Royal Gold Medal 2023
Professor Yasmeen Lari, will receive the 2023 Royal Gold Medal for architecture.
With a long and illustrious career, Lari has been a revolutionary force in Pakistan. She has had immeasurable influence of the trajectory of the architecture and humanitarian work in the country. Since officially retiring in 2000, she transferred her attention to creating accessible, environmentally friendly construction techniques to help people below the poverty line and communities displaced by natural disasters and the impact of climate change.
In 1980 she co-founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan with her husband, Suhail Zaheer Lari, pioneering the design of self-build sustainable shelters and housing, creating 50,000 dwellings. Lari is also known for the design of the Chulah Cookstove, of which there are now over 80,000. An eco-alternative to a traditional stove, it significantly reduces emissions, tackling unfavourable environmental and health issues associated with cooking on an open fire.
Images:
- Zero Carbon Women Centre on Bamboo Stilts, Moak Sharif, Tando Allahyar, Sindh (2011)
- Lari House, Karachi (1982)
- Mud Brick One Room House, Moak Sharif, Tando Allahyar, Sindh (2011)
- Zero Carbon Cultural Centre (ZC3), Makli (2017)
- Angoori Bagh Social Housing, Lahore (1973)
