.H. The Aga Khan made a short speech of acceptance. A roundtable was held at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Washington [Maryland/12th str] with some journalists.

The Aga Khan was awarded the fifth Vincent Scully Prize last night at a ceremony in Washington, honouring him for his contributions to design excellence and the 'improvement of the built environment in the Muslim world.' The award, named after the famous Yale architect, author and educator, was started in 1999 to recognize 'exemplary practice, scholarship or criticism in architecture, historic preservation and urban design.'

Aga Khan, the prince of architecture, was honoured for his work in a field that can 'improve the quality of life' and 'mirror the plurality of cultural traditions.'The Great Hall of the National Building Museum is a breathtaking space. The ceiling rises 15 storeys above the floor at its tallest point, and its interior Corinthian columns are among the tallest in the world.