The complex is the seat for political conferences and cultural events, and is located in the heart of Baghdad overlooking Zawra Park.

The horizontal building mass is punctuated by a large assembly hail on one end and, on the other, by a volume containing the President's meeting hall, and a large and two small meeting halls. The central part of the building comprises an atrium and circulation space with a large sculpture, and serves as the main entrance and reception foyer. Small discussion rooms and lounges are located within the cylindrical volumes protruding from the principal building mass.

The blind façades of the principal meeting halls contrast with those of the office, administrative, and reception areas where fair-face concrete sun screen panels are employed in a geometrical fashion.

Interior volumes are given individual character by the introduction of curved and moulded ceiling elements and finish details. The principal structural system is in-situ re-inforced concrete slab and frame; clear-span steel framing is used for the main hail and foyer. With the exception of the steel trusses, the structural materials are of local provenance; most finish materials were imported.


Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture