Building three model schools in Al-Sadiq district, north Basra

The challenge

The requirement wasn't three buildings but three usable schools to a non-local design specification — architectural and structural details prepared to Chinese standards, where the local material equivalent won't do, plus conformity in HVAC and drainage, executed simultaneously across three separate sites on one schedule. The common failure on projects like this is handing over the shell and leaving systems to a follow-on contract, so the buildings sit unusable.

The approach

• 1

  We executed the reinforced concrete skeletons to approved structural drawings, with mix quality control and documented lab testing at every pour stage.

• 2

  We matched architectural details to the reference specification rather than settling for the locally available substitute; what wasn't available to the required specification was direct-imported with conformity inspection before shipment.

• 3

  We ran the three sites with parallel crews and a unified supply schedule, so no site stalled waiting on material allocated elsewhere.

• 4

  HVAC, heating and sanitation were executed within the same scope by our own mechanical team, not as follow-on works.

The outcome

All three schools were handed over in 2023, usable with systems complete. This qualified us to work with Chinese firms on two further model schools in Basra city centre, completed 2024.