REHABILITATION CENTER

Tamayouz Excellence Award
Top 15 - Dewan Award for Architecture Competition

Group Project | Tai Le - Giang Bien
Rehabilitation Building | Bagdad, Iraq | Autumn 2022


“It took me years to reconcile with my injury and love my new self again; I was ashamed of my amputated hand; I didn’t want people to see it; I had a feeling that it was my fault that I lost my hand, you forget you are a victim. Rehabilitation is all about connection; you need to connect with specialists to respond to therapy, and you can only connect in a private setting. Centers need to offer personal privacy; I always asked my family to wait in the reception whenever I had an appointment. Patients spend hours in these centers; it becomes their second home; it always helps when the center has a positive atmosphere to remind you that life is not over yet,” A victim of a 2008 terrorist attack in Basra.

Human rights in Iraq remain precarious as the nation endeavors to emerge from the clutches of decades-long autocracy, warfare, and rampant violence. Despite the successive regimes that have governed the country since 2003, implementing measures aimed at bolstering the safeguarding of their populace, progress remains agonizingly sluggish, impeded by the formidable obstacles that beset the nation.

We, as advocates of peace and harmony, possess an acute understanding of the profound anguish endured by the Iraqi people in the wake of each successive wave of terrorist onslaughts. The toll of these attacks is devastating, with scores of innocent citizens rendered vulnerable targets by militant factions falling victim to these senseless acts of violence. The repercussions extend far beyond physical agony, permeating the very fabric of their being, inflicting indelible scars upon their psyche, and exacerbating their already dire circumstances. Thus, our foremost endeavor was to establish a rehabilitation center, a sanctuary wherein victims could find solace and liberation from the terror that has plagued their existence. Simultaneously, this haven would serve as a surrogate home, fostering an environment imbued with love and compassion.

Driven by our profound empathy for the innocent victims of terrorism in Iraq, we sought to channel our affection and expertise into the design of a rehabilitation center. This tower would imbue their lives with purpose and significance. Our conceptualization of this space was rooted in the symbolism of the clover, an emblem of hope and fortune. We fervently desire each victim to find solace and joy within the confines of this structure, as the spaces within are thoughtfully curated to evoke comfort and contentment. Furthermore, the seamless integration of the interior spaces with the natural surroundings fosters a harmonious connection, nurturing the spirit of the patients and facilitating their reintegration into the world at large. Through this visionary project, we firmly believe that architecture possesses the power to effect transformative change, fueled by love and unwavering compassion for our fellow human beings.