As an architect with two decades of commitment to the principles of low-energy and low-embodied carbon designs, I have come to appreciate the potency of architecture as an instrument of transformation. Today, I invite you on an engaging journey as we uncover the remarkable achievements of Yasmeen Lari, an inspiring Pakistani architect whose trailblazing work has garnered the prestigious 2023 Royal Gold Medal. It is a tale not only of architectural accomplishment but also of profound social and environmental change led by a woman whose career embodies the essence of humanitarian architecture.
One of the most illustrious honours in the world of architecture, the Royal Gold Medal, is conferred in recognition of an architect’s lifetime achievements. Approved personally by the Monarch, the Medal honours an individual or group whose significant influence has markedly advanced the realm of architecture.
Yasmeen Lari, the 2023 recipient, is known for her passion and determination to use architecture as a tool for social and ecological justice. As the first female architect from Pakistan and a co-founder of the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, Lari has been a potent advocate for the rights of women and the underprivileged and a resolute proponent of zero carbon footprint designs.
Having carved out a niche for herself as the ‘Architect for the Poorest of the Poor,’ Lari’s path to architectural eminence has been anything but ordinary. Her deeply humanitarian focus has centred on serving her country’s most marginalized communities, leading her down uncharted paths, often described as “vagabond pathways” in her own words.
In her relentless pursuit of social justice and ecological conservation, Lari established the concept of Barefoot Social Architecture (BASA). This revolutionary approach combines principles of social and ecological justice, empowering marginalised sections of society through traditional and sustainable methodologies. By imparting training in low-tech, participatory, and disaster-resilient techniques, Lari has empowered numerous disaster-affected communities, particularly women, towards self-reliance.
Lari’s journey, marked by incredible personal and professional transformation, saw her transition from running a large practice focused on catering to international clientele, to dedicating herself exclusively to humanitarian causes. This shift from mainstream architecture to humanitarian and conservation work was catalysed by her retirement from her architectural firm in 2000.
Having designed some of Pakistan’s most iconic projects during her mainstream architectural career, Lari turned her expertise towards conserving her country’s historical treasures post-retirement. Her meticulous conservation work spans Makli and Lahore Fort – both World Heritage sites – as well as several 19th-century British Colonial buildings scattered across Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar.
Lari’s recognition with the 2023 Royal Gold Medal signals a paradigm shift in architectural values, reflecting a growing emphasis on social responsibility, ecological sensitivity, and inclusivity. As she reflected on her award, Lari voiced her hope that this recognition would motivate architects to dedicate their skills to addressing global disparities, conflicts, and climate change.
Lari’s work significantly incorporates the principles of circular economy, de-growth, transition design, and eco-urbanism. By championing the concept of zero carbon and zero waste construction, she has addressed the urgent need for affordable housing and basic services, while creatively utilizing everyday materials and traditional crafts to produce sustainable and culturally sensitive architecture.
RIBA President Simon Allford, who chaired the committee that selected Lari, extolled her inspirational figure and her work. Allford underscored Lari’s mission of empowering Pakistan’s populace through architecture, lauding her for demonstrating how architecture can transform lives and mitigate the physical and psychological damage wrought by natural disasters.
The Royal Gold Medal selection committee for 2023, chaired by Simon Allford, comprised of distinguished personalities such as Ivan Harbour, Cornelia Parker CBE RA, Neal Shasore, and Cindy Walters. They unanimously hailed Yasmeen Lari’s immense contributions and selected her as the laureate, a testament to her exceptional impact on the architectural world.
In conclusion, the story of Yasmeen Lari is one of resilience, perseverance, and transformative architecture. Her journey serves as an inspiration for all architects, including myself, who strive to weave the principles of sustainability, justice, and resilience into the fabric of our work. As we move forward in our careers, let us remember the work of architects like Yasmeen, whose footprints have left indelible impressions in the sands of architecture, showing us the power of architecture as a tool for societal and environmental change.
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