Zaha Hadid Architects Unveil Progress on Baghdad’s Tallest Tower

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) headquarters, designed by the late Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid and London-based Patrick Schumacher, the principal architect of Zaha Hadid Architects, is set to be the tallest building in Baghdad and the second tallest in all of Iraq. The 170-metre-tall skyscraper was designed to blend innovation with the rich heritage of Baghdad echoing Zaha Hadid’s vision of the city’s resilience. 

Raised atop a large stepped podium that manages the main access to the bank, this monumental platform occupies the entire city block. With a series of interwoven landscaping and garden spaces, it seamlessly integrates the tower with its surroundings. 

Offset from the riverside, the façade offers a dynamic outer skeleton, framed by a twisting reinforced concrete exoskeleton reflecting the luminous ripples of the water of the adjacent Tigris River. Midway through the tower, these twists widen up right before they begin to taper upwards, adding a refining touch both aesthetically and functionally. 

The vertical layers of the exoskeleton extend into the podium, reinforcing the architectural coherence of the design and anchoring the towering building with its plinth creating a sense of continuum and flow. Narrow at its base, the design of the Central Bank of Iraq expands in the middle to optimise the layout, offering a total internal floor area of 90,000 square metres. 

Beyond its visual appeal, this exterior serves a functional purpose by providing shade for the fully glazed exterior, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow within the interior spaces. Another source of light inside is the grand central atrium, drawing in ample natural light deep into the building, while also gracefully revealing the river’s serene view. 

Initially commissioned in 2010, Zaha Hadid Architects continue to carry on the legacy of their founder by constructing the towering building in Baghdad, a symbol of the country’s future and aspirations. 

Photography Credit: Zaha Hadid Architects