The charity Vision Pakistan offers a 'second chance' to disadvantaged 16-to-25-year-old males who have fallen into aggression, depression, drug use and/or crime. Its holistic year-long programme trains them as master tailors and equips them with literacy, life skills for harmonious social independence and a basic, peace-focused understanding of Islam. Its new facility in this dense peri-urban area accommodates 40-50 students plus tutors, management and support staff. The programme includes five flexibly designed classrooms; dining room; recreation spaces; management offices; limited staff boarding; exhibition areas; shops; and rooftop prayer area with student-maintained kitchen garden. Some spaces can be rented out individually as a funding stream. A central atrium with tall anchor tree fosters daylighting, natural ventilation, calm and visual connectivity throughout the building. Exposed services promote ease of maintenance. Some windows feature colourful pierced metal screens (jaali), offering sun shading and privacy while bringing a festive presence to the bare concrete walls. Their geometric patterns are inspired by Pakistani and Arab crafts and 1960s Islamabad architecture, and their colours echo those used in the neighbourhood’s vernacular culture to evoke positivity.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture