2010 Winners of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture

We've been waiting three years for the next round of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/aga-khan-awards-restoration-projects-in-yemen/" target="_blank">Aga Khan winners</a>, and we're happy to report that the top five projects of 2010 were just announced last week. The <a href="http://www.akdn.org/Content/1032" target="_blank">Aga Khan Award for Architecture</a> is a prestigious award given every three years to acknowledge and encourage excellence in architecture and other forms of intervention in the built environment, particularly where Muslims have a significant presence. This year, out of 409 projects submitted, the Master Jury whittled down the list to only 19 and then to the final five - all of which exemplify architecture that improves the lives of people in their communities. The winners include a school that bridges two sides of a town, a museum, a wetlands restoration project, a textile factory and a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/green-renovation" target="_blank">historic renovation project</a>. Read on to find out more about each winner.

<h3>Ipekyol Textile Factory</h3> </br> The Ipekyol Textile Factory is located in Edirne, Turkey and was designed by EAA (Emre Arolat Architects). The innovative and forward thinking textile factory was recognized for its spatial strategy, which integrates production goals with the well-being of employees.

<h3>Ipekyol Textile Factory</h3> </br> The U-shaped factory combines both administrative and production facilities under one roof, makes full use of the site as well as local materials, reduces energy use, enhances thermal performance and daylighting - all of which provide a pleasant working environment.

<h3>Bridge School</h3> </br> The Bridge School located in Xiashi, Fujian Province, China was designed by Li Xiaodong Atelier and bridges two sides of the small village that lie on either side of the creek.

<h3>Bridge School</h3> </br> The beautiful school constructed out of steel and local materials serves a dual purpose: providing space for a school and providing a safe means to cross the creek for all of the villagers.

<h3>Bridge School</h3> </br> The new school serves as the spiritual center of the town, offering up public space to congregate and a point of revitalization for the town. The school includes two classrooms and a public library.

<h3>Madinat al-Zahra Museum</h3> </br> The Madinat al-Zahra Museum in Cordoba, Spain was designed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, Fuensanta Nieto, Enrique Sobejano. The new museum celebrates the tenth-century palace city of Madinat al-Zahra, which is considered to be one of the most significant early Islamic archaeological sites in the world.

<h3>Madinat al-Zahra Museum</h3> </br> Excavations are still ongoing around the museum, and the museum serves as a place to display and interpret findings as well as training and research center for the archaeological team.

<h3>Madinat al-Zahra Museum</h3> </br> The museum harmoniously blends into the surrounding farmland as well as an important historical site. The structure is partially built into the ground as looks as if the museum was itself a find that has been excavated.

<h3>Revitalization of the Recent Heritage of Tunis</h3> </br> The Hypercenter of Tunis was rescued and renovated by Association de Sauvegarde de la Médina de Tunis, which included restructuring the public spaces and restoring key monuments.

<h3>Revitalization of the Recent Heritage of Tunis</h3> </br> On top of the revitalization of the historic Tunis area, the project has created a lively and prosperous area while preserving historic and important works for the city.

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<h3>Wadi Hanifa Wetlands</h3> </br> The Wadi Hanifa Wetlands in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were restored by Moriyama &amp; Teshima Planners Limited &amp; Buro Happold in a joint venture. The Wadi Hanifa (or Hanifa Valley) is the longest and most important valley near Riyadh, and until recently, had been exploited in an environmentally destructive way. The restoration and reconstruction of the wetlands included a program to restore and develop Wadi Hanifa as an environmental, recreational and tourism resource.

<h3>Wadi Hanifa Wetlands</h3> </br> The project included introduction of landscaping, conservation of the natural environment, development of recreational areas for the people of Riyadh, enhancement of agricultural land in the valley, and the creation of an environmentally sensitive wastewater treatment facility that provides additional water resources for the rural and urban inhabitants of the region.