Reviving the Abbasid Identity with a Contemporary Vision: The Output of Architecture Engineering Students’ Projects

Fourth-stage students in the Department of Architecture Engineering at the University of Samarra presented their final projects for the academic year 2025/2026, which focused on the (Urban Development of the Al-Muallimin Area in Samarra City) under the supervision of Professor Dr. Maysoon Mohi Hilal and Architect Saleh Alwan Hassan.
The submitted projects were characterized by deep design visions based on three fundamental philosophies, which included the concept of (Urban Infill) to enhance the urban fabric, the axis of (Connecting Samarra’s Abbasid Landmarks) with the development area to revive historical identity, in addition to drawing inspiration from the spirit of the (Great Street – Al-Shari’ Al-A’zam) of the ancient city of Samarra and integrating it into the contemporary context.
Students worked in detail on dividing the study area, as each student specialized in designing a specific zone with an intensive focus on residential land use, by presenting integrated individual designs for residential buildings that included meticulous architectural and structural details for the apartments.
The presentation event witnessed a distinguished academic presence, with the head of the department, Dr. Mohammed Jamil, and Dr. Zakariya Hashim, who participated in discussing the design theses and evaluating the urban solutions presented by the students to bridge the authenticity of the past with the requirements of modern housing.