Culture and architecture in turmoil: reflections on home architecture in contemporary Iraq

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to expose the direct and indirect impacts of changing culture and society principles on the built environment, architectural scene and practice. Studying culture-architecture forceful formula in present-day Iraq, as not previously discussed, reveals how cultural shift affects the public image of architectural form, uses and activity system, thus how latter issues highlight or predict society deterioration or collapse. Design/methodology/approach Comparing and analysing past and contemporary works, highlighting strange values emerged later, personal survey and observing house forms, in-depth interviews, photos and architectural drawings are a set of methodological tools used in approaching research main objective. Findings Findings include two mutual systematic approaches. The first is to define, acknowledge and understand previous criteria, while the second is to disclose responsible authorities and institutions and their role in addition to necessary procedures to correct or minimize the impact of various changes on the contemporary architectural situation. Originality/value Contemporary Iraqi society and culture have been dealt with as distorted and destructive, where various unacceptable values describe its current image compared to the noble form of the inherited. As a true expression and a visible manifestation of culture with which it interacts, degraded architecture and urbanism in contemporary Iraq provide an accurate picture of the current state of society, its values, principles and beliefs.