Ayesha Noorani; An architect by profession, taught at Lahore’s well-known National College of Arts (NCA) for years, & the Founder of Daachi (A nonprofit organization, geared towards promoting the craft of local artisans & artists of Pakistan).
Ayesha states that she gave up her career to do something which gave her life a sense of purpose.
Daachi came about as a ‘divine calling’ for her.
Ayesha graduated in Architecture, from the National College in 1982. Her approach to architecture is contemporary, with a strong regional identity & incorporating principles of sustainability. She has designed/executed various types of commercial & domestic projects.
Her teaching experience has been associated with N.C.A.as a visiting faculty since 1996; to date.
Ayesha has traveled to many cities of the world with special interest in regional architecture.
She has presented numerous papers around the world, to name a few;
▪ “Modernity to Tradition”. Seminar arranged by HECAR. Mumbai, India 2000.
▪ “Sufis role in traditional urban Society” for Karawan Karachi. 2001.
▪ “Regional Identity” I.A.P. Lahore Chapter. 2004
▪ “Prophetic Art: Islamic Tiles” Ispahan, Iran 2006.
▪ “And We made everything alive with Water”.
Ayesha established Daachi Foundation in2010.From 2011-2020,it has held 15exhibitions;to date.
Daachi has reached out to more than 500 artisans & entrepreneurs, by giving them training & input into upgrading their crafts. The mission is towards helping local artisans realize their potential & improve their standard of living through self-sufficiency. By providing a platform, it hopes to promote environmentally friendly lifestyles, preserving ethnic crafts & also to increase awareness about making healthy lifestyle choices pertaining to diet, housing &recreation. Daachi won the Engro “I am the change award” in 2017. It is also featured in the Forbes magazine -“Pakistan’s Guardians of Culture”.
