University of Kufa

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Architecture

Rifat Chadirji
Architect

Life(1926). Work: photographer, author and activist.

Prepared for subject:

Principles of Art and Architecture

Prepared by:
Faiz Kamel
First year

Supervised by:
Dr. Aqeel Qusay

March 2019
 Contents

Chapter 1
 Introduction……………………………………………….2
SINGLE
 Background…………………………………………………2
 Early life and education……………………………...3
TEAM
SLIDE
Chapter 2
 Career………………………………………………………….4
 Work……………………………………………………………4
 Profession…………………………………………………..4

Chapter 3
 Architectural Style………………………………………5
 Architectural School……………………………………5
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Chapter 4
 Most important buildings……………………………6
 Most important achievements……………………7
 Most important achievements…………………….8

Chapter 5
 Legacy………………………………………………………..9

 References………………………………………………….10

Contents 1
 Chapter 1

Introduction & background

Introduction
One of the most distinguished 20th
century architects and theorists
from the Middle East, Rifat Chadirji,
the father of architecture in Iraq, is
SINGLE
a living legend.
TEAM
SLIDE

Background
Rifat Chadirji (also known as Rifa'at Al
Chaderchi)was born on December 6,
1926 in Baghdad, is an Iraqi architect,
photographer, author and activist.
He is admired as the greatest modern
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architect of Iraq, and taught at the Fig.1, Rifat Chadirji, 80.

Baghdad School of Architecture for
many years.
Chadirji built more than 100 buildings,
homes and monuments across the
country, imbuing his work with an
innate understanding of authentic
regional expression and modernism.

Chapter 1 2
 Chapter 1

Biography, Early life & Education

Biography
“Rifat Chadirji is one of the most
prominent architects in the Arab
world,” -Caecilia Pieri in 2013.
Rifat Chadirji is an architect who
hasSINGLE
imbued his work with a deep
understanding of the roots of
TEAM
authentic regional expression, as
well asSLIDE
a true appreciation of
modernism and its principles.
Chadirji has shown a unique
capacity for the synthesis of form
and function that translates
traditional architectural idioms into
contemporary expressions.

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Fig.2, Rifat Chadirji, 80.

Early life & education
Rifat was educated in the UK, and returned to Iraq upon graduating in
1952 as an active participant in the modernization of the country,
working with notable architects and designers from Europe, the United
States, and Iraq including, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Walter
Gropius, Alvar Aalto, and Mohamed Makiya.

Chapter 1 3
 Chapter 2

Work & Career

Work
Rifat first worked in 1952, in what
he called “architectural
experiments”. His early works were
primarily reconstructions of old
SINGLE
buildings, his famous “Monument
of Unknown Soldier” reveals the
TEAM
inspiration of his designs.
SLIDE
He would continue to use ancient
Iraqi motifs in his building designs.

Fig.3, Monument of Unknown

Soldier, Iraq, 1959.
Career & Profession
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“People still speak about him and his work because he always had a
style of his own,” said Sharara
Rifat Chadirji's architecture is inspired by the characteristics of regional
Iraqi architecture. He worked as an architect, consualler & served in jail
for 2 years.
Although Rifat designed many residences, he is most noted for his
public works, including both buildings and monuments.

Chapter 2 4
 Chapter 3

Architectural Style & Architectural School

SINGLE
TEAM
SLIDE

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Fig.4, London’s central

mosque, London, 1969.
Architectural Style & Architectural School
In the context of architecture, Rifat called this approach, international
regionalism. Chadirji's approach was entirely consistent with the
objectives of the Modern Baghdad Group, founded in 1951, sought to
combine ancient Iraqi heritage with modern art and architecture.
Rifat’s heart was modernist, his works were influenced by modern
architecture, but he always his own religious touch to it.

Chapter 3 5
 Chapter 4

Most important buildings

SINGLE
TEAM
SLIDE

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Fig.5, Federation of
Industries, Iraq, 1966

Fig.6, Front elevation

of Federation of
Industries.

Chapter 4 6
 Chapter 4

Most important buildings

SINGLE
TEAM
SLIDE

Fig.7, Kirbasi
House, Iraq, 1953.

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Fig.8, Monument of
Unknown Soldier, Iraq,
1959.

Chapter 4 7
 Chapter 4

Most important achivements

Most important achivements

In 1986, Mr. Chadirji received an Aga
Khan Chairman’s Award for Lifetime
Achievements. In 2015, Chadirji was
awarded the Tamayouz Architectural
Lifetime Achievement Award, an award
SINGLE that celebrates the pioneers of Iraqi
TEAM architecture and is “presented annually
to an individual who has had a significant
SLIDE contribution towards the advancement
of architecture in Iraq.”
Fig.9,National Bank, Abu
Dhabi, 1970.

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Fig.10, Central Post

Telephone and Telegraph
Building

Chapter 4 8
 Chapter 5

Legacy

Legacy
Rifat was presented Aga Khan
Award for Architecture, which he
received in 1986.
In 2017, the Rifat Chadirji Prize was
SINGLE
created to recognize local architects
who are involved in rebuilding parts
TEAM
of Iraq that had been destroyed. The
prize isSLIDE
awarded under the umbrella
of the Tamayouz Award for
Excellence.

Rifat works remain an inspiration for

many designers, and show his
serious work, and his work was
never questioned.

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Fig.11, Chadirji’s
House, Iraq, 1954.

Chapter 5 9
 References

 https://ar.wikipedia.org
 https://archnet.org
 http://www.rifatchadirji.com
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
 https://alarab.co.uk
SINGLE
 http://www.al-mashahir.com
TEAM
 The Architecture of Rifat Chadirji:
SLIDE
A Collection of Twelve Etchings.

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References 10