career history
Taghlib AbdulHadi AlWaily
Architect/Planner
EDUCATION:
- B.Sc. Architecture Engineering, University of Baghdad 1974
- M.Sc. Urban & Regional planning, University of Baghdad 1977
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:
- Architectural Design
- Interior Design
- Urban & Regional Planning
- Feasibility Studies
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Career Summary:
Like most architects, I tried to experience, understand, and deal with every aspect of our career, during my 50 years of professional experience - mainly in UAE, Iraq and some years in Jordan and Canada - I dealt with 100+ projects with a wide scope and varieties, from planning to Architectural design including interiors, and sometime graphics.
Working as client representative, member of Jury, design manager, freelance designer, project manager, contractor, company manager. I was in all of those an architect and a creative thinker.
Experiencing this extensive journey provided me with an understanding for most of our discipline’s requirements, and a better knowledge of client’s needs.
HISTORY
Public Works Department, Abu Dhabi:
1977 to 1987
In addition to my experience as a client representative, I have performed during my work in PWD in Abu Dhabi project management during the design stage for Abu Dhabi Government projects. Dealing with by international Consulting architects and engineers, this job involved the following duties;
- Preparing pre- design studies including feasibility report, pre- qualifications, invitations etc.
- Design analysis and participation in design Jury and panels.
- Negotiation with the winning firms and contract signing.
- Follow up of various design stages with the consultant including problem solving and Quality c
- Participation in handing over process and resolving of financial claims and contractual disputes.
Projects during this period were mostly Government Departments, Presidential & guest Palaces, al Ain Airport, Hospitals in Abu Dhabi & Al Ain, National Theatre, Abu Dhabi Prisons & Juvenile homes, and Renovation of Old Diwan Amiri, Planning Department, traffic Department, Ministry of Information and TV Complex in addition to PWD Department building itself.
Freelance designer:
1978 to 1984
During this period, I also designed few winning projects for private clients and architectural firms. Projects during this period:
- Ministry of Interior Building/Abu Dhabi: Dar al Emara
- Police Officers Club/ UAE: Dar Al Emara
- High rise building and palaces/ Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: Dar El Emara
- Mohammed Bin Zayed Palace/Abu Dhabi: Arkan architects
- Camel Race Track/Abu Dhab: W.S. Atkins
- Emirates General Petroleum HQ/Dubai: Arif & Bin Touk
Dewan Architects:
1984 to 1988
Dewan Architects was established 1984 and the 1st contract was Shk. Hazza Bin Zayed “Bani Yas Tower on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi which won the 1st Prize in a design competition. In addition to this, during the 4 years I had been Involved with Dewan Architects as an associate and design director and managed to win a few design competitions and contracts; namely:
- Bani Yas Tower/Abu Dhabi Cornish
- Sultan Bin Zayed Palace/ Abu Dhabi
- Al Jazeera Resort Hotel/ Abu Dhabi- Dubai road
Ritaj Architecture & Interiors
1988 to 2000
Since 1988, as owner and director, managed high end architectural and interior design and/or turnkey assignments. Those projects are mainly:
- Said Al Ghafly Building/Abu Dhabi
- Sultan Bin Zayed Palace/Al Ain
- Saeed Bin Zayed Villa/Al Ain
- Mohd Bin Butti Complex/Abu Dhabi
- Mohd Bin Butti Complex/Al Ain
- Saif bin Zayed Villa/Al Ain
- Hazza Bin Zayed Villa/Bahrani Island
- Salama Bint Zayed Villa/Abu Dhabi
- Renovation of Le Meridian Hotel/Abu Dhabi
- VIP Lounge/ Abu Dhabi Airport
- Shk Sultan Bin Khalifa Villa/Qsar Bu Seed Island
In addition to other projects.
Freelance Consultant
2000 to 2005
In 2001, asked to prepare a feasibility study and preliminary design of Danfodio Hotel Complex/Khartoom: Danfodio Contracting & Investment Company.
After returning to Iraq in 2003, managed to establish a consulting engineering firm that was involved in a few projects with the Iraqi government as well as USAID project contractors like Parsons and ECCI. During this period the following projects were established and performed:
- Renovation of Ministry of Planning Complex/Baghdad
- Renovation of Numaniya, Karkush and Habbaniya Camps/Iraq
- Master Plan of K1 Kamp/Kirkuk
- QC on Interior Finishes for BPSTA Complex/Baghdad
Planning Consultant Dar Al Imara/ SGI
2005 to 2008
Working as associate and planner, recently, I have managed one of the leading planning projects in Iraq; “Al Muthanna Governorate Structure Plan”. The project is a 25- year regional plan for the development of the Governorate, and provides a road map in short, medium and long term. The project was successfully finished in less than 14 months and involved coordination with the Italian planning team as well the Iraqi teams which included engineers, surveyors and experts. Client/Iraqi Ministry of Municipalities & Public Works.
“Urban Renewal of Old Mosul Town” is the other recent planning experience, been involved as a planning consultant. It is an urban renewal study for one of the richest urban cultural fabrics involving old churches and mosques in addition to heritage housing schemes. Client/ Iraqi Ministry of Municipalities & Public Works.
In addition to few design proposals for projects in Kurdistan, Jordan &Iraq.
Al Mimari Architects & Planners
2008 to 2014
During this period, managed the Site Survey stage, Data Analysis, Proposals and Alternative Submittals stages successfully for major two projects:
- Al Rasheed Street Development project/Client; Baghdad Mayoralty.
- Mosul Master Plan Update/Client; Iraqi Ministry of Municipalities & Public Works.
- Other Studies, proposals, and competitions like Public Library, Jadriya City were also among the winning designs during this period.
Turath
2015 to date
As founder of Turath (NFP) in Montreal, Canada, managed to get the Establishment involved in supporting Heritage projects in the Middle East and particularly in Iraq.
Many events were launched and publications were published in London, Amman and Baghdad since 2015 particularly to promote the REVIVAL OF Baghdad Historical Centre with Iraqi Government, UNESCO, World Bank and other institutions.
Previous Planning Participation
Important experience was gained through participation in major planning projects in Iraq durinf the seventies of the last century:
- Baghdad Central Core (Bab Al Shargi Area)/a planning study, 1977
- Iraq Housing Plan/ Dar Al Imara- Polservice, 1976
- Baghdad RTS/Swiss Consult, 1976
- Ismailiya Tourist City, Egypt/ Private investor, 1992
Papers and Books
Academic Papers, Research, Events and Workshops
- First International Conference on Conservation of Historical City centers in Iraq:
Paper: “Al Rasheed Street Development: Opportunities & Challenges”. Baghdad/Iraq, March 2010
- The First International Conference on Transformation of Urban Character of Arab Cities since the Late Last Century:
Paper: “Baghdad Historical City: How its Past can Revitalize its Future”. Amman/Jordan, April 2014
- Al Kindi Engineering Forum: Iraq Architecture & Planning
Paper: “Baghdad: Towards the Revival of its Historic City Centre”. London/UK, January 2016
- Oxford Brooks University: School of architecture
Lecture: “Talk about the Revival of Baghdad Historical City”. Oxford/UK, April 2016
- Iraqi Cultural Attaché
Workshop: “Revival of Baghdad Historical City”. London/UK, April 2016
- Al Orfali Gallery/Amman, Jordan
Workshop: “Baghdadi Visions Discussion, Photo Exhibition and discussion”. May 2017
- Adrem Gallery/London, UK
Workshop: “Baghdadi Visions Discussion, Photo Exhibition and discussion”. June 2018
- Central Station, London/UK
Photo Exhibition: ‘Architecture in Baghdad”. June 2018
- Iraqi Consulate, Montreal/Canada
Workshop: “Revival of Baghdad Historical City”. Montreal/Canada, January 2019
- Iraqi Forum for Intellectual & Academics Conference, Istanbul, Turkey
Paper: “Towards the Recognition & Revival of Baghdad Historical Centre”. Photo Exhibition:
Managed and participated in several online workshops and interviews since March 2020
Publications:
- Baghdad 21st Century “The Historical City”/May 2017
This 580- page book enhanced with, photos, data and charts, is a study that sets out a future vision for the revival of the historical city through a comprehensive urban plan based on reshaping its memory to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future.
Language: Arabic
- Baghdad 21st: The Historical City/June 2017
This 108- page book enhanced with, photos, data and charts, is a brief review of a study that sets out a future vision for the revival of the historical city through a comprehensive urban plan based on reshaping its memory to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future.
Language: English
- Several Publications promoting the Revival project and in support of Ihea’a Initiative including the preparation of informative and Videos to support the Revival campaign.
Mentions & Interviews
- Nomination and Shortlisted for the Mohammed Makiya Prize 2019
- Interviewed by Newspapers, Radio & TV Stations and Newspapers like Al Jazzera, Al Sharqiya, Asia and RT and others.
- Received Letter of appreciation from Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Iraqi Embassy in London.
- Received Honoring from Mayoralty of Baghdad on its Tricentenary celebration.
SPECIAL MISSIONS
Ihea’a Initiative
Since 2018, been working on a public awareness initiative. The Initiative Goal is to Save he Heritage and unique urban Character of the Historical city of Baghdad and regenerate the city centre through revitalizing its activities to recreate its characteristics as a great place to live, work and celebrate.
Succeeded to convince many Academic, NGO’s and Activists to join the initiative campaign that has many venues. Currently, managing the Initiative online activities:
- URL: http://www.baghdad21.com
- Facebook: Iheabaghdad
- Instagram: turathbaghdad
- Linkedin: Taghlib AbdulHadi AlWaily
- Youtube: Turath Ca
- Twitter: @Turathbaghdad
