Le Corbusier was commissioned by the Iraqi government to build a massive sports center for Baghdad. The gymnasium was finished in 1980 under the guidance of one of Le Corbusier’s associates Georges-Marc Presenté after Le Corbusier had passed away in 1965.
The complex is formed of three squares which make up the seating, the sports floor and a nearby playing field surrounded by amphitheater seating. The construction is mainly of reinforced concrete.  The roof slopes down from the highest seating towards the lower façade of the building. The top part of the façade from which the slope starts is edged with horizontal louvers. The play of ramps in and out of the building creates an architectural promenade that flows gently in between the floors.
The outdoor sports field is separated from the indoor sports floor by a 32m x 12m steel door on rails that goes inside a concrete frame when opened. In addition, the two sports fields open up to form one big sports ground. This is also illustrated in the ramps. There is an outdoor 'grand public ramp' that goes up from the ground floor to the second seating level while the ramp to the third floor curves inside the first ramp and therefore the visitor is given the dual feeling of this play on the outdoor/indoor.   

Southwest View

Source: Caecilia Pieri/Fondation Le Corbusier/ADAGP

© Caecilia Pieri/Fondation Le Corbusier/ADAGP

General View

Source: Caecilia Pieri

© Caecilia Pieri