Farrokh Derakhshani MArch

Honorary Professor

Farrokh Derakhshani is Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture since 2006, and joined the organisation in 1982. Before joining the Award, Mr Derakhshani (b. 1952) was trained in architecture and urban planning at the National University of Iran (1970-1978), followed by graduate work at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris. His professional architectural activity included design and construction-management of large-scale public works and infrastructure projects in Iran, as well as projects in France, and Switzerland. Mr Derakhshani’s work at the Aga Khan Award focuses on architecture for societies throughout the world, with an emphasis on contemporary interventions as well as historic environments. Besides organizing exhibitions and architectural seminars and panel discussions in the framework of the Award activities he travels extensively to represent the Award at other seminars worldwide. He also collaborates with some of the other programmes of the Aga Khan Development Network such as the Global Centre of Pluralism and the Aga Khan Music Programme. He has participated frequently in international architectural competitions both as an organizer and jury member, as well as sitting on selection committees to identify architects for a number of public buildings. His many publications include essays and articles both for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and for a wide number of international monographs and periodicals, as well as those online. Mr Derakhshani serves as a board member and advisor to many cultural institutions in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States. He was named an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2018. Architectural education has been a constant focus throughout Mr Derakhshani’s career and during his tenure at the Aga Khan Award. He has lectured at more than fifty universities throughout the world and often serves as a visiting critic and jury member; he has consulted on the establishment of graduate schools of architecture in Africa and Asia, including those of the Aga Khan Universities.
Farrokh Derakhshani