Draft:Dewan Award for Architecture

Introduction
Dewan Award for Architecture is an international, thematic, annual competition that calls for designs responding to local challenges in Iraq.

History
This award was established through a fund allocated by Dewan Architects + Engineers.

This prize aims to introduce Iraq and its challenges to the world and invite them to submit their ideas for thematic competitions, establishing an uncompromising open source of ideas tackling social issues in Iraq. Dewan then presents the winning designs to responsible authorities.

Dewan Award, which has a different theme every year, gives architects and designers a platform to address issues and showcase innovative solutions to urban challenges in Iraq. The following sections go over each year's themes in detail:

2023: The New Basra Waterfront
The competition theme was to design solutions to revitalise the prominent waterfront site and create a ‘useable, influential and cosmopolitan recreational’ space which helps to boost the well-being and quality of life of local people.

2022: Rehabilitation Centre for Terrorism Victims in Iraq
The competition theme was to design a Rehabilitation Centre for Terrorism Victims in Iraq. The rehab center should offer a safe and comfortable space for the patients, supporting their health, psychological and physical needs.

2021: A Sanctuary for Homeless Girls in Iraq
The competition theme was to design a safe and comfortable space for homeless girls that supports their health, educational and psychosocial needs and helps them to achieve their own potential.

2020: Almedina Youth House and Plaza
The competition theme was to design a multi-activity youth complex and public plaza, creating a youthful cultural strip and a public platform that can hose various cultural and social events.

2019: Al-Umma Park in Baghdad
The competition theme was to design a new urban planning and architectural approach that helps Baghdad celebrate its heritage and raise awareness of the importance of maintaining all the layers of its history and heritage. The objective is the urban rehabilitation of Baghdad’s central park, restoring it to its former glory – a recreational space that served as an attraction for families and a platform for Iraqi art and history.

2018: School in the Iraqi Marshes
The competition theme was to design a primary school in the long-forgotten area of the Iraqi marshes, taking into account the limitations of the area and the ecological impact of construction on nature and the fauna of the marshes. The design is for a 6-class primary school serving the nearby villages with all the amenities of a modern school.

The Jury
Winners are selected by an independent judging panel comprised of renowned architects, academics, and professionals from around the world.

Former judges include Professor Jala Makhzoumi, Professor Wendy Pullan, Dr Davide Ponzini, Fuad AL Kindi, Dr Mohamed Al-Assam, Kathy Basheva, Nadia Habash, Professor Shaaban Taha Shaaban, Lucinda Anis, Dr Hassan Radoine, Claudia Linders, Fernando Olba, Kerem Cengiz, Professor Kostas Adamakis, Dr Carl Fraser, Professor Matteo Poli, Professor Felipe Samaran Salo, Ammar Khammash, Manhal Habbobi, Ossaid Al-Eitan, Ahmed Al-Azzawi, Ahmed Al-Mallak.

Prizes
First place winners receive $6,000 or a six-month externship at Dewan, renewable for one year + Invitation to attend the Award Ceremony (Flights and Hotel) + Certificate

Second place winners are awarded with $3,000 + Invitation to attend the Award Ceremony (Flights and Hotel) + Certificate

Third place winners are awarded with $1,000 + Invitation to attend the Award Ceremony (Flights and Hotel) + Certificate.

Honourable Mentions awarded with Certificate + Invitation to attend the Award Ceremony + Published in the Annual book.

Top 20 Entries awarded with Certificate + Published work in publications, on our website, on social media pages and in exhibitions.

These Prizes are for the 2023 competition.