Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
in
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
Prof. Hassan Fathy
A Study of Design Principles & Methods
1928-1937
1937-1957
1957-1962
1962-1978
1980-1988
Early Work
Mansouria & Beyond
Years in Greece
Return to Egypt
Late Work
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11
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Conclusions
Vernacular Inuence & Meaning
Prof. Hassan Fathy was an exemplary practitioner
as well as teacher of vernacular architecture in
Egypt. With the exception of few projects where
he responded to differing requirements of context
and clients, he always adhered to the local building
traditions. He consciously chose to go back to
the rural areas, and analyzed and advanced the
traditional mud brick construction techniques that
had been applied there for centuries. In this sense,
his practice was an extension of the vernacular
architecture.
Beyond mere reinterpretation and reassembly of
elements his projects helped resurrect a new sense
of pride and ownership of Egyptian vernacular
architecture for the poor and the underprivileged folks
living in the rural areas.
Cultural Inuence & Basis
The cultural context of Prof. Hassan Fathys projects
always formed the bases of his designs. These
structures to house Muslim families, relationships,
activities and interactions were built as literal
reflections of social dynamics. Architectural elements
like walls, openings and screens were located
strategically to serve for cultural requirements on
physical, visual and auditory access or separation.
For example, many of his houses incorporated two
courtyards, one for private and one for public uses.
Inuence of Climate & Topography
Prof. Hassan Fathys design principles were
very well-thought out, meticulously detailed and
thoroughly structured. His professional studies,
research and analyses in the fields of human comfort,
indoor climatic controls, local building methods and
materials eventually culminated in his founding and
directing of Institute for Appropriate Technology in
Egypt.
Prof. Fathys principles were skillfully organized to
respond effectively to the of solar, wind and
humidity dynamics of primarily hot arid climates
effectively. His projects were streamlined efficiently
to shade, cool and vent spaces in rural desert
conditions.
Almost all of his projects were built on-grade without
basement levels primarily due to economic
reasons. A potion of his buildings were actually
elevated above street levels against flooding.
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Conclusions
Building Forms, Materials, Methods &
Sequence
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References
Al-Sayyad, N. (1997). Cairo, Egypt in Oliver, P.
(1997). Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture
of the World. Cambridge; New York, NY:
Cambridge University Press, Vol. 2: 1603-1604).
Al-Sayyad, N. (1997). Egyptian: Rural (Egypt; Nile)
in Oliver, P. (1997). Encyclopedia of Vernacular
Architecture of the World. Cambridge; New York,
NY: Cambridge University Press, Vol. 2: 1605.
ArchNet (1999). Aga Khan Hassan Fathy Archive.
Boston, MA: MIT School of Architecture and
Planning, Design Lab. (http://www.archnet.org)
El-Gohary, A. (1997). El-Hekr: (Egypt; Nile) in Oliver,
P. (1997). Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture
of the World. Cambridge; New York, NY:
Cambridge University Press, Vol. 2: 1605-1606.
Fathy, H. (1973). Architecture for the Poor: An
Experiment in Rural Egypt. Chicago, IL: The
University of Chicago Press.
Fathy, H. (1986). Natural Energy and Vernacular
Architecture: Principles and Examples with
Reference to Hot Arid climates. Chicago: The
University of Chicago Press.
Shabka, S. (1997). Fellahin (Egypt; Nile) in Oliver, P.
(1997). Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of
the World. Cambridge; New York, NY: Cambridge
University Press, Vol. 2: 1607-1608.
Steele, J. (1988). Hassan Fathy. London: Academy
Editions; New York: St. Martins Press.
Steele, J. (1989). The Hassan Fathy Collection: A
Catalogue of Visual Documents at The Aga Khan
Award for Architecture. Geneva, Switzerland: Aga
Khan Trust for Culture.
Steele, J. (1997). An Architecture for People: The
Complete Works of Hassan Fathy. New York:
Whitney Library of Design.
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