The Role of Contemporary Requirements in Shaping Iraqi Buildings Identity, (1960-1980)

Abstract

The era spirit is witnessing continuous intellectual transformations in the international architectural field, influenced by the contemporary requirements. Various design trends have emerged about dealing with these contemporaries. Some designers focused on presentation importance of Iraqi contemporary identity, while others try to employ it in other directions that are not consistent with the local character. The research problem is knowledge lack in clarifying the role of contemporary requirements in shaping the identity of Iraqi buildings for the period (1960-1980) and how to employ the architectural act of its designers. The aim to determine how the architect responds to these contemporary requirements through the architectural act that distinguishes each designer from others. The theoretical framework is embodied by establishing Dealing Levels with local identity and reading it in a specific time and place within the levels of Explanation, Interpretation, and Disassembly, which were linked to the concept of an integrated response in achieving it through three strategies of revival, renewal, and reform. Then the elements are applied to a sample of the most prominent Iraqi architects in the period above to obtain results and conclusions, which emerged in achieving an integrated response case in dealing with contemporary requirements.