Architect Yasmeen Lari delivers affordable homes in flood-hit Pakistan
Lari's houses were devised to be disaster-resilient, environmentally friendly, and quicker and easier to erect
By Eastern EyeMay 03, 2023
In flood-hit southeastern Pakistan, villagers are trading tents and tarpaulins provided by aid agencies for local materials such as lime, mud and bamboo to build their own low-cost and water-resistant homes as part of a post-disaster recovery rethink.
They have been designed by Yasmeen Lari – Pakistan’s first certified female architect and who this month won the 2023 Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects for her relief architecture. About 1,000 such houses have been built in Sindh province following unprecedented floods last year that submerged about a third of the country and killed at least 1,700 people.
While traditional mud huts are vulnerable to extreme weather and building concrete homes is expensive and high in carbon emissions, Lari’s houses were devised to be disaster-resilient, environmentally friendly, and quicker and easier to erect.
In Kewal Kohli, a village in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, former schoolteacher Rano Kewal’s home was one of 1.4 million houses destroyed in the climate change-fuelled catastrophe last year, according to government data.
When his mud hut washed away, Kewal and 35 members of his family were forced
to live in tents for a month, until the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan – an NGO co-founded and headed by Lari – helped the 28-year-old build a new house.
“We will be able to survive the next floods,” said Kewal, who has since helped
to build 200 similar homes in four nearby villages, with materials and training provided by the NGO.
Yasmeen Lari (Photo: Anam Baig)
Lari used to design modern, glitzy buildings - from hotels and offices to government headquarters – made from concrete, glass and steel, but turned to sustainable relief architecture in 2005 after an earthquake devastated much of Kashmir.
She said her NGO has helped survivors of natural disasters in Pakistan to build about 55,000 homes, 4,500 of which have been erected since the floods that started last June. Her aim is to ultimately provide homes for at least 350,000 households.
The 82-year-old voiced her frustration with the United Nations’ humanitarian system and institutions like the World Bank for giving out cash, grants and relief “without building the capacity of the people” – and said international donors tended to erect concrete structures after disasters in Pakistan.
“These international colonial charity models are a complete failure as they treat the poor as victims, turning them into supplicants... (with) no attempt at nurturing or encouraging the hidden capabilities of the affected people,” Lari added.
Many NGOs and other local and international bodies involved in post-flood reconstruction still champion permanent brick and mortar houses as the most effective way of protecting the country’s poorest citizens from disasters.
A spokeswoman for the World Bank in Pakistan, Mariam Altaf, said the institution was aware of the need for more sustainable and affordable housing options, especially those that can create local employment opportunities and support local economies. However, Altaf said permanent brick and mortar houses “are more resilient housing options than mud-based ones as they will be better able to withstand natural disasters”.
This was echoed by Najaf Khan Malik, chief operation officer of the Sindh People’s Housing Foundation (SPHF) - which was established by the Sindh government to build new homes in flood-hit areas.
Malik said the SPHF wanted to use “flood resilient sustainable construction material” like burnt bricks and cement, but avoid using mud – citing its own study which found that 75 per cent of the two million homes washed away in Sindh were made of mud.
The organisation was aware of Lari’s work and was looking into incorporating innovative and sustainable methods that are “easily adoptable by the affected communities”, he added.
At first glance, the homes designed by Lari resemble traditional village architecture known in Pakistan as chauhras. Their seemingly simple exteriors mask innovative designs and are inspired by indigenous building techniques from rural Pakistan, but re-engineered to not only stop the houses from being flooded, but also make them more sustainable and green. The prefabricated bamboo structures - which sit on raised platforms - have limehardened mud walls that keep out water, while the roofs consist of bamboo covered with straw matting, a layer of tarpaulin, and pozzolana, a waterproofing material.
“Except for bamboo, which needs to be bought from the nearest town or city, the straw, earth and grass for matting are procured from around villages and freely available,” Lari said.
Lime absorbs carbon dioxide from air and bamboo sequesters carbon as it grows, making the homes good for the environment, she said. The houses take a week to build, compared to about three weeks for mud huts and up to two months for permanent cement homes. They can be built for under $87, which is fewer than a tenth of the cost of cement structures, according to Lari’s NGO.
It is teaching villagers to build their own homes through workshops and has released a series of tutorials on YouTube.
“Every one of the vulnerable should learn to build safe structures so that they are not displaced and they are able to fend for themselves (when a disaster strikes),” said Lari.
A model of a woman’s centre in Darya Khan, Pakistan, by Yasmeen Lari at an exhibition in London in 2016 (Photo: Getty Images)
Hira Zuberi, a Karachi-based independent architect, said she had studied Lari’s designs and highlighted the homes were easy to repair and replace, and that the materials could be transported and reused easily if a household decides to move. “Most important, she is involving the rural communities in the process so there is a sense of ownership,” she said.
While Lari said she had discussions with organisations such as Islamic Relief and Unicef, many NGOs in Pakistan still prefer cement homes when it comes to post-disaster housing.
For example, Ashfaque Soomro, the executive director of the Research and Development Foundation – which is building shelters in Sindh – said such homes had the best chance of withstanding floods, based on the NGO’s experience of previous disasters.
The foundation’s cement houses cost between $872 (£700) and $1,245 (£999), and sometimes reuse debris to be less carbon-intensive, he added.
Noman Ahmed, head of the architecture department at the NED University of Engineering and Technology, said he believed house reconstruction could be done with a combination of earth, bamboo, cement and concrete - and stressed
the importance of mapping flooding patterns to avoid rebuilding in risky areas.
“It will help us identify ‘no construction zones’ where construction should be prohibited,” he said in an interview.
As architects, analysts and NGOs consider the future of building back better after disasters, residents in Sindh province’s Pono village – where Lari-designed homes were constructed before the 2022 floods – say the houses have proved their resilience. “We remained dry, as did our belongings, despite the unforgiving rain,” said Dhani Khumo, one of the residents.
Heidi Klum and daughter Leni walked the Venice Film Festival red carpet in matching corset-style gowns.
The supermodel opted for a blush pink silk design, while Leni wore an inky black version.
Both gowns were created by Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi, for which they are ambassadors.
The mother-daughter duo previously fronted a controversial campaign for the same brand.
Heidi Klum's Venice Film Festival appearances always generate headlines, but this year she doubled the impact by walking the red carpet with her daughter Leni. The pair stunned in co-ordinated gowns from Italian intimates brand Intimissimi, bringing high fashion and red carpet glamour together in one of the festival’s most talked-about moments. Their matching corset silhouettes highlighted the duo’s modelling credentials and added a striking family twist to the opening night of the prestigious event.
Heidi and Leni Klum pose together in co-ordinated Intimissimi gowns at the Venice Film Festival Instagram/heidiklum
What did Heidi Klum wear at the Venice Film Festival?
For the opening night on 27 August, Heidi Klum chose a blush pink silk gown featuring corseted boning, a plunging neckline and a sheer bodice. The dress also showcased a dramatic thigh-high slit and hip cut-out, adding a lingerie-inspired edge. She paired the look with diamond chokers and styled her hair in rocker-style waves with new bangs, completing a striking combination of Old Hollywood glamour and modern sensuality.
Arriving at the festival by boat, Heidi shared behind-the-scenes photographs on social media showing her preparation at her Venetian hotel. Her posts included affectionate moments with Leni, with the caption that she was “having the best time with my baby” at the festival.
At just 21, Leni Klum is following closely in her mother’s modelling footsteps. On the red carpet she mirrored Heidi’s gown in a bold black version, also by Intimissimi. The design featured the same sheer corsetry and plunging neckline but offered a slightly younger twist, with symmetrical hip cut-outs and strappy sandals.
Leni accessorised her look with an emerald and diamond necklace, contrasting the darker gown with a pop of colour. She wore her hair in soft waves, echoing her mother’s style while adding her own youthful touch. Together, the pair created a co-ordinated but distinctive appearance that quickly became one of the highlights of the Venice Film Festival’s first night.
Leni Klum mirrors her mother’s red carpet style in a striking black corset gown at VeniceInstagram/heidiklum
Why is the Heidi and Leni Klum appearance significant?
This Venice outing is not the first time the duo have collaborated with Intimissimi. In 2022, Heidi and Leni starred together in a lingerie campaign for the Italian brand, which received mixed reactions. Their latest red carpet moment is seen as an extension of that partnership, bringing the lingerie-inspired designs into a high-profile international film setting.
For Heidi, the event underlined her ongoing relevance in fashion, while for Leni it marked another high-profile step in her rising career. Their joint appearance shows the generational handover in the modelling world, with Leni carving her own identity while still closely linked to her mother’s legacy.
Which other stars were spotted at the Venice Film Festival?
The 82nd Venice Film Festival, which runs from 27 August to 6 September, attracted global stars to Italy’s most glamorous red carpet. Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton and Julia Roberts were also photographed arriving for premieres, with Roberts making headlines for her quirky cardigan covered in portraits of Italian director Luca Guadagnino.
The festival opened with the premiere of Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, a drama exploring political and personal dilemmas in Italy. With its combination of star power, fashion statements and cinematic showcases, Venice once again affirmed its position as one of the world’s most influential cultural events.
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Ahaan Panday says years of blind optimism kept him going before Saiyaara
Ahaan Panday opens up on being ‘wronged’ before his Bollywood debut
Actor admits he spent years in ‘blind optimism’ waiting for launch
Saiyaara has become the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema history
The Mohit Suri directorial collected £53 million (₹563 crore) worldwide
Bollywood newcomer Ahaan Panday has revealed that he felt “wronged” by people in the industry before finally making his long-awaited debut with Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara. The 27-year-old actor, who comes from the well-known Panday family, said he lived in “blind optimism” for four to five years as projects kept falling through. Despite setbacks, Ahaan maintained that he never became bitter and channelled his struggles into his performance.
Ahaan Panday says years of blind optimism kept him going before Saiyaara Instagram/ahaanpandayy
Why was Ahaan Panday’s debut delayed for so long?
Ahaan was initially expected to be launched much earlier under Yash Raj Films, but several projects were shelved before they could take off. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, he admitted:
“Have I felt wronged by people? Yes, I have. It wouldn’t be right for me to get personal about that, but as an actor, that’s where you take inspiration from. I just kept putting myself into different things. The first four-five years, I was entirely delusional, and people around me could sense it.”
The actor revealed he worked as an assistant director on The Railway Men while waiting for his break, using the experience to keep his morale intact.
Ahaan Panday revealed he worked as an assistant director before landing his debut role Instagram/ahaanpandayy
Did personal struggles affect Ahaan Panday’s journey?
Alongside professional delays, Ahaan also dealt with a personal tragedy; the passing of his grandmother, whom he called his “backbone.” He said she was the only person who called him a hero every day at home and losing her left him shattered.
He recalled: “My confidence started to break after that. The only way I could deal with it was to keep working. To even be on a film set was a privilege. I was never bitter because millions dream of this opportunity.”
This resilience, he said, helped him stay focused until the right opportunity arrived.
How did Yash Raj Films and Mohit Suri shape his launch?
Eventually, YRF head Aditya Chopra reached out to Ahaan’s parents, assuring them he would be launched under the banner. That led to Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and co-starring fellow newcomer Aneet Padda.
For Ahaan, joining YRF was also deeply personal. His grandmother, who nicknamed him “Raj,” had dreamed of him becoming a Yash Raj hero. “It was instinctive for me to say yes. I grew up on this cinema. My Hindu name is Yash, my sister’s name is Chandni, we were filmy YRF lovers. Somewhere, I did this for her,” he explained.
Released earlier this year, Saiyaara has become a record-breaking success. The romantic drama is now the highest-grossing film headlined by newcomers and the biggest love story in Indian cinema history.
The film has grossed an estimated £53 million (₹563 crore) worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far. Its success has firmly established Ahaan as one of Bollywood’s most promising new actors.
Though the actor has not announced his next project yet, industry watchers believe Ahaan’s grand debut has positioned him strongly for future big-ticket films. With Saiyaara breaking records and his candid reflections on the struggles behind the glamour, Ahaan has become a name audiences are eager to follow.
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At its annual general meeting (AGM), Reliance also announced the launch of an artificial intelligence unit in partnership with Google and Meta.
Ambani had first indicated plans in 2019 to list Jio within five years. On Friday, he told shareholders the company is preparing to file for an IPO next year.
Reuters reported in July that Jio decided against launching an IPO in 2025. Analysts at the time valued the company at over $100 billion.
Jio Platforms includes India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio Infocomm, with more than 500 million users. Backed by investors such as Meta, Google and KKR, the business is central to Ambani’s move to diversify Reliance beyond oil and chemicals into retail, consumer and technology. AI and international expansion are now key areas of growth.
Reliance is also investing $8.8 billion in its chemicals business. It expects retail to grow sales by nearly 10 per cent a year on a like-for-like basis and plans to add 2,000–3,000 new stores annually.
“Jio is not being fully valued within Reliance's broader petrochemicals and retail portfolio, and a separate listing would help unlock higher value for the telecom and digital unit,” said Saurabh Parikh, senior analyst at ICRA Ltd.
AI Unit with Meta and Google
Reliance and Meta announced a new AI joint venture with an initial investment of around $100 million. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the AGM the venture will provide Meta’s open-source AI models to Indian businesses.
Google will partner with Reliance to deploy AI across energy, retail, telecom and financial services. It will also set up a Jamnagar Cloud region dedicated to Reliance, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said at the meeting.
The partnerships come as India-US relations face tensions following US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports in response to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Reliance runs the world’s largest refining complex in Gujarat and is India’s biggest buyer of Russian oil.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The top model could match the PS5 Pro at around £699.99
Reports suggest Sony is planning three versions of its next console
One model, codenamed Canis, could function as both a handheld and a docked console, similar to Nintendo Switch
The flagship version, Orion, is expected to be the main high-spec console
Pricing speculation indicates the top model could match the PS5 Pro at around £699.99
Fresh rumours claim Sony is preparing a dockable handheld version of its next-generation console, the PlayStation 6. The device, reportedly codenamed Canis, is said to target the same hybrid market as Nintendo’s Switch and the expected Switch 2.
Details of the rumour
The information comes from YouTube channel Moore’s Law is Dead (via Push Square), which suggests Sony will release three versions of the PS6:
orion – the flagship high-powered console
canis (handheld) – a portable system that can be docked to play on a television
canis (console) / ps6 s – a smaller console variant sharing much of the handheld’s specifications
Both canis models are rumoured to be closer in performance to the PS5 and PS5 Pro, with incremental improvements rather than a major leap in hardware power.
Strategy and market positioning
If accurate, the move would signal a shift in Sony’s approach, focusing less on raw power and more on flexibility between console and handheld play. Analysts suggest this could help Sony compete directly with Nintendo’s hybrid systems, while also offering lower-cost alternatives alongside the premium model.
Price speculation
According to reports, the flagship orion may be priced similarly to the PS5 Pro, at around £699.99. If so, cheaper handheld and compact versions could be critical in attracting wider consumer interest.
Still early days
It remains early in development, and no official details have been confirmed by Sony. Industry insiders caution that such rumours should be treated carefully until the company announces concrete plans.
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Eli Lilly has agreed a discounted supply deal for its weight-loss drug Mounjaro
Eli Lilly had announced a steep price rise of up to 170% for Mounjaro.
A new discount deal with UK suppliers will limit the increase for patients.
Pharmacies will still apply a mark-up, but consumer costs are expected to rise less than initially feared.
NHS pricing remains unaffected due to separate arrangements.
Eli Lilly has agreed a discounted supply deal for its weight-loss drug Mounjaro, easing fears of a sharp rise in costs for UK patients. The new arrangement means that, from September, pharmacies and private services will face smaller wholesale increases than first expected, limiting the impact on consumers.
Why the price rise was announced
Earlier this month, Eli Lilly said it would raise Mounjaro’s list price by as much as 170%, which could have pushed the highest monthly dose from £122 to £330. The company argued that UK pricing needed to align more closely with higher costs in Europe and the United States.
Discount deal for UK suppliers
The revised agreement will see the top-dose price set at £247.50 for suppliers. While pharmacies and private providers will still add their own margins, the increase for patients is now likely to remain under 50% for higher doses, and even lower for smaller doses.
Eli Lilly confirmed:
“We are working with private providers on commercial arrangements to maintain affordability and expect these to be passed onto patients when the change is effective on 1 September.”
Impact on consumers
Around 1.5 million people in the UK are currently on weight-loss drugs, with more than half using Mounjaro. Most of these patients—around 90%—pay privately through online services or high street pharmacies.
Prices vary between providers, depending on the level of lifestyle and dietary support offered alongside the injections.
Olivier Picard of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“This rebate will mitigate some of the impact of the increase, but patients should still anticipate seeing a rise in prices from 1 September.”
NHS pricing unchanged
The deal does not affect the NHS, which has secured its own heavily-discounted price for patients prescribed the weekly injection.
Mounjaro works by helping patients feel fuller for longer, reducing food intake and supporting weight loss of up to 20% of body weight.