HASSAN FATHY

(1900-1989)

Introduction
- Graduated from King Fuad University (now Cairo University) in 1926
- 1926-30 : Engineer in General Administration of Schools affiliated to local council
- 1930-46 : Instructor at Faculty of Fine Arts
- 1949-52 : Director of Educational Buildings Department of Ministry of Education
- 1953-late 50s : H.O.D. (Faculty of Fine Arts of Cairo University)

Egyptian Architect: One of the most important architects of 20th century, which had
widespread influence on Architecture of Islamic world and whose ideas extended to influence
the western world. He was a architectural craftsman with an artistic eye for Form, Balance &
Harmony.

Aspects affected his Design Approach

- Climatic Conditions
- Public Health Considerations
- Ancient Craft skills

Area of Concern
1. Concern for Poor : To provide Housing for poor in developing nations
2. To improve the economy & standard of living in rural areas
3. Identity : To create an indigenous environment at a minimal cost
4. To promote appropriate building technology in Egypt
5. Self-help : Training the local people to make their own materials & buildings

Approach
1. Vernacular Architecture to answer the specific environment issues of particular regions
2. Recreation of forms true to region and method of construction
3. Follow the architecture rooted in its location and culture of region
4. Re-establish the use of Mud bricks & design methods of Traditional Architecture
5. Structural massing at minimal cost by using local materials & innovative building
techniques such as use of dense brick walls, dome shape ceiling and courtyards for
Passive Cooling
Architectural Characteristics and Construction Methods
His works was evolving, polishing & glazing of work of art which provides Quaint (Old
fashioned but attractive & pleasing) rustic scenes.
- Simplicity in Architectural Character, but still attractive & pleasing
- Complete simplicity of facades & learned casualness of layouts
- Extreme simplicity of materials & construction system in his works lead architecture not
to rely on colour or surface texture for effect & appearance
- Variation in textural variations with help of carefully crafted brick facades.
- Imposed more importance on Volumes, Forms & Fenestrations to achieve overall
aesthetic effect
- Semi-monochromatic treatment of exteriors & interiors was a conscious choice to blend
better with surroundings & highlight the sense of overall harmony of colours or
contrasting materials
- Formwork free construction for Domes, Vaults & Arches
- Dense Brick walls with Stone, Mud & Mud Bricks
- Revitalised Important elements which were practical as well as decorative such as Malkaf
(Wind catcher), Mashrabiya (Wooden Latice work screen) & Shukshaykha (Lantern
Dome)

New Paradigms to Architecture

1. Cultural Authenticity
It is the main theme of his architectural message. He rejected architecture which is not
indigenous and is not rooted in its location & culture. Truest expression of culture is
expresses through vernacular architecture of society. He continuously opposed to
International style and phenomenon of Universality in Architecture. He was strongly against
western techniques and materials like reinforced concrete & steel which he found
inappropriate for Egypt’s climate and craftsmen’s limited skills.

2. Responsive Architecture
- Architecture responsive to psychological, cultural and physical or physiological needs.
- Rejected an imported internationalism, rooted in common technology than Humanism.
- Opposed the elements of internationalism which try to unify the world in a common
pattern of living derived from common technology.
- Living culture open to world to borrow new thing & invent new things, but suitable to be
accepted such as Thermal Efficiency, Cost Efficient, Energy Efficient, Suitable Materials
and Appropriate Technology.
3. Participatory Nature of Design Process
- Encouraged self-help
- Promoted user participation in design
- Inhabitant to express their wishes for layouts of home
- Using courtyard for couple of days for observing activities & movement pattern to
finalise layout