AKT II co-founder Hanif Kara joins the Architecture Today Awards jury on the hunt for new talent and improved ways of measuring value.
Photo
Jan Friedlein
Alongside practicing as a structural engineer, Hanif Kara is also Professor in Practice of Architectural Technology at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard.
Hanif Kara, who joins our 18-strong jury for the inaugural Architecture Today Awards, shares what qualities he hopes to see among entries.
What attracted you to be a judge at Architecture Today Awards?
I think these awards will help us to raise awareness of new talent, not just within our own profession, but also more importantly among the public – who ultimately have to use what’s built. These awards should hopefully raise new questions that purposefully challenge our disciplines.
What qualities will you be looking out for – what will make a project stand out to you
I’m looking for the sort of excellence that, while measurable, is intangible until we’re seeing it in the project! And I’m looking for projects that improve on how value is actually measured.
What do you hope will be taken away from the live presentation and judging process?
It’s a treat for us as the judges to be a part of this also. I think these sorts of critical discussions are invariably very informative for everyone involved.
What building would you most like to see among the entries?
I feel very conflicted (!) – of course I’d love to see any of AKT II’s projects examined in this way. Personally, I’ll be delighted to see projects that explore the interface between existing and new.
Find out more about the Architecture Today Awards and how to enter by visiting the Architecture Today Awards portal.
