Celebrated Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari has declined the prestigious Wolf Prize 2025 in architecture, citing the ongoing conflict and “continuing genocide” in Gaza as her reason.
Lari, known for her humanitarian work and commitment to social justice through architecture, expressed gratitude for the honour but felt compelled to reject it due to the current situation in Gaza.
“I declined the award because of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, a reason I explicitly stated in my response to them,” Lari said in an interview with Arab News, adding that her decision to turn down the award was “the very least I could do.”
The Wolf Prize, awarded in Israel, recognizes achievements in various fields, including architecture.
Lari’s decision comes amid heightened tensions in Gaza, where recent conflicts have resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.
Lari is celebrated for her pioneering work in Pakistan, particularly in sustainable and disaster-resilient architecture. She was awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2023 for her contributions to zero-carbon self-build concepts for displaced populations.
Her refusal of the Wolf Prize highlights her strong stance on humanitarian issues and her commitment to using architecture as a tool for social justice.
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