Sixteen entries of the eighteen received were anonymously presented to the Jury. The jurors shortlisted four projects which seemed close to the philosophy of the Award for further review and deliberations and unanimously declared the thesis titled, ’Socio-Economic Upliftment of Lyari Community through Reorganization of Spaces’ by Ms. Sana Hameed of NED University as winning entry. An honorable mention was given to Mr. Farrukh Ahmad Salman of Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture for his thesis titled, ‘Panah-e-Salik’.

The announcement was made by one of the Jury members, Ar. Khadija Jamal Shaban at a graceful ceremony held on April 24, 2016 at Gala Night on the occasion of IAPEX Karachi. Jointly instituted in 2012 by IAP and KBA – CARE (Kausar Bashir Ahmad Center for Architecture, Research and Education), IAP-Kausar Bashir Ahmad Award is conferred annually to the best thesis design work in the domain of socially responsive architectural design. All accredited schools imparting architectural education in Pakistan are invited to send maximum two nominations for this Award. The Award comprises of a gold medal and Rs. 25,000/= cash prize. This year, it was the fourth cycle of the Award for the year 2015-16 hosted by IAP-Karachi Chapter. The Award conferment took place during closing session of IAPEX Karachi in the presence of prominent architects from Pakistan, students, faculty and building industry representatives. To enlighten the participants about the life-long achievements of Prof. Kausar Bashir Ahmad, the President KBA – CARE, Prof. Dr. Noman Ahmed made a brief presentation titled, ‘Professor Kausar Bashir Ahmad: Contributions, Impacts and Legacy’. He unfolded many aspects of Kausar sahab’s life as an artist and shared some of his oil paintings that still adorn the Middle East Technical University Library at Ankara. Dr. Noman told the participants that Kausar sahab not only served the institutions as an educationist, but he possessed good qualities of leadership to build institutions. His quest for searching new knowledge produced many scholarly papers. Besides this, he used to write poems encompassing various topics including the prevailing social unjust in the society. “Socially responsive architecture was considered as the core philosophy adopted and promoted by Kausar Bashir Ahmad”, said Dr. Noman who further told the participants that Kausar sahab believed that the profession of architecture should not be confined to a particular segment of the society. “Socially Responsive Architecture offers a platform where architects can become a part of the community of social entrepreneurs,” explained Dr. Noman Ahmed. Describing the vision of Kausar sahib for architectural education in the society, Dr. Noman highlighted that Kausar sahab was a great promoter of incorporating spirit of new age with humanistic values, enabling architects to develop expression across modern times, integrating indigenous traditions in research and equipping architects to evolve individual contribution as an expression of the whole society. His presentation was followed up by a digital screen display of the nominations received for this Award by the Award Convenor, Ar. Farida Abdul Gahffar. She briefed about the Award process and the jury which was composed of following professionals:

• Ar. Ali Zafar Qazi, President IAP
• Ar. Arshad Faruqui, Chairman Board of Architectural Education
• Ar. Yawar Abbas Jilani, Nominee IAP National Council
• Ar. Arif Hasan, Nominee KBA – CARE
• Ar. Khadija Jamal, Nominee KBA – CARE.

She informed the participants that 18 accredited schools of architecture throughout Pakistan were invited to nominate the best thesis projects under the domain of Socially Responsive Architecture. Maximum two entries were requested from each school and in return they received 18 entries from 12 schools. Two nominations were disqualified due to late submission. Others included:

1. Adnan Hussain – Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta; Healing through Design – Cancer Hospital at Gilgit
2. Al Shima Rehman – NED University, Karachi; Architecture for Khawaja Sira – Rehabilitation of a mindset by bridging the commonalities between two humans of the society through Architecture
3. Farrukh Ahmad Salman – Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture, Karachi; Panah-e-Salik
4. Farzana Qurban Ali – Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta; The Family Shelter
5. Hafiza Fatima – Kanwal Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi; Affordability and Quality for Low Cost Housing
6. Hamid Ullah – UET Peshawar, Abbottabad Campus; Communal Reminiscence through Genius Loci
7. Hareem Falak – National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad; The Stamp of the Street – Bridging the gaps, A journey from streets to learning
8. Iram Saleemi + Hassan Wajid – Beaconhouse National University, Lahore; Regeneration of Historic Fabric: Sikh Cultural Center
9. Maaz Khan Niazi – National College of Arts, Rawalpindi; Formulating Slums- Re-Designing 100 Quarters Colony
10. Muhammad Ahad – Beaconhouse National University, Lahore; Re-Imagining Tarogil
11. Muhammad Saadain Maqbool – Visual Studies Department, University of Karachi; Revitalizing Hope
12. Murk Soomro – Center of Excellence of Art and Design, MUET, Jamshoro; Towards and essential approach of sustainable human habitat with an analysis of current practices in urban space
13. Sana Hameed – NED University, Karachi; Socio-Economic Upliftment of Lyari Community through Reorganization of Spaces
14. Shakeel Ahmed – National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad; House of Reunion
15. Trevor Anthony – Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture; Karachi Cathedral Piazza Design
16. Umar Ejaz – University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore; Vertical Mosque – Symbolizing Ascending Spirit from Soil to Sky

After presenting all entries before the audience, Ar. Khadija Jamal was invited to announce the winning entry and read citations as concluded by the jury. The winner, Ms. Sana Hameed was presented with a cash prize and a gold medal and Mr. Farrukh Ahmad Salman was given a Certificate by the President IAP, Ar. Ali Zafar Qazi accompanied by Chairman IAP – Karachi Chapter, Ar. Arif Changezi, Chairman BAE, Ar. Arshad Faruqui and President KBA – CARE, Dr. Noman Ahmed.

CITATION: Citation for winning entries was read out by Ar. Khadija Jamal as follows: Sana Hameed of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi is awarded the KBA Award for the most outstanding Thesis Project on Socially Responsive Architecture titled Socio-Economic Upliftment of Lyari Community through Reorganization of Spaces. The Citation states that the:

1) Design turns around an existing dilapidated building in the heart of Lyari which is already an existing place for community and street activities.

2) The re-use of the building and additions to it not only cater to street activity in a more organized manner but also add and enhance the quality to its social environment.

3) Additions to the building also include a theater which revives a space for a street activity that previously existed in Lyari.

4) The architecture is modest and the design interventions respect that modesty in a sensitive manner.

5) Finally the project is realistic and if executed will go a long way in providing the Lyariites a possibility of healing the wounds of conflict. Architectural details have also been worked out diligently and indicate a depth of understanding of the physical and social context. The presentation communicates the research work and design concepts very clearly through well-presented sketches and 3-D images.

The honorable mention is given to Mr. Farrukh Ahmad Salman of Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture for his thesis titled, ‘Panah-e-Salik’. It was a difficult subject giving the nature of the social taboo involved in rag picking activities and its relation to urban space for habitation purposes. The student has accepted the social realities and he, without trying to impose his own views on how the activities of the groups should be carried out, suggests restructuring of the spaces they use. The design essentially consists of reorganizing the living spaces around their most popular ‘place of work’ near garbage dumps below the city flyovers and bridges using mostly re-cycled material. The project has been dealt with much sensitivity and design aesthetics through a consistent thought process. The jury felt that while it would organise the target group it will cause formalised degradation to the urban fabric and the environment.