Former AA Tutor Hanif Kara is awarded the 2024 Soane Medal for Architecture

Hanif Kara has been awarded the 2024 Soane Medal for Architecture. Hanif was previously a Diploma 14 Tutor with Ciro Najle (2001–2004) at the AA and an external examiner between 2005–2006. Hanif was also involved in making the DRL TEN pavilion, which was built to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the programme.

Hanif is a structural engineer and a cofounder of AKT II alongside Albert Williamson-Taylor and Robin Adams, where he has overseen the engineering of several high-profile projects, including four Stirling Prize-winning projects. Hanif’s portfolio includes the Peckham Library by Will Alsop, the Sainsbury Laboratory by Stanton Williams and the Kingston University London Town House by Grafton Architects.

Hanif is the first engineer to receive the Soane Medal and the seventh recipient of the award, which was established by the Sir John Soane’s Museum in 2017. The Soane Medal citation read:
‘As the co-founder of renowned structural engineering firm AKT II, Kara is a leading advocate for interdisciplinary collaborations and approaches to the built environment, as well as realising some of the most recognisable architectural projects across the globe.’

Image: Hanif Kara in the Sir John Soane Museum. Photograph: Matt Tidby.