Architectural Solutions
for Social Equity.
Exploring Hassan Fathy's Approach to Architecture for the Poor
Quotable quotes
"Architecture is music frozen in place. And music is architecture frozen in
time."
"A house where the children play happily is a happy state."
"An architect should live in the spaces he has created. If he is happy, he
deserves credit. If he is unhappy, then he is to be discredited."
Table of Contents.
Introduction Background
We will talk about this We will talk about this
first. second.
Work Style Material Philosophy
Then, we will talk about After that we will talk
this. about this.
Influence in Current
Case Studies
Architecture
Legacy and Continued
Lessons Learned
Impact
Architectural Solutions for
Social Equity
Hassan Fathy
● Born in 1900 in Alexandria, Egypt
● Graduated in 1926 from Cairo University; studied agriculture, then switched
to architecture
● Early 1940s rural hospitals project focused on Nubian construction
techniques he discovered in Upper Egypt using natural materials and
housing styles
● Years of distinction with projects ranging from community housing projects,
temporary housing for refugees, and the Nasser Mausoleum
● Died in 1989
Overview of the presentation:
Exploring Hassan Fathy's work style,
Material philosophy,
and his influence on contemporary architecture
Understanding philosophy
Understanding Hassan Fathy's Architectural Philosophy:
•Provide insights into Fathy's visionary approach to architecture, rooted in a deep understanding of vernacular traditions, socio-
economic realities, and environmental stewardship.
•Highlight key principles espoused in "Architecture for the Poor," such as the use of local materials, participatory design processes,
and human-scale architecture.
•Illustrate Fathy's commitment to empowering marginalized communities through architecture as a tool for social justice and cultural
preservation.
Every project he ever undertook bore the distinct mark of a perfectionist, and he was someone
who thoughtfully considered the human beings who would be living and/or working in the spaces
he designed.
Fathy was always a gracious person, opening his home each afternoon to visitors, including
friends, families, neighbors, and strangers who were admirers. The food he served his guests was
always chosen with care, too. He makes us remember that homes are meant to be happy centers
for hospitality.
We loved his goals of making comfortable, low-cost housing with natural building materials. His
mud brick homes were just the ticket to meet the climate and economic needs of rural
communities, but these are building styles and techniques that should inspire all sustainable
building worldwide.
The Creative Process Through Fathy's Lens:
•Explore Fathy's unique work process, characterized by
a holistic understanding of site context, climate
responsiveness, and user needs.
•Delve into the architect's emphasis on collaboration
and co-creation, where architects, craftsmen, and
inhabitants work together to realize shared visions.
•Showcase examples of Fathy's design methodologies,
from hand-drawn sketches to physical prototypes,
revealing his intuitive and iterative approach to design
refinement.
Gouache of New Gourna houses, 1946
Background
Brief introduction to Hassan Fathy: Pioneering Egyptian architect
renowned for his work in sustainable and affordable housing.
Contextualizing the need for architecture that addresses the
needs of underserved communities.
Work Style
Fathy's approach to architecture: Emphasis on participatory
design processes involving communities.
Integration of traditional building techniques and vernacular
architecture into contemporary designs.
Human-centric design principles: Prioritizing the well-being and
needs of inhabitants in all stages of design and construction.
Material Philosophy
Sustainable materials: Fathy's
preference for locally sourced
and environmentally friendly
materials such as mud brick,
stone, and timber.
Thermal comfort and climate
responsiveness: Utilization of
materials and design strategies
to ensure comfortable living
environments in diverse
climates.
Durability and adaptability:
Selection of materials that are
resilient and require minimal
maintenance, contributing to
the longevity of structures.
Influence in Current
Architecture
Sustainable design trends:
Fathy's emphasis on eco-friendly
materials and passive design
strategies align with
contemporary sustainability
goals.
Socially conscious architecture:
Architects today are increasingly
adopting Fathy's participatory
approach and focusing on
designing for marginalized
communities.
Preservation of cultural heritage:
Fathy's work inspires architects
Hassan Fathy, an Egyptian architect from 1900-1989, shifted from neoclassical teachings to Ancient
to integrate traditional
Egyptian architecture. He focused on vernacular architecture and used mud brick for large constructions in
architectural elements and
rural poverty. Fathy aimed to rekindle people's faith in their culture by using traditional construction
techniques into modern designs
techniques and local materials. His projects often served peasants, reproducing their traditions and rites,
while preserving cultural identity.
despite potential paternalism.
Case Study
With the New Baris project, Hassan Fathy
experimented for a new community a project
combining urban planning, social organization,
natural passive cooling and vernacular
architecture.
Case study :
Hassan Fathy, Building in the
Desert in New Baris
New Baris
Hassan Fathy
New Baris, Egypt
24° 41′ 36″ N, 30° 35′ 45″ E
1967
● With the New Baris project, Hassan Fathy experimented for a new community a project combining urban planning,
● Social organization,
● Natural passive cooling and
● Vernacular architecture.
● He was confronted very early with rural poverty, a population for whom he began to build large constructions in an affordable and local medium, mud
brick.
● Fathy has wanted to use the architectural language of his country to rekindle the people’s faith in their culture. He drew from traditional construction
techniques, reused traditional forms of simple rural dwellings or from his research, and used local materials such as mud. However, there is also a
strong community and social dimension to Hassan Fathy’s projects. When he builds it is often for peasants, reproducing their traditions and rites at the
risk of sometimes falling into a kind of paternalism. In short, he builds modest and basic constructions for traditional Arab communities.
Building a new community in the desert
Hassan Fathy, 20 years after the success of New Gourna, was tasked
with a similar project in the desert. In 1963, a large water source was
discovered, capable of irrigating 1000 acres of land. The organization
decided to establish a farming community, but faced challenges in
forming a community. Fathy built a community with limited data,
creating a link between inhabitants and creating different spaces
within the micro-society.
A global natural cooling strategy
In 1963, Hassan Fathy studied
demographic, geographic, and
climatic surveys, including the
Bagawat Necropolis and Kharga
villages. He developed a natural
ventilation system for New Baris, an
agricultural village in the desert. Clay
was used as a cost-effective material
and thermal mass, allowing
temperature differentials between
the outside and inside. The village's
plan was drawn along a north-south
axis, utilizing the shadows of
buildings. Dwellings had continuous
ventilation systems, integrating
architectural elements like
Taktaboosh, Rasha/Taka, and
Shuksheika. These passive ventilation
systems were part of a global
strategy for ventilation and
humidification.
As an architect, he was influenced the most by the monumental architecture in the
Pharaonic period also, strongly influenced intellectually by the concept of the vernacular
arch. of the Nubians.
Hassan Fathy's main purpose was housing the poor in developing nations by applying the
concept he was strongly influenced by which is the vernacular architecture of the Nubians
which opened up his mind to discover the true essence of the heritage and being inspired
by the ancestor's work.
His goal was to combine between a comfy descent housing & being poor, because after all,
home is where the person should feel comfy at ease serene and cool no matter what was
the temperature and the circumstances outside.
"Matchbox houses" were too hot in the
summer and too cold in winter.
• Nubian craftsmen were masters at
constructing domed and vaulted roofs of
mud brick which they also used for the
walls.
Hassan Fathy developed his own ideas, inculcating traditional Arab styles like
the malkhaf (wind catcher), the shukshaykha (lantern dome) and the
mashrabeya (wooden lattice screens) which could be combined with the mud-
brick construction
He designed complete communities including utilities and services, country
retreats, and special projects and homes.
Hassan Fathy had already worked for decades in his beloved Egypt before he
designed and built for the homeless community of Gourna, Upper Egypt.
which attracted international acclaim.
Legacy and Continued Impact
Legacy and Continued Impact of Hassan Fathy on
Current Architecture Styles Values to Learn as a Modern Architecture Firm
Hassan Fathy's legacy in architecture remains profound, As a modern architecture firm, there are valuable lessons to
influencing current architectural styles in several ways: learn from Hassan Fathy's legacy:
1.Sustainable Design Principles: Fathy's emphasis on 1.Sustainability: Embrace sustainable design practices that
sustainable design principles, including the use of locally prioritize environmental stewardship and minimize the
sourced materials, passive cooling techniques, and ecological footprint of architectural projects.
community engagement, continues to inspire architects 2.Cultural Sensitivity: Respect and integrate local cultural
seeking to create environmentally responsible structures. traditions and contexts into designs, fostering a sense of
2.Integration of Vernacular Elements: Fathy's incorporation place and identity within the built environment.
of vernacular architectural elements into modern designs 3.Community Engagement: Engage with communities
has influenced architects globally, encouraging them to throughout the design process, ensuring that projects are
draw upon local traditions and cultural contexts to enrich responsive to their needs and aspirations.
their projects. 4.Innovation: Explore innovative construction techniques
3.Human-Centered Approach: Fathy's human-centered and materials to push the boundaries of architectural
approach, which prioritized the needs and aspirations of possibilities while maintaining a commitment to social and
communities, serves as a reminder to architects today to environmental responsibility.
design with empathy and inclusivity, fostering spaces that
enhance the quality of life for their occupants.
4.Innovative Construction Techniques: Fathy's exploration
of innovative construction techniques, such as mud brick Inspiring Hassan Fathy as Young Architects
construction and domed roofs, has sparked interest in 1.Pushing BoundariesAddressing Contemporary
alternative building methods that minimize environmental Challenges
impact and promote cultural sustainability. 2.Continuing Community Engagement
3. Embracing Cultural Diversity
Conclusion
Vernacular architecture is a wise thought of generation molded by culture and region in which it flourishes. It is region specific
and culture specific. Vernacular design is seen as a limitation imposed by the guide lines of region and culture or is it learning to
live with these limitation by utilization of its potentials to the maximum. Therefore, vernacular architecture is a result of factor that
frame it.
