Recipients of Iraq's Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Award

Shereen Sherzad, Venus Akef, and Neda Al-Juboory were honored in the second annual Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Award. Established in 2012, the Tamayouz award is the first award of its kind in the Middle East.

As part of the The Iraqi Architecture Prize's Tamayouz Excellence Award, the Tamayouz award was created to highlight the achievements of Iraqi female architects, promote role models to empower young Iraqi women, and to also inspire skilled women to explore traditionally male-dominated professions — like architecture.

Learn more about the award recipients below.

Tamayouz Women of Achievements Award recipient: Shereen Sherzad

"The Judging Panel’s selection for the Tamayouz Women of Achievements Award is Shereen Sherzad: architect, academic and planner, she taught architecture at the Baghdad School of Architecture from 1980 until 2003. She was the Director of the Higher Commission for the Revitalisation of the Erbil Citadel from 2008-2010, the commission worked in collaboration with the UNESCO in preparation for the citadel master plan and earlier this year the Erbil Citadel project gained World Heritage Status. Sherzad is the author of four architecture textbooks, used as references and teaching materials in Iraqi and other Arab schools of Architecture."

The Prize for the Young Woman Architect – The Rising Star: Venus Akef

"Venus Akef is an award winning aspiring architect and academic at the University of Technology in Baghdad, focusing on architectural heritage and the cultural identity.  Currently, she is studying for a PhD at the University of Cincinnati."

Special Commemorative Award: Neda Al-Juboory

"This year the judging panel decided to make a Special Commemorative Award to Neda Al-Juboory, an outstanding community architect who engaged at local level and inspired all those who came in contact with her.  In 2007, Neda Al-Juboory, the Director of Urban Planning at the Ministry of Municipalities was killed in a car bomb explosion at her work place during a ceremony celebrating her outstanding achievements.  In memory of Neda Al-Juboory, this special award is presented to her family and friends."

This year's award jury panel featured: Angela Brady, Architect and Past President of the RIBA, Clare Devine, Director of the Architecture and Built Environment CABE at the Design Council, Jane Duncan, Architect and President Elect of the RIBA and Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect.