Mayar Abd
student
University of Baghdad, College of Engineering
Iraq
Architecture
A natural island is located in the city of Baghdad, on the banks of the Tigris river. with a surface area of some 60,000 m², In an area of high industrial… more
inci SHOAINIA
advisor
Gazi University, Faculty of Architecture, Ankara
Turkey
İnci Shoainia is an architect and co-founder of Spika Architecture, based in Turkey. She holds a… more
One of the project's strongest aspects is its approach to environmental issues, not merely as a technical problem, but as a cultural and social matter. The idea of re-establishing the broken relationship between the Tigris River and humanity lends the project a strong conceptual depth. The organic settlement approach, developed while preserving the natural form of the islands, ensures that architecture works in harmony with the landscape. The fluid form language used in the project successfully reflects the movement and continuity of the river. The integration of environmental systems such as the Fog Tower, Water Treatment Frame, and Eco-Bowl Boat into the architectural design elevates the project beyond a simple landscape proposal. The successful use of environmental technologies, not only as functional but also as experiential elements, is particularly noteworthy. The reinterpretation of cultural memory through Mesopotamian references gives the project a strong identity. The proposed ecological network system between the islands allows the design to be conceived as a replicable system rather than a singular structure. The project's public value is enhanced by its approach to the visitor experience through education, research, culture, and ecology. Overall, the project presents a powerful and visionary design proposal that impressively combines environmental sustainability with architectural narrative.
• The energy consumption, maintenance processes, and realistic feasibility of the Fog Tower and water treatment systems can be shown in more detail. The circulation scenario between the islands can be made more readable at the user scale.
• The large-scale and iconic form language of the project overshadows the human scale in some areas; the public space experience can be defined more strongly.
• The ecological diversity of the landscape areas can be developed in more detail through plant species, habitat strategies, and seasonal use.
• The interior spatial organization and program distributions of the buildings can be supported by clearer plan diagrams.
• The project's phasing process and how it will grow over time can be explained with a clearer systems structure.
• The way the local people participate in the project and social use scenarios can be made more visible.
• The language of the drawings loses readability in some sections due to the heavy use of visuals; the information hierarchy can be established more strongly.
12.05.2026