Frank Lloyd Wright May 'Build' Baghdad

In 1957, Wright traveled to Iraq and produced an ambitious, multibuilding scheme for the city -- none of which was ever built.

1 minute read

August 21, 2003, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Where the International Style sought to master the environment, thrusting stark, high-tech structures into the landscape, Wright's style was intended to pay homage to pre-existing forms. Le Corbusier and the others planned to use concrete and glass to display the accomplishments of Western technology. Wright's design employed modern materials to show something of Iraq's ancient history. In Wright's plan, the spiral parking garage for the opera house was labeled a "ziggurat," a reference to the area's ancient coiled temples... In July 1958, Wright's plans fell victim to history. Faisal was assassinated in a military coup. All building projects came to a halt."

Thanks to ArchNewsNow.com

FULL STORY: Building for Democracy

Wednesday, October 12, 2005 in Wall St. Journal

Landscape Architecture Urban Development Middle East

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