Início em 09/07/2018 até 08/09/2018
THE CHALLENGE
The period following 2003 has been one of the most challenging times for modern Iraq. In the wake of the US invasion and the looting that followed it, the country witnessed and felt countless traumas affecting all parts of society. Crimes against public property surged, while attacks on Iraq’s art, culture and heritage became commonplace.
Since 2003, more than half of the listed and historical buildings have been lost. At the moment, the majority of Iraq’s heritage buildings have become victim to two negative approaches: either they are intentionally or unintentionally neglected, leading to their collapse or they are unlisted and replaced with modern, low-quality developments. In the last 15 years, 700 buildings out of 1,300 historical buildings in the Iraqi capital have been lost, according to various news reports. Old Al-Rusafa is one of the historic centres of Baghdad, and its built fabric has been under pressure from modern development and has suffered tremendous losses in terms of its traditional forms.
For this reason, this competition hopes to see a new architectural approach that helps Baghdad celebrate its heritage and raise awareness of the importance of maintaining all the layers of its history and heritage. The transformation of the site into a Design Centre that showcases the best of contemporary Iraqi design and is also a space of creative collaboration forms the basis of the brief. Whilst creating a new and optimistic vision for the future of design within Iraq the proposals should also set a benchmark for the respectful treatment of cultural heritage in a true fusion of the old and the new.
BAGHDAD DESIGN CENTRE COMPETITION
Transform the current unused site of the Old Governorate Building into the Baghdad Design Centre while integrating the damaged facades in their ideas for the new building. The facades will be a memorial for an era in Baghdad’s history.
PRIZES
1st Prize: The Rifat Chadirji Statuette (Designed by International artist Dia Azzawi) + $5000
2nd Prize: $1000 + CERTIFICATE + Trip to the 2018 Award Ceremony (Flights and Hotel).
3rd Prize: $1000 + CERTIFICATE + Trip to the 2018 Award Ceremony (Flights and Hotel).
ELIGIBILITY: Open to all
RESPONSE
Participants are asked to transform the current unused site of the Old Governorate Building into the Baghdad Design Centre while integrating the damaged facades in their ideas for the new building. The facades will be a memorial for an era in Baghdad’s history.
THE CONSTRAINTS
The 8m high damaged facade is to be incorporated into the design of the Baghdad Design Centre.
THE PROGRAM
A Flexible Space for Exhibitions, meetings and Lectures (Up to 200 people).
Shared workshop space for artists architects and designers.
Library
Reception with 2 administrative offices
Co-working and shared office space for startups
Restrooms
A Cafe / with a seating area and restrooms
Parking is not required.
A public space: The site, currently free of programme, provides spatial relief within a very dense urban fabric and has become a meeting place. It is suggested that a significant part of the proposed use could be maintained as a public space.
09 / SEPTEMBER / 2018 – Closing date for Submissions.
