The Union of Azerbaijan Architects highlights the achievements of several distinguished women architects and researchers whose work contributes significantly to architectural science, heritage preservation, design practice, and architectural education. Through their academic research, publications, and professional activities, they continue to promote the development of architectural thought and the protection of cultural heritage in Azerbaijan and internationally.
Nargiz Agayeva Recognised for Contributions to Architectural Education and Interior Design
Architect Nargiz Agayeva is an associate professor in the Design Department at the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Civil Engineering and Chair of the Residential and Public Building Interior Design Committee of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan. She is also a professor at the Moscow branch of the International Academy of Architecture (IAAM).
Her professional and academic work combines architectural practice, research, and education, with a focus on interior and environmental design. Agayeva’s approach emphasises the integration of functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, aiming to create spaces that respond to both human needs and contemporary urban contexts.
She is the author of more than 50 scientific publications, as well as several methodological and educational manuals dedicated to architectural and interior design.
Throughout her career, Agayeva has received numerous national and international recognitions. Among these are a Second Prize at the LA BELLA CUCINA Interior Design Competition (2014), the Baku International Architecture Award for Best Completed Interior (2017), and the Baku International Architecture Award for Best Printed Publication in Architecture (2021).
In 2025, she was awarded Second Prize at the XXXIII International MASA Competition in the Printed Publication category for her methodological manual Interior Graphics. The publication is intended for architecture and design students, as well as professionals working in interior design, and explores the role of graphic representation in communicating spatial concepts, emphasising clarity, compositional expression, and visual interpretation in architectural practice.
Imanzade Zarnaz Recognised for Contributions to Architectural Heritage Research
Architectural researcher Imanzade Zarnaz Abdulber gizi is a prominent figure in contemporary Azerbaijani architectural scholarship. She serves as a research fellow in the Department of Preservation and Restoration of Architectural Monuments at the Institute of Architecture and Art of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, and is also a Corresponding Member of the Moscow Branch of the International Academy of Architecture as well as a member of the Association of Creative Women of Azerbaijan.
Her work focuses on the research, documentation, and preservation of architectural heritage, both in Azerbaijan and internationally. In recognition of her contributions to the development of architectural science and heritage preservation, she was awarded the “Academician Mikayil Useynov” commemorative medal by the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan.
An important stage of her professional career was her extended research in Arab countries, where she studied historical cities and architectural monuments of the Arab East. Through field research, photography, and academic publications, she documented significant examples of architecture and urban planning in the region.
One of her most notable contributions is the book “Diriyyah: An Open-Air Museum” (2019), which explores the urban planning and architecture of the historic Saudi city of Diriyyah, the first capital of Saudi Arabia. Published in four languages—Azerbaijani, Russian, English, and Arabic—the book represents the first Azerbaijani publication dedicated to Saudi Arabian architecture and urban development.
In 2025, the publication received a First Place Diploma at the Seventh Baku International Architecture Award, recognising its scholarly value and contribution to the study of Middle Eastern architectural heritage.
Through her academic work and publications, Imanzade Zarnaz continues to promote the study and preservation of architectural heritage, contributing to the advancement of architectural research and international cultural exchange.
Rahiba Aliyeva Recognised for Contributions to Architectural Heritage Research
Architect and researcher Rahiba Aliyeva is Head of the Department of Preservation and Restoration of Architectural Monuments at the Institute of Architecture and Art of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. She holds a PhD in Architecture, is a Corresponding Member of the Moscow Branch of the International Academy of Architecture, and is considered one of the leading figures in contemporary Azerbaijani architectural research.
Her professional work focuses on the study, preservation, and scientific restoration of Azerbaijan’s architectural heritage. Under her leadership, the department conducts extensive research on historic monuments, prepares scientific documentation, and develops methodological guidelines for their conservation and restoration. She is also actively involved in international conferences and heritage-related research initiatives, contributing to the promotion and protection of Azerbaijan’s architectural legacy.
In recognition of her longstanding academic, professional, and public contributions, Rahiba Aliyeva was awarded the “Ustad Memar” certificate of professional excellence by the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan.
Aliyeva is the author of numerous scientific publications addressing topics such as heritage protection, restoration methodologies, and the impact of environmental factors on historic monuments. Her research combines theoretical analysis with practical approaches to safeguarding historic environments.
In 2025, her book “The Genius of Azerbaijani Architectural Heritage” was published at the initiative of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan. The monograph explores the life and work of Ajami Abubakr Nakhchivani, one of the most prominent architects of the medieval East, analysing the architectural, structural, and artistic qualities of his monuments and their influence on the development of the national architectural tradition.
The book was presented in December 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, during an exhibition marking the 900th anniversary of the architect’s birth, contributing to the international recognition of Azerbaijan’s rich architectural heritage.
