Afghanistani developments, Contemporary building project design news, Heart of Asia properties

Afghanistan Developments

Contemporary Afghan Buildings – New Central Asian Built Environment, Property + Design Links

post updated 10 April 2025

Recent Afghan building design post:

Ways of seeing, Afghanistan historic buildings

We feature a wide range of Afghanistan buildings, from contemporary to traditional. Some projects are new-build developments and others are conservation projects involving ancient heritage sites.

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Building Developments

South Asia and Central Asia Architectural Projects + Key New Property Designs, alphabetical:

Afghanistan School Building

Arzu Rugs

Bamiyan Cultural Centre Design

Cultural Center in Kabul

Maria Grazia Cutuli Primary School

National Museum of Afghanistan

National Museum of Afghanistan Kabul

Comments / photos for the Afghanistani Architecture Information page welcome

Location: Asia

Afghan Building Developments

Contemporary Afghan Architecture Projects in more detail – a key selection from the e-architect website below:

Architectural heritage like you haven’t seen it before

The shrine of Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa in Balkh, Afghanistan – the “Green Mosque”:

“Ways of Seeing” project documents endangered Afghan heritage sites through digital imaging, virtual reality, and hand-drawn professional renderings. The shrine of Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa is a spectacular mosque in Balkh, Afghanistan. Also known as the “Green Mosque” due to the brilliant color of its tiled and painted dome, the intricately decorated building dates to the 16th century.

If it were more accessible, the Green Mosque would attract many visitors. But Balkh is located in northern Afghanistan, roughly 50 miles from the border with Uzbekistan, and few outsiders will ever reach it. Still, anyone can now get a vivid sense of the mosque thanks to MIT’s new “Ways of Seeing” project, an innovative form of historic preservation.

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Bamiyan Cultural Centre Design Competition design by Barna Architects:

image courtesy of architecture office

Historical places include the cities of Herat, Kandahar, Ghazni, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Zaranj. The Minaret of Jam in the Hari River valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Cultural Center of the Russian Federation in Kabul building design by Architectural bureau A.Len:

image from architects practice

A cloak reputedly worn by Islam’s prophet Muhammad is kept inside the Shrine of the Cloak in Kandahar, a city founded by Alexander and the first capital of this Asian country. The citadel of Alexander in the western city of Herat has been renovated in recent years and is a popular attraction for tourists.

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National Museum of Afghanistan, Kabul building designed by THEEAE LTD. (The Evolved Architectural Eclectic Limited):

image from architects

In the north of the country is the Shrine of Ali, believed by many to be the location where Ali was buried. The National Museum of Afghanistan is located in Kabul.

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Maria Grazia Cutuli Primary School, Heart:

picture © AKAA / Nazes Afroz
Herat is the third-largest city in this country. It has a population of about 436,300, and serves as the capital of Herat Province, situated in the fertile valley of the Hari River. This building has been shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2013.