Gulbenkian Grants for Architectural Projects in Iraq
(1956 – 1975)
From an early stage, the Board sought to ensure that the Gulbenkian Foundation’s relationship with the Iraqi people and the country’s authorities was based not solely on oil interests, but also on its universal humanitarian mission.
For the Gulbenkian Foundation’s President, José de Azeredo Perdigão, the institution’s standing in Iraq depended on tangible achievements on the ground across its various statutory fields. This was how the Foundation could demonstrate that it was spending a substantial share of the funds generated there by oil in the country itself.
The projects with an architectural dimension brought together in this chronology made a significant contribution to the development of Iraq’s infrastructure during a period spanning the end of the monarchy in 1958 and the successive republican regimes.
Most of this support was concentrated before 1972, when the Ba’ath Party government nationalised the Iraq Petroleum Company, in which the Foundation held a 5% stake through Partex.
This chronology does not cover other equally significant areas of activity, such as scholarships and funding for research and publishing. Conceived as an open-ended record, it will be updated as new information and previously unpublished documents come to light.
1956 – 1960
Hostel and Club, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Iraq for the construction of a hostel and club for women of all nationalities residing in Baghdad, in the total amount of US$ 2,800.
Al-Hikma University, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Al-Hikma University for the construction of new facilities for technical and scientific studies, in the amount of US$ 140,000.
Ramzi School, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Women’s Temperance and Social Welfare Society for the construction and equipping of a school dedicated to the education and rehabilitation of children with disabilities, in total amount of US$ 182,000.
Primary and Secondary Schools Taassissiyah, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Tassissia Private School Association for the construction and refurbishment of two schools, in total amount of US$ 196,000.
Armenian School, Zakho
Grant awarded to the Armenian Church Committee of Mosul for the construction of a school, in the total amount of US$ 16,000.
Al-Sha’ab Stadium, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Ministry of Youth of Iraq and the Municipality of Baghdad for the construction and fit out of the stadium, in the total amount of US$ 3,603,366.
National Gallery of Modern Art, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and Guidance and to the Municipality of Baghdad for the construction and fitting-out of the Gulbenkian Building, intended to house the National Gallery of Modern Art (later renamed the Centre for Modern Art), in the total amount of US$ 326,074.
Photo-Elasticity Laboratory, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, for the establishment of Photo-Elasticity Laboratory, in total amount of US$ 20,552.
1961 – 1970
Mobile Libraries
Funding granted to the Iraqi Ministry of Education for the purchase of three units for mobile libraries, in total amount of US$ 26,308.
Laboratories, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, for the equipping of five specialized laboratories, in total amount of US$ 327,600.
Auditorium, Baghdad
Funding granted to the Women’s Section of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society for the refurbishment and fitting out of an auditorium, in total amount of US$ 5,628.
Headquarters of the Iraqi Artists’ Society, Baghdad
Funding granted to the Iraqi Artists’ Society for the construction of its headquarters, in total amount of US$ 84,000.
Headquarters of the Iraqi Engineers’ Union, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Iraqi Engineers’ Union for the construction of its headquarters building, in total amount of US$ 210,000.
Cancer Research Centre, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Iraqi Cancer Society for the construction of a research centre, in the amount of US$ 280,000.
Institute of Fine Arts Building, Baghdad
Funding granted to the Iraqi Ministry of Education for the construction of the University of Baghdad’s institute building, in the amount of US$ 622,360.
Educational Television Centre Building, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Ministry of Education of Iraq for the installation and the technical equipment of the Educational Television Centre building, in the total amount of US$ 140,000.
Auditorium and Library of the Association of Iraqi Economists, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Association of Iraqi Economists for the construction of an auditorium and a library, in the total amount of US$ 54,320.
Ethnographic Museum, Baghdad
Funding granted to the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and Guidance for the conversion of the Costume Museum building into an Ethnographic Museum, in total amount of US$ 140,000.
College of Administration and Economics Building, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, for the construction of the College of Administration and Economics building, in total amount of US$ 280,000.
Kindergarten, Kirkuk
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Kirkuk for the construction of a kindergarten, in total amount of US$ 66,750.
Mobile Cinema-Libraries
Grants awarded to the Ministry of Culture and Guidance of Iraq for the acquisition of three Pilgrim-type mobile units for the mobile cinema-library project, in the total amount of US$ 61, 900.
Saint Raphael Hospital, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Saint Raphael Hospital for the fitting out of the building, in the amount US$ 53,192.
Cardiopulmonary Institute, Mosul
Grant awarded to the University of Mosul for the construction of a cardiopulmonary institute at the College of Medicine, in the amount of US$ 56,000.
School, Cultural Centre and Hostel, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Anti-Vagrancy Society for the construction of a school, cultural centre and a hostel for vagrants, in the amount of US$ 56,107.
Antiquities Museum, Nasiriyah
Grants awarded to the Directorate-General of Antiquities of Iraq for the construction and fit out of the museum building in Nasiriyah, in the total amount of US$ 183,400.
College of Medicine Building, Basrah
Grant awarded to the University of Basrah for the construction of the building of the College of Medicine, in the amount of US$ 280,000.
Accommodation, Kirkuk
Grant awarded to the Child Welfare Society in Kirkuk for the accommodation project, in the amount of US$ 56,000.
Armenian Kindergarten and Primary School, Mosul
Grant awarded to the President of the Diocesan Council of the Prelature of the Armenian Church for the construction of a kindergarten and a school, in the total amount of US$ 16,650.
Mobile X-Ray Units
Grants awarded to the Ministry of Health of Iraq for the acquisition of four mobile units for the mobile X-ray project, in the total amount of US$ 213,136.
Sports Centre and Children’s Public Library, Baghdad
Grants awarded the Municipality of Baghdad for the construction of a sports centre and a children’s public library, as part of the Youth Centre, and for the fitting out of the latter, at a total cost of US$ 411,600.
Headquarters of the Iraqi Medical Society, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Iraqi Medical Society for the construction of its headquarters building, in the total amount of US$ 84,000.
Hospital in Hatra, Mosul
Grants awarded the Municipality of Mosul for the construction of the hospital building, in the amount of US$ 69,566.
Kindergarten, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Chaldean Sisters) for the construction of a kindergarten, in the total amount of US$ 21,000.
Central Library of the General-Directorate of Awqaf, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Directorate-General of Awqaf (the entity responsible for the assets of a religious foundation) for the construction of the library building, in the total amount of US$ 159,600.
Emergency Hospital, Mosul
Grants awarded to the Municipality of Mosul for the construction and fit out of the hospital building, in the total amount of US$ 420,000.
Auditorium and Library at the Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Al-Mustansiriya University for the construction and fitting out of an auditorium and a library, in the total amount of US$ 406,000.
Oriental Institute Building, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Al-Hikma University for the construction of the building, in the total amount of US$ 178,000.
Auditorium of the College of Agriculture, Mosul
Grants awarded to the University of Mosul for the construction and fit out of an auditorium at College of Agriculture, in total amount of US$ 229,690.
Headquarters of the Iraqi Federation of Industries, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Iraqi Federation of Industries for the construction of its headquarters building, in the total amount of US$ 72,500.
Chest Diseases Clinic, Erbil (Arbil)
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Erbil for the construction of the clinic building, in the amount of US$ 33,600.
Maternity Hospital, Sulaymaniyah
Grant awarded to the Iraqi Ministry of Health to complete the construction of a maternity hospital in Sulaymaniyah, in the total amount of US$ 168,000.
Headquarters of the Oil Industry Employees’ and Workers’ Union, Baghdad
Funding granted to the Oil Industry Employees’ and Workers’ Union for the construction and fitting out of its headquarters building, in total amount of US$ 201,600.
Headquarters of the Iraqi Academy of Sciences, Baghdad
Funding granted to the Iraqi Academy of Sciences for the construction, fitting-out and external works on the academy’s headquarters building, in total amount of US$ 382,088.
Maternity Care Clinic, Mahanawiyah
Funding granted to the Municipality of Diwaniyah for the construction of a maternal care clinic in Mahanawiyah, in total amount of US$ 56,000.
Rustamiyah Military Academy, Baghdad
Funding provided to the Rustamiyah Military Academy for the construction and fitting out of the gymnasium, library, museum and audiovisual room, in total amount of US$ 980,000.
Scientific Research Centre, Baghdad
Support provided to the Iraqi Ministry of Planning and the Iraqi Higher Council for Research for the development of a Scientific Research Centre project, in total amount of US$ 322,000.
Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Baghdad
Support provided to the Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for the construction of a vocational rehabilitation centre, in total amount of US$ 280,000.
Physiotherapy Laboratory, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church for the establishment of a physiotherapy laboratory at Bar Hebraeus Hospital, in the total amount of US$ 56,000.
Cultural Centre, Ramadi
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Ramadi for the construction of the centre building, in the total amount of US$ 140,000.
Cancer Patients Convalescence Home, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Iraqi Cancer Society towards the construction of a convalescent home for cancer patients, in the total amount of US$ 168,000.
Antiquities Museum, Mosul
Grant awarded to the Directorate-General of Antiquities of Iraq for the construction of the museum building, in the total amount of US$ 280,000.
Library and Auditorium, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Iraqi Teachers’ Union for the construction of a library and an auditorium, in the total amount of US$ 140,000.
Child Welfare Centre and Clinic, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the University Women Graduates Association for the construction of a child welfare centre and clinic, in the total amount of US$ 67,200.
Training Centre Building, Najaf (Nejef)
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Karbala (Kerbela) for the construction of the building in Najaf, in the total amount of US$ 151,460.
Maternity Hospital, Karbala (Kerbela)
Grants awarded the Municipality of Karbala for the construction of the maternity hospital building, in the total amount of US$ 89,600.
Emergency Hospital, Basrah
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Basrah for the construction and fit out of the hospital building, in the total amount of US$ 386,400.
Jbaish Hospital, Dhi Qar
Grants awarded to the Municipality of Nasiriyah for the construction of the hospital building, in the total amount of US$ 131,040.
Girls Orphanage, Mosul
Grant awarded to the Islamic Philanthropic Society of Mosul, for the construction of the orphanage building, in the total amount of US$ 86,925.
Headquarters of the Agricultural Technical Association, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Agricultural Technical Association for the construction of its headquarters building, in the total amount of US$ 43,300.
Emergency Hospital, Kirkuk
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Kirkuk for the construction of the hospital building, in the total amount of US$ 280,000.
Bacteriology Laboratory, Basrah
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Basrah for the construction and equipping of the laboratory building, in the total amount of US$ 51,800.
Auditorium of the Iraqi Doctors’ Union, Baghdad
Support provided to the Iraqi Doctors’ Union for the construction of an auditorium to be used for scientific, medical and clinical conferences, in the total amount of US$ 84,000.
Iraqi National Library Building, Baghdad
Support provided to the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and Information for the construction of the National Library building, in total amount of US$ 1,540,000.
Emergency Hospital, Baghdad
Support provided to the Iraqi Ministry of Health for the construction of the hospital building, in total amount of US$ 290,912.
Orphanage, Duhok (Dohuk)
Support granted to the Fundraising Committee for Relief in Northern Iraq for the construction of the orphanage building, in total amount of US$ 163,000.
Orphanage, Erbil (Arbil)
Support granted to the Fundraising Committee for Relief in Northern Iraq for the construction of the orphanage building, in total amount of US$ 159,000.
Children’s Music School, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Ministry of Culture and Guidance for the construction of the school building, in the total amount of US$ 44,800.
Training Hospital, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Iraqi Red Crescent Society for the construction of a teaching hospital comprising nursing, first aid, civil defence and a blood bank, in the total amount of US$ 432,000.
Qasrê Model Village, Erbil (Arbil)
Grants awarded to the Ministry of Northern Affairs for the establishment of a pilot project for the construction of a model village at Qasrê, in the province of Erbil, in the total amount of US$ 213,222.
Emergency Hospital, Diwaniyah
Grant awarded to the Provincial Authority of Diwaniyah for the construction of the hospital building, in the total amount of US$ 307,295.
Youth Centre, Sulaymaniyah
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Sulaymaniyah for the construction of the centre building, in the total amount of US$ 253,760.
1971 – 1975
University Auditorium, Mosul
Grant awarded to the University of Mosul for the construction of an auditorium, in the total amount of US$ 280,000.
Headquarters of the Iraqi Journalists’ Union, Baghdad
Grant awarded to the Journalists’ Union for the construction of its headquarters building, in the total amount of US$ 91,200.
Maternity Wing at the Republican Hospital, Erbil (Arbil)
Grants awarded to the Provincial Authority of Erbil for the construction of the maternity wing at the Republican Hospital, in the total amount of US$ 213,000.
Headquarters of the Kurdish Scientific Academy, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Kurdish Scientific Academy for the construction of the headquarters building, in the total amount of US$ 168,550.
Headquarters of the Iraqi Geologists’ Union, Baghdad
Grants awarded to the Iraqi Geologists Union for the construction of the headquarters building, in the total amount of US$ 107,340.
Children’s Library, Kirkuk
Grant awarded to the Municipality of Kirkuk for the construction of the library building, in the total amount of US$ 121,600.
