Al-Farik Yasin Al-Hashimi House / USSR Embassy in Iraq

Notes

Al-Waziriya was a significant area throughout Baghdad’s economic growth and modernization. Its population experienced a transformation towards a modern lifestyle, and this project translated well this socio-economical phenomenon in its architecture.

In terms of both composition and materiality, the architect put forth variations and contrasts. For example, the modernist features and program of the building were in contention with the classical Greek elements, such as the Ionic columns on the building entrance and verandas, as well as the ornamentation of the parapets and window frames. These classical elements, rendered in white, were also in contrast with the warm colored materials used for cladding.

The terraces played an essential role in the design composition. For instance, on the first floor, the terraces were wide and spacious and occupied two facades, the main one and a lateral one. These terraces generated covered exterior spaces, such as verandas, bays, and porticos, with structures featuring the classical Greek-styled columns.

The building was firstly used as a residence for a short period of time, until 1940, when it got transformed into the USSR embassy. Later on, the building’s function and status changed multiple times, until 2017, when it was demolished and became a car parking.
 

Sources

Khaled al-Sultany, Study on Representations of Architectural modernity in Iraq, Amman: Adib Books, 2021, p. 138-142.

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