Earthen Education in Iraq

School reinterpreting vernacular architecture

Earthen Education in Iraq

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Main school library building and public plaza. The architectural language takes after local construction techniques and materials and adapts them for more durable future structures. The facilities in the school are designed to be accessed and used by the local community.

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    Next Generation Awards Lab - Lausanne 2022

    Noor Marji of the German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan presented with the Next Generation prize 4th prize for Middle East Africa for Earthen Education in Iraq - School reinterpreting vernacular architecture.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Aerial view of project, showcasing the modular buildings of the school complex in the Iraqi Marshes. The modules are adapted from the local arched structures traditionally built, using locally-sourced materials.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Interlocking adjacent structures, spaces are distinctly divided between service and served functions.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Open public spaces, gathering areas and landscaping take up the majority of the site.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Classroom interior, rammed earth material is showcased as daylight penetrates the space.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Library interior featuring an indoor courtyard, woven reed screens and floor-to-ceiling shelves.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Site plan.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Ground floor plan.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Modular unit adaptation from local arched structures simplifies construction. Shown in section A-A.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Used local materials and sustainable passive design strategies.

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    Earthen Education in Iraq

    Noor Marji: Masters Student - Urban & Regional Planning, Heriot-Watt University, Jordan.

  • Next generation Next Generation 4th prize 2020–2021 Middle East Africa

In the heart of Iraq’s Mesopotamian Marshes, where reeds sway between water and land, a new school rises from the soil itself. Built by local hands and guided by traditional knowledge, the structure offers more than classrooms — it offers dignity, rootedness, and renewal. In a region where heritage has too often been lost to conflict and neglect, this earthen campus reclaims cultural identity while giving children a future worth building.

By Noor Marji

Located in Basra, the school complex reinterprets the distinctive architectural language of the Iraqi Marshes through contemporary design. Vaulted classrooms, a library, music room, and multipurpose spaces are arranged around a public square, echoing vernacular forms and communal traditions. Constructed from locally sourced rammed earth with cement-stabilised walls and woven reed panels, the buildings naturally regulate temperature and light. The project showcases how regional bioclimatic knowledge can be paired with durable, low-cost materials to create comfortable, resilient educational environments.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Project authors

  • Earthen Education in Iraq
    Noor Marji

    Jordan

Project Summary

This educational and community facility in Iraq’s Mesopotamian Marshes combines sustainable design with cultural preservation. Located in Basra, the school reinterprets vernacular Iraqi architecture using locally sourced and climate-adaptive materials. Rammed earth walls are cast on-site using native soil, stabilised with 5–6% cement to create a hybrid material that is both affordable and durable. Reed—traditionally cultivated in the region—is used for columns, roof structures, and woven screens that allow daylight and ventilation while providing privacy and protection from rain. A concrete footing anchors the structure.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Aerial view of project, showcasing the modular buildings of the school complex in the Iraqi Marshes. The modules are adapted from the local arched structures traditionally built, using locally-sourced materials.

The campus is designed with a strong emphasis on public space: 70% of the site is dedicated to open areas, including parks and shaded seating. Only 30% of the area is built, creating a breathable campus that blends seamlessly into the marsh landscape. The school includes modular classrooms, a library, music and multipurpose rooms, and gathering spaces arranged around a central courtyard. It can accommodate around 350 students and host up to 1,000 community members for events and shared activities.

Entirely built by local labour, the project promotes knowledge transfer and skill development while enhancing community cohesion. It offers not just a place for learning, but a resilient, context-sensitive model of architecture that celebrates ecological stewardship, cultural identity, and public life in the heart of the marshes.

Project Author

  • Earthen Education in Iraq

    Noor Marji

    Masters Student - Urban & Regional Planning, German Jordanian University

    Jordan

Jury Appraisal

The Holcim Foundation Awards jury for Middle East Africa applauded this beautifully presented proposal for its context-sensitive program and its alignment with the cultural and geographical specificities of the region. The reinterpretation of Iraqi vernacular architecture was praised not only for its aesthetic quality but also for its contribution to cultural identity and community empowerment. The thoughtful selection of materials and construction strategies effectively enhance indoor comfort while creating an evocative atmosphere within the classrooms.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Interlocking adjacent structures, spaces are distinctly divided between service and served functions.

Project Updates

June 17, 2021 | Awards Announcement – Middle East & Africa | Zurich, Switzerland

Next Generation 4th prize to Low-carbon education project in Iraq

Next Generation Awards Lab - Lausanne 2022

Awarded the Holcim Foundation Awards Next Generation 4th Prize for Middle East & Africa, this project addresses the urgent need for educational infrastructure in Iraq’s UNESCO-listed Mesopotamian Marshlands. Architect Noor Marji (Amman, Jordan) proposes a modest yet climate-sensitive school complex in Basra, featuring classrooms, a library, music room, and multifunctional spaces. Built from local rammed earth stabilised with a small amount of cement and incorporating woven reed elements, the design offers durability, ventilation, and daylight. The modular arched structures echo traditional Iraqi architecture, with the jury commending its cultural sensitivity and innovative use of native materials.

Read full article

Statements on Sustainability

  • The project makes full use of available local resources: mud, reeds, and community labour. The main structural elements are rammed earth walls, cast on-site using local soil. A small proportion of cement is added to stabilise the mix, creating a hybrid material that is affordable, environmentally sustainable, and durable. The walls are topped with reed roofs, built from reed columns and woven screens that provide rain protection and privacy while allowing natural daylight into the classrooms.

    Passive design plays a major role in environmental sustainability. The modular units interlock to create shaded in-between spaces and feature a split roof with integrated wind-catchers that harness the prevailing northwesterly winds, promoting cross-ventilation and natural cooling.

  • The knowledge and skills of the local population are among the project's greatest assets. By embracing traditional building techniques and adapting them for modern construction, the project ensures this heritage is passed down to future generations. Built entirely by locals, the school is designed for simplicity and ease of assembly. It is not just a place for students, but a gathering space for all community members — a platform for shared learning and connection. Public areas, open venues, and communal squares foster self-expression and strengthen social ties, enabling the community to grow together.

  • Combining local craftsmanship with modernisation, the project helps refine traditional building practices and supports a more sustainable local economy. Its design draws from the architectural language of the marshes — simple, functional, and deeply connected to place. Constructed from materials already familiar to the region, the school is both context-sensitive and environmentally attuned. It offers a dignified upgrade from the area’s substandard “mud schools,” meeting environmental, economic, and social needs while enhancing the visual identity of the marshes through thoughtful design.

Related information

Related Information

Location

pin Basrah, Basra Governorate, Iraq

Basrah, Basra Governorate, Iraq

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Videos

Earthen Education in Iraq – Author Comment: Noor Marji

“My project uses local building materials and recognises people and their knowledge as the most valuable resources—celebrating the site’s unique natural and cultural heritage.”

Earthen Education in Iraq – Author Comment: Noor Marji

“My project uses local building materials and recognises people and their knowledge as the most valuable resources—celebrating the site’s unique natural and cultural heritage.”

Earthen Education in Iraq: Project Introduction

In Iraq’s Marshlands, local builders construct a school using earth and reed—reviving vernacular techniques while creating space for learning and community life.

Earthen Education in Iraq: Project Introduction

In Iraq’s Marshlands, local builders construct a school using earth and reed—reviving vernacular techniques while creating space for learning and community life.