The Aga Khan is one of the most ardent patrons of architecture and historic preservation in the world. Since inheriting his title as spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, usually known as Ismailis, fifty years ago, he has fostered and commissioned numerous structures and restored a multitude of buildings from North America to East Africa. The prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, first given in 1980, recognizes projects that benefit the Muslim world for their excellence in contemporary design, community improvement and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation. For the first time, this book presents projects from universities and historic restoration programs that bear the Aga Khan's name to religious centers, museums, and development efforts in more than twenty countries. Through the Aga Khan Development Network, the Aga Khan occupies a unique place in the world of architecture and this book reveals the range and breadth of his activities. 230 colour and 70 b/w illustrations.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Builder of Bridges, 6; The Processes of Change: Interview with His Highness the Aga Khan, 36; The Aga Khan Award for Architecture: 1977-2007 and beyond, 46; Water Towers - Kuwait City, Kuwait, 50; Agricultural Training Centre - Nianing, Senegal, 52; Hajj Terminal - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 54; Great Mosque - Niono, Mali, 56; National Assembly Building, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 58; Institut du Monde Arabe - Paris, France, 60; Grameen Bank Housing Programme - Various Locations, Bangladesh, 64; Kaedi Regional Hospital - Kaedi, Mauritania, 66; Mosque of the Grand National Assembly - Ankara, Turkey, 68; Menara Mesiniaga - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 70; Tuwaiq Palace - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 72; Kahere Elia Poultry Farming School - Koliagbe, Guinea, 76; Sandbag Shelter Prototypes - Various Locations, 78; Petronas Towers - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 80; The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, 82; Azhar Park - Cairo, Egypt, 86; Al-Darb al-Ahmar Projects - Cairo, Egypt, 96; Ayyubid Wall - Cairo, Egypt, 102; Restoration of Baltit Fort - Karimabad, Northern Areas, Pakistan, 106; Ganish Village Projects - Central Hunza, Northern Areas, Pakistan, 110; Restoration of Shigar Fort Complex - Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan, 112; Mostar Project Survey and Development Plans - Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 114; Conservation of Zanzibar Stone Town - Zanzibar, Tanzania, 118; Stone Town Cultural Centre - Zanzibar, Tanzania, 122; Zanzibar Serena Inn - Zanzibar, Tanzania, 124; Citadel of Salah al-Din - Lattakia, Syria, 126; Humayun's Tomb Complex Gardens - Delhi, India, 128; Restoration of the Great Mosque - Mopti, Mali, 130; Restoration of Djingareyber Mosque - Timbuktu, Mali, 134; Old City of Kabul - Kabul, Afghanistan, 136; Kabul Serena Hotel - Kabul, Afghanistan, 140. The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, 142; ArchNet.org, 146; Collections Documenting the Middle East at Harvard's Fine Arts Library, 148; The Aga Khan Professors, 150; The Priority of Education, 152; Aga Khan University - Karachi, Pakistan, 156; University of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, 162; Aga Khan Academies - Various Locations World Wide, 168; The Ismaili Centres, 170; Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana - London, United Kingdom, 174; Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana - Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, 182; Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana - Lisbon, Portugal, 184; Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana - Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 188; Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana - Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 190; The Challenge of Pluralism: Projects in Canada, 194; Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat - Ottawa, Canada, 198; Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana - Toronto, Canada, 202; Aga Khan Museum - Toronto, Canada, 206; Gardens of the Toronto Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum - Toronto, Canada, 212; Endmatter, 216.