| AdminHistory | Adnan was born in 1941 to a well-known middle-class Muslim family in Baghdad, Iraq.
He came to England in 1957 at the age of 16 to follow his dream of becoming an Architect.
He had a Baccalaureate qualification for entry level onto the course, which he found was not recognised at the time as being equivalent to the GCE/A level.
He spent the next few years acquiring the necessary qualifications to start a full-time course at Waltham Forest School of Architecture in East London.
At the Waltham Forest School of Architecture in East London he joined a diverse and vibrant group of students from all around the world and taught by
supportive lectures.
Adnan believed in the need to push boundaries as far as possible rather than choose safer options. For one of his projects Adnan presented a circular building
design. At a critique session it was suggested not to proceed because there could be problems with construction and to purse a more a more conventional design,
however he persevered and researched into ‘mullions’ to solve the problems. The head of the department a Mr Foye supported the design saying, having worked
himself in Greece where arches, domes are a feature to be seen everywhere and it was only natural to choose a curvilinear design and that he had his support and
encouragement.
After this project Adnan took a year out because a fellow student on the course had been diagnosed as having a TB gland which had infected 4 students and 1 of the
lectures. The college sent a tutor every week over 6 months period to the hospital to keep Adnan up to date with his studies. The following year he started afresh.
Towards the end of his studies at Waltham Forest School of Architecture Adnan became aware that the school was not recognised for the final RIBA qualification
at that time, he was recommended to apply to Canterbury School of Architecture.
Accepted by Canterbury to complete his studies, Adnan spent the next few years enjoying University life and working towards his final project of The York Conference Centre. After obtaining his degree in 1975 Adnan relocated to London. The recession in the 70’s meant that jobs were hard to come by for the newly qualified, taking various jobs and some unpaid to gain experience, his professional practice in 1978.
After graduation Adnan worked for Deekes Boussel, Arenco and Taylor Woodrow in London.
During the following years Adnan became interested in the study of Comparative Religions, Philosophy and Symbolism.
During a recession in the 80’s Adnan was approached by contacts in the Near and Middle East, about various potential projects. In Saudi Arabia, using fresh water from Aquafers beneath the city of Riyath to support a lakeside development of villas with a leisure complex and facilities. In Abu Dhabi, a Mosque applying Islamic pattern to the plans. In Jordan, the Gulf of Aqaba to be developed as a resort on the Red Sea. Adan worked towards these and other projects over the following years until he semi-retired in 2010.
Adnan passed away on 26th June 2014
Projects:
The York Conference Centre (student project)
Riyadh lakeside leisure complex
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