Azra Akšamija

Azra Akšamija is a Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Department of Architecture, where she directs the Art, Culture and Technology (ACT) Program and the Future Heritage Lab. As an artist and architectural historian, her work bridges Islamic architecture, cultural heritage, and contemporary art, focusing on spaces of coexistence, refugee camp design, and the political power of cultural territories.

• Education: Ph.D. in History, Theory, and Criticism in Architecture (MIT, 2011), Master of Architecture (Princeton University, 2004; Graz Institute of Technology, 2001)

Her research explores the intersection of art, technology, and cultural memory, with a focus on post-conflict reconstruction and diasporic identity. Recent projects include the 2021 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the edited volume Design to Live: Everyday Inventions from a Refugee Camp (2021). Publications analyze the evolution of Islamic architectural typologies, such as the Nomadic Mosque and Generic Mosque, emphasizing adaptability and cultural hybridity.

• Key Scientific Awards:
  • Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2013)
  • Art Award of the City of Graz (2018)
  • LafargeHolcim Award (2021)
  • Emerging Voices Winner (Architectural League New York, 2022)
  • Honorary Doctorate from Montserrat College of Art (2020)

She has received significant funding, including multiple MIT Council for the Arts grants and a Krupp Foundation Fellowship. Her artistic work has been exhibited globally, from the Venice Biennale to the Royal Academy of Arts London, and she leads the Future Heritage Lab, addressing cultural preservation in conflict zones.