The Central Bank of Iraq skyscraper in Baghdad is a rather symbolic development for both the architects and the country as a whole. The building is being constructed in the hometown of Zaha Hadid, who did not live to see the completion of the tower. Interestingly, the investment will also become a new symbol of a resurgent Iraq. 21 years after the start of the American invasion, the country is struggling to return to its pre-war state. The only non-negotiable object in the area is the Tigris River, and Zaha Hadid Architects’ new project is set to follow its current.
The rushing Tigris
In June 2010, an Islamic paramilitary group broke into a bank building and carried out a bomb attack. The terrorists’ target was gold bars locked in a vault. Dozens of people were killed in the attack and the luxurious 1980s building was destroyed. The design of the new bank was developed later that year, and negotiations between Zaha Hadid and the institution were conducted in Istanbul. However, one of the most famous architects of deconstructivism died in 2016, two years before construction began. Nevertheless, the aesthetically subdued deconstruction broke through to the Central Bank of Iraq skyscraper.
The skyscraper’s massing stands on a platform and expands upwards, giving it a dynamic appearance and providing increased office space. The tower’s exuberant shapes are further accentuated by the stratification of the façade. The undulating vertical lines of the building allude to the rushing Tigris that flows through Baghdad. The dynamism of the volume does not take away from its solidity and monumentality. At 170 metres high, the tower is Baghdad’s tallest building and a harbinger of better times to come for the country.
The façade’s bifurcations open up onto the river through large glazing. This arrangement allows for better interior lighting and guarantees a stunning view of the Tigris. The shapes of the façade are also linked to the building’s structural skeleton. The exoskeleton has been exposed to perform additional aesthetic functions. Interestingly, the podium will be covered with green terraces and gardens that will blend in with the surroundings. Skylights in the roof of the lower part of the bank will let a lot of light in. The building will also have direct access to the riverbank, further enhancing the existing boulevards in this part of the city.
Revival
It is still worth mentioning the situation of the country where the Central Bank of Iraq skyscraper is being built. Although the end of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship increased civil liberties in Iraq, this did not translate into an improved quality of life for the population. The US invasion and subsequent terrorism together prevented development. To this day, Iraqis believe that their lives were better before the events of 2003. Nonetheless, the prognosis for Zaha Hadid’s homeland is quite good, especially when economic issues are taken into account. A resurgent Baghdad will become a symbol of the great reconstruction of the whole country in the future.
The building is expected to open in 2024 and represent Iraq’s cultural heritage with dignity. The latest construction photos show how well the visuals have been translated into reality. In the right light, the colour of the building resembles sandy shades of white, which blend well with the surrounding buildings.
Photo source: © Zaha Hadid Architects
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