Erbil Boutique Office
Location: Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
Scale: 10 000 m2
Scope: Concept design
Iraq has a diverse landscape, featuring deserts, canyons, and oases. We sought to bring this diversity together in a single architectural expression through its form, color, and materiality.
Iraq has deep historical roots and a rich cultural heritage, as this land was once home to ancient Mesopotamia. Traditional architecture and craftsmanship made extensive use of clay and sandstone, which inspired our choice of matte ceramic cladding for the sand-colored façade slats.
We also drew inspiration from the Erbil Citadel, envisioning the building as a new landmark and the dominant architectural feature of the area.
The horizontal slabs, with their varying thicknesses and smooth contours, are finished in white plaster with a soft, velvety texture. Shaded terraces accommodate lush landscaping, creating comfortable microclimatic conditions and evoking the feeling of an oasis in the desert.
The building is enveloped by a structural second-skin façade composed of bright ceramic lamellas. By varying the spacing between the lamellas, the system provides effective solar shading while giving the façade a dynamic and expressive appearance.