Zaha Hadid joined H.E. Dr Sinan Al-Shabibi, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), at a ceremony to sign the agreement between CBI and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for the design stages of the new CBI Headquarters building. The ceremony was hosted at the Victoria & Albert Museum by H.E. Dr Muhielddin Hussein Abdullah, Charges d’Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy.
ZHA have already completed the client’s Brief Development and will immediately begin the design process that will focus on developing a national symbol for the new spirit of Iraq on the shores of the Tigris River in Baghdad. ZHA will lead the international team of specialist consultants including: Adams Kara Taylor, Max Fordham, Newtecnic, DEGW, Gross Max, Davis Langdon, Arup, Warringtonfire, Winton Nightingale and A2 Project Managers.
Dr Sinan Al-Shabibi said: “The new building shall be a symbol of the Bank’s role in the economic development of Iraq and a reflection of the determination to rebuild the country.”
Zaha Hadid said: “I am deeply touched that I have been asked to design the new headquarters for the Central Bank of Iraq. I was born in Iraq and I still feel very close to it. I feel very privileged to be working in Iraq on a design of such national importance.”
Continue after the break for more images of the ceremony.
Cite: Karissa Rosenfield. "Zaha Hadid Architects and Central Bank of Iraq sign agreement for new Headquarters" 03 Feb 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/205126/zaha-hadid-architects-and-central-bank-of-iraq-sign-agreement-for-new-headquarters> ISSN 0719-8884