When he returned to Baghdad in 1946, he was one of the first Iraqis to have obtained formal qualifications in architecture.[10] At that time, Iraq had no tradition of using architects; rather a continuous tradition of both domestic and public buildings relying on ancient building techniques was evident, but designers rarely attached their names to their designs. The concept of an architect was so foreign that the Arabic language had no word to describe the profession.[11] However, by the mid-20th century, Iraq was undergoing a period of 'modernisation' and many traditional houses were being demolished, paving the way for contemporary designs.[12]