Former RIBA president Angela Brady has announced Shereen Sherzad as the recipient of the second annual Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Award, Iraq’s most prestigious architecture prize for women in architecture. Sherzad, an architect, academic and planner, taught at the school of Baghdad School of Architecture and worked as the director of the Higher Commission for the revitalization of the Erbil Citadel, which was awarded World Heritage Status. She is also the author of four architecture textbooks, used as references and teaching materials in Iraq and other Arab schools of Architecture.
The winners of the Young Woman Architect and Special Commemorative Awards, after the break.
In addition to Sherzad’s recognition, aspiring architect and academic at the University of Technology in Baghdad, Venus Akef was awarded the “Rising Star - Young Woman Architect” award for her explorations in architectural heritage and cultural identity. She is currently working towards her PhD at the University of Cincinnati.
A Special Commemorative Award was given to Neda Al-Juboory, an “outstanding community architect who engaged at local level and inspired all those who came in contact with her.” Sadly in 2007, Al-Juboory was killed in a car bomb explosion where she worked as the Director of Urban Planning at the Ministry of Municipalities.
Ahmed Al-Mallak, Founder of the Tamayouz Excellence Award said: “It gives us great pleasure to announce the winners of Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Award, both Shereen Sherzad and Venus Akef are still making outstanding contributions to the profession of architecture in Iraq and it is important to show the commitment and sacrifices Iraqi women are making and this is portrayed by the commitment of the late Neda Al-Juboory who was killed during a ceremony where she was supposed to receive a prize for her excellent work. Women in Iraq are doing fantastic jobs and we will continue to highlight their efforts.”
Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Award was established in 2012 the first award of its kind in the Middle East, this award is part of the Tamayouz Excellence Award – The Iraqi Architecture Prize.
Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Award is Iraq’s most coveted architectural prize, it aims to recognize the outstanding achievements of Iraqi women architects, promote role models for young Iraqi women and to encourage skilled women to challenge themselves to explore careers within traditionally male dominate professions rather than remain in ones which appear more female friendly.
The 2014 Jury Panel:
- Angela Brady, Architect and Past President of the RIBA
- Clare Devine, Director of the Architecture and Built Environment CABE at the Design Council
- Jane Duncan, Architect and President Elect of the RIBA
- Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect
Angela Brady's official announcement:
