Winners Announcement: Tamayouz Iraqi Student's Award 2017

The Iraqi Architecture Prize; Tamayouz Excellence Award is delighted to announce the winners of the 6th cycle of “Tamayouz Iraqi students Award 2017.”  This Student Award aims to recognise and reward excellence in architectural design and education through showcasing Iraqi talents, supporting academics’ efforts of advancing architectural education in Iraq and promoting a culture of excellence at an early stage amongst young Iraqis.

In 2017 the award witnessed the participation of 245 students from across Iraqi Architecture Schools.  118 projects were received this year and 20 projects were shortlisted by the shortlisting panel of the award.  The members of the judging panel of the 2017 Tamayouz Iraq award were:  Akram Al Ogaily, Senior Vice President at Hill International, Dubai; Ben Flippance, Design Director for IDP Group, Coventry; Ben Maltby, Global Shelter & Infrastructure Lead for Save the Children International; Caecilia Pieri, Associate Researcher at the French Institute of the Near-East (IFPO), Beirut; Katherine McNeil, Course Director of Architecture at Coventry University, Coventry;  Muthar Al-Salloum, Managing Director of MAS architecture, Leicester; Rana Aytug, Researcher and PhD candidate at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University, and Turath Jamil, Architect and Researcher at the Sorbonne University, Paris.
The members of the judging panel were purposefully selected with reference to their expertise and experience, to ensure that a wide range of disciplines in architecture, landscape, urbanism, engineering, and art were addressed.  Held on October 3, 2017 at the Engineering, Environment and Computing Building at Coventry University in Coventry, England this full-day event provided an exceptional opportunity for interactive discussion and constructive debate leading to the winner selection.  This was followed by a critical discussion surrounding the assessment criteria and recommendations for the upcoming cycle of the award.  ​

The winners of Tamayouz Iraqi students’ award 2017
The winner selection and the ranking of the Top 10 projects is based on the judging panels unanimous decision on all entries.
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The Winner of the 2017 Tamayouz Iraqi students’ category and the First Prize is Nizar Razak from Baghdad University for his project; A Multipurpose urban space in Sadr city.  This project features a central major space with a large number of Secondary urban points spreading in Sadr City to improve the reality of the population there.  Supervised by Dr Inaam Al-Bazaz, Nizar is the first student from Baghdad University to reach the Top 3 of Tamayouz Iraqi students' Award.
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The Judging Panel’s Comment:
The theme and location selected by the project highlight the student’s sensitivity to real social needs in upgrading poor areas. It provides them with a clever and useful range of amenities which will impact social integration by improving the environmental living conditions but also by enhancing education and knowledge. The project successfully balances different needs by analyzing the urban space in depth and offering simple architectural solutions, which reflects the student’s understanding of both the urban context and the approach to address.
The urban design approach encapsulates a well-defined program of the living society in Sadr-City which was neglected for the last 5 decades. It shows a clear and deep analysis of urban priorities.
The approach is clear; it addresses each urban and functional component with an appropriate treatment, the presentation of forms and materials is simple and efficient.
Furthermore, it goes beyond the establishing of different social levels by integrating and upgrading vacant sites in the existing housing fabric, so that it will improve the standards of family living and at the same time create a plurality of social dynamics.
The simplicity of the approach makes it strongly efficient to address various complementary social needs. Eventually, this project contributes to establishing concrete bases and solutions to give back this neighbourhood the decent future it deserves.

The winner: A multipurpose urban space in Sadr city: a central major space with a large number of secondary urban points that spreading in Sadr City, to improve the reality of the population there .

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The Second Prize goes to Ruqaya Ibrahim from Assumption University in Thailand for her work “a Museum and a library” on the site of a terror attack in Baghdad’s Karrada Dakhil district.  Ruqaya’s work was supervised by Vasin Thammanuban.  ​
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The Judging Panel’s Comment:
The project presented an opportunity for constructive and interesting debate surrounding cities in conflict.  The architectural composition evokes a brave and unconventional response to the current war on terrorism while it acknowledges a painful present and uncertain future.  Furthermore, it intends to subvert preconceived ideas.  Certainly, aspirational and original. Takes an unconventional approach to challenging pain, existence and reconciliation – confronting the current situation in Iraq.  The building’s architectural value departs from a traditional ‘monument approach’ and adopts a confrontational approach.  Mindful that this building is not designed with the intention to be built it acknowledges the past to move forward. 
The project confronts not only challenges local to Baghdad, but the wider, prevalent global challenge of conflict and reconciliation – and its impact on communities.  The strong presentation gave the judges a sufficient understanding of the relationship between the context and design, without the need for an extended written narrative.  

Second Prize winner: A museum and a library” on the site of a terror attack in Baghdad’s Karrada Dakhil district.

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The Third Prize goes to Zainab Ayad Al-Robaie from Petra University in Jordan for her work on an Interpretation centre in Iraqi marshland (Al-Ahwar).  Zainab’s work was supervised by Dr Hadeer Merza.  ​
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The Judging Panel’s Comment:
A project which celebrates the traditional architecture and culture of the marshlands, placing value on the culture. Excellent research demonstrates a real commitment to the understanding of place and appropriate solutions. The project is beautifully presented and systematically researched, connecting micro and super macro thinking so essential in identifying local and global challenges. The use of local materials and light structure balances the impact of the buildings with the natural context. We enjoyed discussing the possibilities of traditional construction in future architectural innovation.

Third Prize Winner: Interpretation center in Iraqi marshlands Al-ahwar

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Honourable Mentions
The Fourth Place goes to Yousif Al-Khafajy from the University of Central Lancashire in the UK for his project “Baghdad Design Hub.”  This project was supervised by Simon Kay - Jones. 

The Judging Panel’s Comment:
The project promotes interaction between creative actors in the community, this viewed as a positive message that could foster transformative and positive cultural steps.  The selection of existing urban plans to form new building elements is haphazard but does deliver a contextually response grain.
The roof used to bind the elements creates a positive implied space and promotes passive shading and ventilation and could act as a strong space for interaction and collaboration.  However, the canopy includes some clumsy areas and the support is alien to the canopy and building.  Plan arises in some forgotten spaces to its edges and these require further resolution.
The canopy forms a strong counter point to the street vista, but the assembly of smaller building elements allows a continuation of existing grain.  Project will add positive element to a wider local culture of making of an artisan community.
The project is responsive and ambitious approach to coordination of creative community players.  

Fourth place: Baghdad Design Hub

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The Fifth Place goes to Halah Issa Al-Ani from the University of Baghdad for her project “Interactive learning centre in Baghdad.”  This project was supervised by Dr. Inaam Al-Bazzaz.

The Judging Panel’s Comment:
Project provides a useful and strong environment to promote interaction and collaborative learning across age groups, challenging segregation and promoting parent engagements and learning.
The assembly of smaller building element provides a careful vernacular response; however, the scale of the central space feels excessive, whilst the inclusion of level separation could be counter intuitive. The interaction of uses/roles is unclear and could be better communicated through appropriate diagrams, little technical material with the sheets, clarifying: process, materials, specific internal and external human activity. Distribution of spaces is not given sufficient dialogue.
Social impacts of the project could play a powerful role in local society. The physical impact of the fabric is sensitive and modest, although the use of large slab does bind the fine-grained elements into a larger functioning block which lacks long-term adaptability.
The vision is a strong social vision and the decision to create a modest architectural response is applauded.

Fifth place: Interactive Learning Centre In Baghdad

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The Sixth Place goes to Omar Dawood Alioui from the University of Technology for his project “Floating Hotel.”  This project was supervised by Dr Anwar Ramadan.
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The Judging Panel’s Comment:
It is an inspirational response. It is a grand experience, enjoyable but lack of relevance to social and economic context.  The scheme is very responsive and articulately resolved in many ways.
The scheme is structurally resolved with detail, research and under water habitable environment.
Exciting but lacking depth of social and environment intervention, the scheme illustrates a powerful visionary and technical ambition, it illustrates an originality of form inspired by its immediate context.  However, not sure if a whirlpool really exists in lakes!

Sixth Place: Floating Hotel

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The Seventh Place goes to Jenan Sabah from the University of Salahaddin for her project “Drug addiction and depression rehabilitation centre.”  This project was supervised by Dr Faris Ali Mustafa.

The Judging Panel’s Comment:
The project starts from a courageous statement about a social issue which is rarely addressed in Iraq although it is a major and urgent social challenge: drug addiction and depression among the Iraqi youth.  It locates the project in a green, safe and positive environment (which was a well-known location for healthy summer resorts).
It is ambitious as it envisions a holistic solution to the subject by going beyond the simple treatment of the problem by medical solutions, whether spatial or functional – although a notable effort was done to give precise information in this field- for instance by providing social outdoor activities.
Nevertheless, it seems that the topography of the site and the inscription in a mountainous environment is not accurately treated through the architectural solutions. The choice of a very classical « international modern » vocabulary does not look the most appropriate in this regard.
Also, the jury thought that the social impact of such projects might be stronger if not disconnected from any urban context. Eventually, this vision is daring and innovative as to the idea, but the project is treated as a classical sanatorium. A built urban ensemble might have proved more efficient in dealing with a subject that involves not only health, but also very complex social issues.

Seventh Place: Drug addiction and depression rehabilitation centre

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The Eighth Place goes to Nawras Jameel from Mosul University for his project “Museum for pioneering Iraqi architects.”  This project was supervised by Nahith Taha.

The Judging Panel’s Comment:
This project has the merit to put emphasis on the modern architectural heritage of Iraq which, despite its outstanding quality and original character, is still not publicly supported and protected.
The selection of the site is good and the different building layouts were not bad either.  Although the project displays a clever organization and articulation between building masses (in particular the choice of low buildings) and open spaces, the programme lacks an aspiration to integrate its different components into a comprehensive and consistent building design.

Eighth place: Museum for the pioneers of Iraqi architecture

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The Ninth Place goes to Farman Hussein from Koya University for his project “Centre for innovative sustainable technologies.”  This project was supervised by Mohammed Sabeeh.

The Judging Panel’s Comment:
A restrained and clear proposal which demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable technologies. We commend the proposal for a refreshing and meaningful architectural response to give identity and expression to the process of innovation. This is evident in the unique atmosphere created through natural ventilation and lighting.  

Ninth Place: Centre for innovative sustainable technologies

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The Tenth Place goes to Harith Thaeer Raad from Al-Nahrain University for his project “Al-Najf Historical Museum.”  This project was supervised by Dr Saba Sami.

The Judging Panel’s Comment:
Demonstrates an attempt towards a sensitive approach to the surrounding context through employing layering of masses and the floating structure. The scheme reflects an understanding and appreciation of the contexts social, historical and cultural implications. This is expressed through its use of materials used.
Holds potential to be developed further to express an aesthetically pleasing composition if the relationship of masses and the utilization of the surfaces can be explored further.  The project adopts an ambitious attempt to adapting to its local context through its selection of images however lacks clarity in expressing this through its description. 

Tenth Place: Al-Najaf Historical Museum

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The Iraqi Supervisor of the Year 2017 Award
The Supervisor of the Year 2017 Award goes to Dr Inaam Al-Bazzaz from Baghdad University for her supervision, support and encouragement to the winning project and an honourable mention of the 2017 Tamayouz Iraqi students Award.
 
The Iraqi Architecture School of the Year 2017 Award
The Architecture School of the Year 2017 award goes the School of Architecture at Baghdad University, the highest achieving projects coming from Iraqi universities are both from the University of Baghdad.
 
Tamayouz Founder, Ahmed Al-Mallak Said:
"Congratulations to the winners, supervisors, honourable mentions, the schools of architecture and all the achievers of Tamayouz Excellence Award. 
This year we received inspiring projects showing a new direction for architecture in Iraq, a design approach responding to local challenges, aiming to improve living standards and addressing current critical issues.
Today we change few lives forever and empower 10 hardworking young architects, wishing them the best of luck hoping that one day they will change the future of Iraqi architecture for the better."
 
The prizes of the 2017 Tamayouz Iraqi students' Award are:
- First Prize: A scholarship for an MSc at Coventry University + Tamayouz Excellence Award medal and certificate.

- Second Prize: A two month paid internship (5000 AED/ Month) at Dewan Architects and Engineers in Dubai in addition to another 5000 AED to cover the accommodation in Dubai, this opportunity is funded by Dewan Architects and Engineers in Dubai + Tamayouz Excellence Award medal and certificate.

- Third Prize: A two month paid internship (5000 AED/ Month) at Dewan Architects and Engineers in Dubai in addition to another 5000 AED to cover the accommodation in Dubai, this opportunity is funded by Dewan Architects and Engineers in Dubai + Tamayouz Excellence Award medal and certificate.

- Honourable Mentions: Tamayouz Excellence Award Certificate.

- Supervisor of the year 2017 prize: Tamayouz Excellence Award medal and certificate.

- Architecture School of the Year 2017:  Architecture School of the Year Trophy.
 
Worthy of mention, the 2016 winner was Ahmed Al-Mashhadani, the rest of the winners were all from the University of Technology and they are Anwar Sabah Abbas (2012), Khalid Riadh (2013) and Redha Hassan(2014) and Waad Durzi (2015).
 
This award and the meeting for the judges was made possible through the support of our generous sponsors; Kufa – Makiya Charity, Coventry University, Dewan Architects and Engineers, the Iraqi Business Council in Jordan, the United Nations Global Compact, Tradex Global ltd, Artigiani Mondo,  Ayad Al-Tuhafi Architects, Stadslab European Urban Design Laboratory and Fontys Academy.