Reviving History Building the Future
From the ancient Shanasheel houses of Old Basra to critical infrastructure networks across southern Iraq — we restore what time has weathered and build what the future demands. Al Watad United brings master craftsmanship to every brick, beam, and blueprint.
About Al Watad United
Excellence
From the banks of Shatt al-Arab to Iraq's most treasured heritage sites — we are the builders who honor the past while engineering the future.
Founded in the heart of Basra, Al Watad United was born from a conviction that Iraq's architectural legacy deserves master builders, not mere contractors. What began as a regional construction firm has grown into one of southern Iraq's most trusted names in heritage restoration and infrastructure — entrusted by UNESCO, the European Union, and local governorates alike with projects of national significance.
Our engineers and craftsmen have honed their skills on some of Iraq's most demanding restoration projects — from crumbling Shanasheel houses along the winding lanes of Old Basra to complex urban infrastructure powering entire districts. Every project bears our signature: precision engineering anchored in deep respect for heritage.
Our Vision
To stand as Iraq's foremost authority in heritage restoration and construction — a name synonymous with excellence, where every restored building becomes a living monument to our nation's enduring cultural identity.
Our Mission
To deliver construction and restoration services of uncompromising quality — blending time-honored craftsmanship with modern engineering discipline, safeguarding Iraq's architectural heritage to UNESCO and ICOMOS standards.
Our Values
Zero-compromise safety culture backed by ISO 45001:2018 certification.
We treat timelines as promises. On-time delivery, every time.
The same exacting standards whether restoring a 200-year-old house or building a power line.
We manage every resource as if it were our own, delivering maximum impact.
Our Services
From the delicate art of heritage restoration to modern infrastructure — our services span the full spectrum of construction excellence, each executed with unwavering commitment to quality.
Heritage Building
Restoration & Preservation
Our flagship discipline: returning Iraq's most treasured buildings to their original grandeur using ICOMOS-certified methodologies. We employ advanced 3D photogrammetry to map every crack, design restoration plans that respect each building's historical narrative, and execute with original-matching materials — hand-selected brick, lime mortar, carved teak, and traditional plasterwork — installed by master craftsmen trained in centuries-old techniques.
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Architectural Surveys
Precision 3D laser scanning, photogrammetric modeling, and comprehensive damage assessment for heritage structures. Our survey data generates detailed digital twins accurate to the millimeter.
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Civil Construction
Construction of commercial buildings, residential complexes, and institutional structures. Our civil engineers bring 15+ years of expertise in reinforced concrete, structural steel, and masonry.
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Canal & River Protection
Bank stabilization, canal dredging, and waterway rehabilitation. Our Al-Ashar Canal project with UNESCO restored a historic waterway central to Old Basra's cultural identity.
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Infrastructure Projects
End-to-end infrastructure development including utility networks, drainage systems, and urban works. Large-scale projects delivered for Basra Governorate with meticulous management.
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Water & Sewage
Design and construction of potable water distribution, wastewater systems, and treatment facilities. Full compliance with Iraqi environmental standards for lasting performance.
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Roads & Traffic
Urban road construction, traffic management systems, and arterial connectivity projects. We build the transport arteries that keep southern Iraq's cities moving.
Restoration Methodology
Heritage restoration is not construction — it is a discipline unto itself. Each step in our methodology is informed by centuries of architectural tradition, validated by international scientific standards, and refined through years of hands-on experience in Old Basra's most challenging sites.
Within the ancient lanes of Old Basra, our team has restored houses that once hosted merchants of the Ottoman silk trade, walls that survived centuries of river floods, and courtyards where families gathered for generations. Each project demanded intimate knowledge of original building materials — from handmade fired brick to lime-based mortars — and the patience to let heritage speak before we intervene. This is restoration at the highest international standard, validated by UNESCO and funded by the European Union.
Survey & Documentation
Before a single stone is touched, our team deploys advanced 3D laser scanning and photogrammetric technology to create a precise digital twin of the structure. Every crack, every subsidence, every decorative detail is catalogued — producing a millimeter-accurate baseline from which all restoration decisions flow.
Restoration Planning
Our conservation architects design bespoke restoration blueprints adhering to ICOMOS Venice Charter principles. Each plan respects the building's unique historical narrative — its era, its architectural style, and the community that once lived within its walls — ensuring that restoration enhances rather than erases the story embedded in the structure.
Structural Analysis
Rigorous material testing and structural assessment reveal the true condition of century-old foundations, walls, and load-bearing elements. We analyze brick compressive strength, mortar composition, and timber integrity to determine precisely where original materials can be preserved and where careful reinforcement is needed.
Execution
Master craftsmen — trained in traditional Iraqi building techniques passed down through generations — execute the restoration using original-matching materials: hand-fired brick from local kilns, lime mortar mixed to historic recipes, carved teak for Shanasheel balconies, and traditional gypsum plasterwork for interior ornamentation.
Quality & Safety Management
ISO 45001:2018-certified safety protocols govern every workday. Our quality team conducts daily inspections, maintains continuous photographic documentation, and generates progress reports that keep all stakeholders — from UNESCO supervisors to local heritage authorities — fully informed at every stage.
Delivery & Digital Documentation
Upon completion, we produce comprehensive before-and-after archives, 3D digital models, and detailed maintenance manuals. We train local caretakers in ongoing preservation techniques — ensuring that our restoration work endures not for years, but for generations to come.
Heritage Work Specialization
Restoring a 200-year-old Shanasheel house is fundamentally different from constructing a new building. The materials are aged and irreplaceable. The techniques are centuries old. The margin for error is zero. Our team's deep knowledge of traditional Iraqi construction — from the chemistry of Ottoman-era lime mortars to the joinery techniques of Basran teak craftsmen — is what separates authentic restoration from mere renovation. Every intervention we make is reversible, minimal, and respectful of the building's original architectural identity, in strict adherence to ICOMOS international conservation principles.
Heritage Projects
Each project tells a story of transformation — from crumbling walls to restored grandeur. Executed in partnership with UNESCO, the European Union, and Iraqi governorates.
Restoration of Three Houses in Old Basra
Three deteriorating Shanasheel houses painstakingly returned to Ottoman-era splendor — preserving original brickwork, carved teak balconies, and intricate plaster arabesque details.
Rehabilitation of Eight Houses in Old Basra
Our largest single restoration effort — eight heritage houses simultaneously rehabilitated, returning families to beautifully restored homes honoring their architectural lineage.
Al-Ashar Canal Rehabilitation — Phase 1 + 2
Two-phase rehabilitation of Old Basra's iconic canal — bank stabilization, water treatment infrastructure, and restoration of canal-side heritage structures.
Mudhi Palace Rehabilitation — Zubayr, Basra
A landmark restoration of one of Basra's most significant historical palaces — comprehensive structural reinforcement, facade restoration, and conservation of ornamental plasterwork.
Mudhif Palace — Before & After
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Infrastructure & Electrical Projects
Electrical Network — Imam Al-Sadiq District
1.94B IQD
Electrical Grid — Al-Qibla District
1.75B IQD
Airport Electrical — 33kV Line
2.45B IQD
Cadastre Maps Update — Basra
442.5M IQDCurrent Project
Rehabilitation of Basra Culture & Arts Palace
A major heritage rehabilitation project to restore the iconic Culture and Arts Palace in the heart of Basra — one of the city's most significant cultural landmarks. The palace, which has served as a hub for art exhibitions, theatrical performances, and cultural heritage events, is being comprehensively restored to preserve its architectural character and expand its role as Basra's premier cultural venue.
Before & After Transformations
From ruin to glory — witness the dramatic rebirth of Old Basra's architectural treasures. Each before-and-after reveals not just physical restoration, but the revival of a community's cultural soul.
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Drag the slider to reveal each transformation. Every image tells the story of a building rescued from the edge of collapse and returned to its former magnificence — carried out in Old Basra under UNESCO supervision with European Union funding. From Ruin to Glory.
Organizational Structure
Behind every successful restoration and infrastructure project stands a carefully structured team — from executive leadership and contract management to specialized civil, electrical, and telecommunications engineers. Each unit operates with military precision, yet collaborates with the flexibility that heritage work demands.
Executive Director
Strategic vision & stakeholder relationsContracts Manager
Bidding, procurement & contract complianceProjects Manager
Timelines, resources & delivery oversightAdministrative Unit
HR, logistics & operational supportDocumentation Unit
Records, archiving & compliance trackingAccounting Unit
Financial reporting & cost controlChief Engineer
Technical leadership & quality assuranceCivil Engineers
Structural & heritage restorationInfrastructure Engineers
Roads, water & utility networksElectrical Engineers
Power grids & distribution systemsTelecom Engineers
Tower construction & network infrastructureCertifications & Recognition
Operational Certifications
Our credentials speak to a decade of earned trust. Al Watad United maintains a comprehensive portfolio of governmental registrations, regulatory clearances, and international quality certifications — each one a milestone in our journey from regional contractor to nationally recognized heritage restoration authority.
Letters of Appreciation
The truest measure of a contractor's character is found in what clients say after the work is done. Al Watad United has been honored with formal letters of appreciation from every major entity we've served — recognition of our consistent quality, unwavering safety commitment, and the spirit of genuine partnership we bring to every site.
Decent Work Principles
Workforce Training
Providing practical training for youth within job sites to equip them with the skills required to enter the labor market.
Heritage Value Respect
Preserving the heritage and architectural dimension of historical buildings, handling original materials with care to protect cultural identity.
Legal Compliance
Adhering to official labor authority requirements and International Labour Organization standards when executing projects in Iraq.
Insurance Coverage
Registering workers and providing valid insurance coverage during the work period and in emergency situations.
Contact Us
Whether you seek to restore a treasured heritage building, develop critical infrastructure, or bring a visionary construction project to life — our team of engineers and master craftsmen is ready to turn your ambition into lasting reality.
Our Location
Iraq — Basra — Sanaa District
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