The Baghdad Museum of Natural History in the Waziriya area resembles what had been done in the building for the Iraqi Artists Association in Al-Mansour. It is an example of comprehensive design in which the architect authored from the master plan to the furniture (exhibits windows, shelves and office furniture). It is a synthesis between modernist architecture in concrete and local references: brickwork and entrance courtyard recalling the plan of the circular Abbassid "round city". The play with the curved roofs of the five exhibition rooms is typical of Madfai's work. While the lower part of the building is calm in its architecture, the roof is significant in its dynamic hyperbolic form. The architect uses lots of expressive elements to stress on the difference. 

Axonometric

Source: Courtesy of architect Qahtan Madfai

© Courtesy of architect Qahtan Madfai

courtyard ring

Source: Photo © Caecilia Pieri

© Photo © Caecilia Pieri

View of the courtyard ring in 2011

Source: Photo © Caecilia Pieri

© Photo © Caecilia Pieri