In line with the University of Baghdad’s and the College of Engineering’s commitment to supporting rigorous scientific research and enhancing the presence of academic output in international databases, Assistant Professor Dr. Fawzia Erhaim Hussein, Assistant Professor Dr. Osama Abdulmunim Al-Tamimi, and Assistant Lecturer Aya Furat Mohammed, faculty members in the Department of Architecture at the College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, have published a scientific research paper in the international journal PLOS ONE, entitled “Breakthrough in Architecture – Contemporary Iraqi Architecture Case Study.”

The study examined the concept of Architectural Breakthrough and its role in achieving innovation and strengthening place identity in contemporary Iraqi architecture after 2003. The study was based on four main indicators: design innovation; environmental sustainability and technological integration; interaction with the local context and cultural identity; and functional and spatial quality. The analytical framework was applied to three examples of contemporary Iraqi architecture.

The findings demonstrated that an architectural breakthrough is not limited to formal or aesthetic distinction, but is achieved through the integration of design, technological, functional, and cultural dimensions. The study emphasized the importance of utilizing local identity as a starting point for generating architectural ideas, as well as encouraging experimentation and overcoming institutional barriers in ways that contribute to fostering innovation and development in contemporary Iraqi architecture.

It is worth noting that PLOS ONE is an international, multidisciplinary scientific journal indexed in the Scopus database, reflecting the significance of the published research and its presence within the global academic community.

To access the full research paper, please click the following link:
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0355155