TOWARD A NEW KURDISH CRITICAL BIOMORPHIC REGIONALISM: A DESIGN FOR NATIONAL TOURISM CENTER OF KURDISTAN IN CHICAGO, IL

Author

Gaznag Sedeeq Othman, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

12-1-2017

Degree Name

Master of Architecture

Department

Architecture

First Advisor

Anz, Craig

Abstract

The major purpose of this thesis is to present a proposal for a Kurdish Tourism Center complex designed on the present site of two of Chicago’s most famous parks. These parks are the Washington Park and the Jackson Park located near the center of this famous city. Moreover, this thesis attempts to offer some new ideas about Kurdish architecture which blend ideas of bio morphism and critical regionalism into the overall design of Center Complex. Thus, much of this thesis offers a discussion of issues related to trying to define Kurdish identity in the 21st century and seeks to include these ideas into the architectural designs of the projects. For example, Kurdish people, by and large, love and treasure the many famous Kurdish poets who have written throughout the centuries until the present day. Overall, Kurdish people love the outdoors and nature. They love flowing water falls and often escape to the mountains with their families to enjoy picnics and have celebrations. Moreover, Kurdish people love music and they love to dance. These are just some of the things that have been translated from ideas into architectural designs for this project. In addition, the Kurds are one of the largest populations of “ethnic” people’s in the world that do not have their own recognized country or nation. Consequently, much of Kurdish identity is about this struggle for freedom and autonomy and the desire to have a country they can call their own. These themes are explored in both the architectural designs for this project and in the accompanying “programing” that might be presented and housed at a Kurdish Tourism/Cultural Center Complex in Chicago, Illinois.