This week members of HLA had the privilege of hearing and meeting Yasmeen Lari, Pakistans’s first female architect, who after retiring from practice in 2000 turned to working in communities to build zero-carbon structures in disaster prone areas of Pakistan. Discussion regarding the re-invigoration of vernacular material use and the invaluable input of Architects in humanitarian work left everyone feeling like they wanted to give up their day job and go to help! Although Humanitarian need was the main topic, Yasmeen also delivered a powerful message to think about barefoot principals, the positive re-use of traditional materials and the importance of working with communities; principles applicable to all forms of architecture worldwide. 

 

For more on Yasmeen and her inspiring work: www.heritagefoundationpak.org