This thesis aims to understand/explore how architecture can assume social responsibility and offer solutions to social problems by focusing on projects awarded by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA). Unlike many major architecture awards, the AKAA prioritizes social contribution and the projects selected by the award features architects taking social roles other than simply being the designer. While examining the social responsibility of architecture, the thesis explains the alternative roles that the architect can take on regarding certain themes. The first chapter investigates the history of “community-oriented architecture” and its examples in the literature. The second chapter focuses on the projects awarded by the AKAA with reference to the contributions of architecture to social development. From the first award period to the last (1980-2019), 124 projects were examined and 8 examples suitable to the scope of the thesis were selected. When selecting these examples, three main themes were determined (using parameters such as economic resources, relations with local government, organization, community education, etc.): “Participatory Architecture”, “Urban Upgrading and Community Development”, “Historical Restoration and Socio-Economic Revival”. Under these themes, subheadings were created according to the alternative social role assumed by the architect. The extensive archive of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture was used for the necessary documents such as detailed information about the projects, technical reports, jury reports. Keywords: Community Architecture, Aga Khan Award for Architecture.