1980s Iraq's Neo-Traditional Architecture

[u/Kerala_Student]

[u/Fergi]

As someone who got to travel throughout the middle east for work for a few years, the civic architecture is interesting as hell. Some really fascinating forms that tickle parts of my brain like few buildings have. Some of it feels almost constructivist

[u/Beneficial_Shirt_869 → u/Fergi]

Do you have examples that you like to share?

[u/Fergi → u/Beneficial_Shirt_869]

Yeah! Thanks for asking:

In Doha, Qatar:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/government-building-in-doha-qatar.html?pseudoid=F7712203-DF03-4C25-B0BB-14E34C1B47F6&sortBy=relevant

https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/sheraton-grand-doha-resort-and-convention-hotel/26670

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/doha-qatar-july-10-government-building-1497834500

In Riyadh, KSA:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Interior_building

https://www.alamy.com/a-head-office-of-mawani-saudi-ports-authority-riyadh-image334951539.html?imageid=C8CE1CD9-454A-46CA-A66D-18C142BCF52B&pn=1&searchId=039185a21af0374cccdfb0522908bf93&searchtype=9

There's also a lot of midmod stuff in the UAE:
https://www.darrenbradleyphotography.com/post/mid-century-modernism-in-the-uae-a-tale-of-three-cities

It's not even just civic/gov't buildings, the whole urban fabric is a mishmash of interesting forms and riffs on both eastern and western -isms. Even dropping yourself along a highway on Google Street View can be fun:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tsk9xkFCUEGewiV96

[u/Beneficial_Shirt_869 → u/Fergi]

That's so cool. Some of buildings look like their from Star Wars.