A rainbow appears on the "Mars-like island." 200 dome facilities built by the islanders themselves

A rainbow of colourful domes stands on a desolate island. Majara Residences, located on the Iranian island of Hormuz, is a hotel and cultural facility built by residents using traditional sandbag construction methods. Its ambitious social experiment in revitalising the island through ecotourism was recognised when it won a prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, after a selection process that took place from 2023 to 2025. Organised by the Aga Khan Development Network, an international organisation that supports the development of Islamic countries, the award not only evaluates architectural beauty, but also places emphasis on the change it brings to local communities.