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Al-Mustansiriya University
Location
Baghdad
Country
Iraq

Architect/Engineer/Team
Kahtan Awni

Construction
1963/1966

Address
al-Munstansiriya neighbourhood

Project Status
Built
Building Type
University

Notes
With the campus of the Mustansiriya University, Kahtan Awni proposes a modern version of the old Mustansiriya dating back to the Abbasid period. Buildings are organized around courtyards that act as green spaces of outdoor conviviality, recalling the traditional hawch. In this case, however, the organization is more sophisticated as the courtyards shift and split into two spaces along the main spine that distributes the various buildings. The climate-responsive design includes facades that are treated with a variety of second skins that protect the glass from
the harsh sun of Baghdad. While the innerskin has glazed openings, the outer one is located at a distance and allows substantial ventilation. A modern elegance is achieved by suspending the walls of local tabuq bricks on cantilevered beams and corbels of exposed reinforced concrete, giving the impression that they float in mid-air.
The university is an example of situated architecture and planning. Deliberately modern, it is in continuity with local spatial production served by still thriving building traditions and skills.
Sources

Khaled Sultany

‘Aqil Nuri Al-Mulla Huwaish, Al-’Imarah Al-Hadithah fi Al-’Iraq [Modern Architecture in Iraq), 1988.

George Arbid, Heritage of Urban and architectural modernities in the Arab world, Kuwait: Unesco World Heritage Center and Arab Center for Architecture, 2015, pp. 22-23

Caecilia Pieri

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Exposed concrete structure and intricate brickwork
Source: Jean-Louis Cohen
© Jean-Louis Cohen
Architect’s concept sketch
Source: ‘Aqil Nuri Al-Mulla Huwaish, Al-’Imarah Al-Hadithah fi Al-’Iraq, 1988.
View
Source: Caecilia Pieri
© Caecilia Pieri
The Library Building
Source: Caecilia Pieri
© Caecilia Pieri
Mass plan
Source: Khaled Sultany