Mr Rifat Chadirji   

Architect Chadirj  Foundation  

Title of presentation :Modernity, cultural and environmental adaptations

Architecture in Iraq did not change much since conversion to Islam. Local domestic architecture developed and adapted well with local cultural and environmental conditions. Local culture was not influenced by Renaissance or modern trends. Hence the arrival at the beginning of the twentieth century, of modern technology and contemporary architectural forms, could not be absorbed readily. Contemporary architecture in Iraq, was not able to adapt nor become compatible with local environmental conditions, nor expresses local identity.   In 1950, I established a theory of dialectics of architecture. It establishes the mechanism by which architectural forms are created. Hence, from the beginning of my practice, in 1953, I tried to tackle both problems: environmental adaptability and local identity