Remembering gifted architect Labid Al-Fakhri
2024 marks the inaugural year of the Labid Al-Fakhri Scholarship. This wonderful scholarship has been established by Mrs Patricia Al-Fakhri to commemorate the life of her beloved husband, and to give vital funding to students from the Middle East, who wish to follow their dreams and study architecture at the University of Liverpool.
Patricia kindly shared Labid’s life story with us, and why she has chosen to support the University of Liverpool, in his memory.
"My husband was born in Baghdad in 1941, and as he was gifted academically, his parents decided that Labid should complete his higher education in the United Kingdom. While he was completing his A Levels in Bath, he successfully applied to The University of Liverpool to study at the School of Architecture.
Labid came to Liverpool during the 1960s ‘Merseybeat’ era, and thoroughly appreciated his education at Liverpool, and enjoyed living in the city. He immersed himself in the local music scene and even took up playing the saxophone.
After his graduation from Liverpool in 1967, Labid worked for various architectural practices, however there was a noted slump in the construction industry. During the 1970s Labid was offered a wonderful position with a large British Architectural firm, in the United Arab Emirates - where the economy was growing as a result of the oil boom.
We settled very well into our new life in Dubai, and it was a great advantage both professionally and socially that Labid was an Arabic speaker. Despite living far from Liverpool Labid always took an interest in what was happening in the city, particularly the university, and was a big Liverpool FC fan.
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Image: Patricia & Labid Al-Fakhri
During 1979 Labid took the plunge and set up his own business with just a hand full of staff. By the time he retired in 2019 he had 35 employees who he considered as his second family. Patricia recalls: “it is a measure of the man that his staff, and all who knew him were deeply saddened when he retired.”
During 2008 or 2009 we were both thrilled to be invited to an alumni event in Dubai, with fellow Liverpool graduate, Maurice Flanagan (founder of Emirates Airlines). Maurice hosted the occasion and there were 61 attendees, with the guests of honour being Vice-Chancellor Newby and his wife. As an established artist, I was delighted to present the Newby's with a watercolour I had painted of Dubai, as a memento of the special occasion.
Sadly, Labid died in April 2020, before we had the opportunity to enjoy his retirement. Labid’s memory and reputation lives on in Dubai, in the many buildings he designed and supervised. It seemed the most natural thing to do, to set up a scholarship, to celebrate his life and passion for architecture. Labid wanted to give other gifted architects from Iraq the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and to study at Liverpool School of Architecture.”
Together we can make wonderful things happen!
If you’re inspired by Labid's story to remember the University of Liverpool in your Will, or make a gift in memory of someone close to you, please don’t hesitate to contact your friendly legacy officer, Carolyn Jones.