zaha hadid to design central baghdad bank

the former central bank of iraq designed by danish architects dissing + weitling photo by thomas hartwell USaid

zaha hadid has been commissioned to design a new headquarters for the central bank in baghdad. her new design will replace the bank’s previous home, a marble-clad concrete structure designed by danish architects  dissing + weitling that was attacked by suicide bombers and gunmen on june 13, killing 14 people and injuring well over 50.

baghdad-born hadid, 59, was approached by the iraqi authorities earlier this year, before the attack, said roger howie, a spokesman for zaha hadid architects. initial talks about the project were held in istanbul on aug. 14 in the presence of central bank governor sinan al-shabibi, he said.

her practice has now been asked for ‘a feasibility study, brief development and concept design,’a statement from zaha hadid architects said.

left to right: zaha hadid and baghdad city

via bloomberg