Hashim Sarkis

Hashim Sarkis
Name	Hashim Sarkis
Birth date	1964
Birth place	Beirut, Lebanon
Nationality	Lebanese
Alma mater	Rhode Island School of Design, Harvard University
Occupation	Architect, educator, curator
Practice	Hashim Sarkis Studios
Significant buildings	Doha Tower, Lamiyyah School, King Abdullah II House of Culture & Art
Awards	Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design Wheelwright Prize

Hashim Sarkis. Hashim Sarkis is a prominent Lebanese architect, educator, and curator, recognized globally for his integrative approach to architecture that engages with social, environmental, and cultural contexts. He is the founder of Hashim Sarkis Studios, a practice with offices in Boston and Beirut, and has served as the Dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design since 2019. Sarkis gained widespread international acclaim as the curator of the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021, titled "How Will We Live Together?".

Early life and education

Born in Beirut in 1964, Sarkis's formative years were shaped by the complex political and social landscape of Lebanon, including the Lebanese Civil War. He pursued his undergraduate education in architecture and fine arts at the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 1987. He then earned a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 1989, followed by a PhD in Architecture from Harvard University in 1995. His doctoral dissertation focused on the work of the influential Greek architect and planner Constantinos A. Doxiadis.

Career

Sarkis began his academic career teaching at the University of Pennsylvania and later at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was a tenured professor. In 1998, he established his own practice, Hashim Sarkis Studios, which undertakes projects ranging from master planning and institutional buildings to housing and public spaces across the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States. His appointment as Dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 2019 marked a significant milestone, placing him at the helm of one of the world's most prestigious design institutions. Throughout his career, he has served on juries for major awards including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the Holcim Awards.

Architectural style and philosophy

Sarkis's architectural philosophy is deeply contextual and research-driven, often exploring how design can foster community and address pressing societal issues. His work is characterized by a synthesis of modernist principles with local materials and vernacular references, responding sensitively to landscapes and urban fabrics. He frequently engages with themes of post-war reconstruction, ecological urbanism, and affordable housing, viewing architecture as an active agent in social cohesion. This intellectual framework is evident in both his built work and his scholarly publications, which include essays in journals like *Log* and books such as *The World as an Architectural Project*.

Notable works and projects

Among his firm's key built works is the Doha Tower in Qatar, a high-rise that integrates traditional Islamic geometric patterns with contemporary environmental design. The Lamiyyah School in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon is celebrated for its innovative use of space and light to create an inspiring educational environment. Other significant projects include the King Abdullah II House of Culture & Art in Jordan, the Marina Towers residential complex in Beirut, and the master plan for the Rafic Hariri Memorial Garden. His office has also been involved in several competition-winning designs, such as for the Cairo Expo City and the Yas Island master plan in Abu Dhabi.

Awards and recognition

Sarkis and his studio have received numerous accolades that underscore the impact of his work. He was a recipient of the prestigious Harvard University Graduate School of Design Wheelwright Prize in 1998. His projects have been honored with multiple Aga Khan Award for Architecture recognitions, including for the Lamiyyah School and the Government Service Center in Pristina, Kosovo. His work has been exhibited at major international venues, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Venice Biennale, and the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.

Role as Venice Biennale curator

Sarkis's most visible global role was as the Artistic Director of the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021. His curatorial theme, "How Will We Live Together?", posed urgent questions about social equity, climate change, and political divides, resonating deeply in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibition featured participants from over 60 countries, including architects like Catherine Mosbach and Rahul Mehrotra, and emphasized collaborative and interdisciplinary responses. The biennale was widely praised for its timely and hopeful vision, solidifying Sarkis's reputation as a leading intellectual voice in contemporary architecture.

Category:Lebanese architects Category:Harvard University faculty Category:Venice Biennale curators