The first female artist in Pakistan, Prof. Yasmeen Lari, received the king’s inaugural Royal Gold Medal for Architecture for her self-built, zero-carbon homes for refugees.
The Royal Institute of British Architects announced the award, one of the top honors in the world for architecture.
The medal given to an individual artist or organization who has significantly contributed to the growth of architecture is approved personally by the king.
The institute said the artist Prof. Lari was a “revolutionary force” who has had an “immeasurable influence on the trajectory of the architecture and humanitarian work in the country”.
Since formally retiring in 2000, she has shifted her focus to developing accessible, eco-friendly building methods to aid those living in poverty and communities that have been uprooted by natural catastrophes and the consequences of climate change.
Artist Yameen Lari’s Life and Work
She and her husband, Suhail Zaheer Lari, co-founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan in 1980. Through this organization, they pioneered the concept of self-build sustainable shelters and housing, building 50,000 homes.
In addition, Prof. Lari is credited with creating the Chulah Cookstove, of which there are already over 80,000.
It greatly lowers emissions compared to a typical cooker, addressing the harmful environmental and health effects of open-flame cooking.
Prof. Lari, who was born in Pakistan in 1941, emigrated to London when she was 15 years old.
After graduating from high school, she spent two years studying art before getting admitted to Oxford Polytechnic’s School of Architecture and Oxford Brookes University’s School of Architecture.
Lari returned to Pakistan with her spouse at the age of 23 after earning her degree in 1964 and started her own architecture firm, Lari Associates. She then went on to work for important governmental, commercial, and financial organisations.
Prof. Lari has only concentrated on her internationally acclaimed humanitarian activities since the year 2000.
King Charles is renowned for his advocacy of environmental causes and dedication to sustainability. When he was the Prince of Wales, the future King spoke out frequently about architecture.
He famously said in 1984 when discussing the projected National Gallery expansion, “What is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend.”
Prof. Lari said on hearing of her award: “I never imagined that as I focus on my country’s most marginalized people, venturing down uncharted vagabond pathways, I could still be considered for the highest of honors in the architectural profession.
“RIBA has heralded a new direction for the profession, encouraging all artists to focus not only on the privileged, but also humanity at large that suffers from disparities, conflicts and climate change.”
The Pakistan State Oil House was one of Professor Lari’s earlier creations.
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