Al-Azhar Garden Housing

Karachi, Pakistan

The central idea of this low-income housing was to create a sense of belonging for a displaced community. The development is divided into distinct neighbourhoods - in contrast to the tattered urbanity of Karachi as a whole - and organised around plazas, gardens and courtyards, linked by ceremonial pathways. Shading devices, natural ventilation and a water recycling system all contribute to sustainability. The post-and-beam structures are infilled with both solid and hollow brick masonry and finished with earth-toned Colorcrete. The project cost around US$ 10 per square foot, inclusive of land and infrastructure.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture