ABOUT

In the second half of the twentieth century Baghdad had settled different projects handled by important architects, which some have been executed, others not. Le Corbusier was asked to design the Sports City, a huge complex that was supposed to receive stadiums and other infrastructures. In the end this project did not emerge in its entirety, but after the death of the architect, the Iraqi government wanted to achieve the project of the Al-Shaab Sports Hall, also known as gymnasium. This one was built by a Japanese construction company. Le Corbusier’s has abundantly commented work as author and architect in the Western world, but the Gymnasium suffers from the plight of being a posthumous work.  The new Iraqi government wishes to resume the development of the complex, now called youth city, and decided to redevelop and refurnish the gymnasium.

Together with a team of French architects, specialists in restoration projects, the intervention was developed with a deep respect for the existing building.

The main features include a significant extension to cover the stands previously outside and integrating new surfaces to receive cultural and sporting events, as well as restaurants and contemporary public reception facilities.

The structural engineers worked closely with the architects in order to achieve the desired lightness and transparency harmonizing it with need for large span structures and solving some complex intricate structures inside.