Hassan Fathy was a proud Egyptian citizen, born in Alexandria in 1900 (Steele 1997). He was an award winning architect and one that had a great impact on architecture around the world.
In his designs we see firmness, commodity and delight and within these three aspects of design there are six general principles which guided Fathy throughout his career; the primacy of human values in architecture; the importance of universal rather than limited approach; use of appropriate technology; need for socially oriented co-operative construction techniques; essential roll of tradition; re-establishment of national cultural pride through the act of building (Steele 1997).
Environmental Firmness
When Hassan Fathy was practicing in Egypt there were a lot of constraints with which he had to work with. Firstly he was building for people from lower and upper class. At time of the Akil Sami house construction there was a governmental ban on mud brick, Fathy started to use limestone (Steele 1997). In ‘An architecture for people’ Fathy says that “technology must be applied in a way appropriate to both its users and its context”. This limestone is an idea material for the climate. Because of its high thermal mass, it takes all day to heat up keeping it cool inside throughout the day. At night the limestone slowly releases the stored heat throughout cool Egyptian nights.
Figure 1 South-West Facade
The positioning of the building is also important in his design. He placed the Sami house facing north-east (in the plans), so that the courtyard would get sunlight most of the day and the bedroom would avoid getting hit by the hot morning sun. In the afternoon the kitchen and dining area where families would be preparing dinner would be cool as the sun would be on the other side of the house.
Figure 2 Sun Path Diagram
Human commodity
Sami Akil house is designed with communal space in mind. The rooms all flow without any harsh enclosures. Walking around the house, views open and close, framing partitions of light and shadow.
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Figure 3 Floor Plan
The Ka'a
For instance the ka’a (the main room), a central domed space (dorka’a) and flanked with radiating alcoves (iwans) has many openings. It is a very adaptable space that is capable of supporting dinning, lounging, studying and sleeping (Rastorfer 1985).
Figure 4 Ka'a and bedroom perspective
The ka’a is the most architecturally complex room in his designs and “is always protected from the building’s threshold by a domed entry hall or corridor” (Rastorfer 1985).
Figure 5 Ka'a Floor Plan
The Roof
The roof is another important space in his building design. It is an open space that can be slept on and can be used for entertaining. It always has independent stairways and upper level doors. The roof not only gives the house more living area but is makes the house a “surmountable sculptural object” (Rastorfer 1985).
Figure 6 Site Plan
The Courtyard
Another space that Fathy took time and consideration in designing is the courtyard. It plays a major role in the overall design of the house. In the Sami house the courtyard opens to the south-west. The courtyard functions as a temperature regulator for the surrounding rooms. This space also acts as an independent space to the rest of the house, acting as a little peaceful oasis in the African heat. To increase the delight of the space Fathy usually add fountains or loggia to his courtyards. Fathy designed it to have a controlled visual access to the sky (Rastorfer 1985).
Figure 7 Courtyard
Delightful experience
Fathy’s attention to detail might be the reason for his successful and near perfect execution. He spent a large amount of time planning and detailing his designs.
Figure 8 Section A1
Figure 9 South-West Elevation
Fathy admired the ancient Egyptian architecture, more precisely the Pharaonic architecture. This type of architecture uses the “physique of the ideal man”, factoring the number pi (3.14…) and the number phi (1.61…) the golden number (Rastorfer 1985). Fathy used this method in planning his rooms, height of walls, doors and depth of squinch zones.
Figure 10 Sami House sketch
Hassan Fathy believed that using quantifiable geometry would lift matter to a spiritual dimension. He saw his buildings not just as a mass of blocks and wood, but as a creation that would re-radiate the positive energy that he put into it.
The material Fathy used were very earth toned and traditional. He always strived for technological improvements and yet he kept true to tradition and authentic style. In his design he incorporated custom made elaborate wooden furniture and architectural details and for this he hired Hassan al-Naggar, a very talented carpenter.
The feeling you would get entering the Sami house, I would imagine, would be very pleasing. The high ceiling, thick walls and numerous openings would make the spaces cool and enjoyable. The courtyard is where I would spend most my time relaxing in the lacy sunlight.
Chosen Site Analysis
Site: Small section of Kulgun Park in Kelvin Grove.
Figure 11 Site Analysis with Cabin Diagram
The chosen site has many different factors that need to be considered before construction commences.
The placement of the building is dependant on:
· Noise (cars & pedestrians)
· Wind / Breeze
· Pedestrian traffic
· Sun direction
· Views
My Cabin Design
Proposed Plan
Figure 13 Floor Plan
Bedroom area: The bedroom will be placed at the back (west) of the building where there is less noise. The wall to the south has no windows to reduce traffic noise entering. It is also has a great big windows facing north out on the park. As in the Sami Akil house the bedroom is placed away from the hot morning sun.
The Bedroom is away from the kitchen and dining room to create a more peaceful sleeping environment. It is also elevated to the rest of the cabin. This is done to create a separate space to the rest of the cabin but by avoiding placement of walls and doors.
Figure 14 Section A1
Central space: The kitchen and bathroom look out onto the park and the covered seating area looks out onto the park and the golf course. The exterior covered seating area has an intricate wooden lattice roof, and is multifunctional as Fathy’s Ka’a is; it can be used as work space, eating area, resting area and even a place to sleep during the hot summer nights. The latticework creates a nice shaded area but also allows visual access to the sky, which Fathy regarded as an important feature in his house.
The kitchen and dining area is separated by the exterior space by a large arched doorway and the ceiling consists of a big glass mosaic dome. This dome allows a significant amount of sunlight to enter but also acts to let air flow through the cabin (every second triangle is an opening).
Figure 15 Dome Perspective
Courtyard: The courtyard is surrounded by walls containing mashrabiyya’s, a pattern of opening in the concrete. These mashrabiyya’s allow controlled amount of sunlight entering the area and also allow airflow. The seating area is covered by more latticework. This space can be used similarly to the adjacent covered exterior.
During the design process I realized that my courtyard would be taking away from the existing park space, therefore I angled the walls surrounding the beautiful water fountain to allow people to enjoy is from Kulgun Park. I also angled these walls so that the cabin keeps its privacy and no one can look into the courtyard.
This fountain will also create ambient sound to drown out the noise of the traffic and pedestrians. In addition security reasons a gate could be added to the courtyard opening.
Figure 16 Roof Plan
To keep true to Fathy’s Phoraonic architectural ideals, I’ve placed three mashrabiyya’s at the south side and all measured using a common factor of phi (1.61). This idea turned out to work quite well because farther along the wall you went the less privacy you would need and at the same time allowing more south-easterly winds to enter the building.
Figure 17 South Elevation
Roof: In addition the two other exterior spaces I have allowed access to the roof. In Fathy’s designs, the roof was very important space; a retreat, a place to relax and to cool down. The roof is accessed by a concrete hovering staircase. This design gives the cabin a modern look, as Fathy always strived to incorporate the newest available technologies to his houses.
Above the mosaic dome is a cylindrical dome covering it from the rain and the midday sun. The shape of this protective dome is seen in many of Fathy’s designs and is very useful for creating a wind tunnel to increase airflow throughout the building.
Figure 18 North Elevation
Storage: There will be storage space under the bed, in the unit under the staircase and next to the main entrance by the door.
Environmental Filter
The cabin design will stay true to Hassan Fathy’s style, look and feel. At first the cabin was to be built with similar authentic material (thick limestone) but I soon realized that this would not only be very costly, but the thermal mass of this rock is very high and would not be very ideal for Brisbane weather; during the day it would be a great material but at night the heat captured in the stone during the day would be released. This is a good solution for cool Egyptian nights but not warm Brisbane nights. Therefore the cabin will be constructed out of hollow concrete brick. These bricks will either be insulated but the air space within the brick or by insulation foam spray inside the bricks.
The cabin will have a simple look on the outside with its white concrete finish and polished concrete on the inside. The floor will be tiled throughout the house. Under the authentic and traditional look there will be technologically advanced incorporations, as Fathy would have liked to see. The house will be sustainable, have energy efficient appliances and will rely on the airflow design to keep the house cool.
Container of Human Activities
The cabin will have incorporated cultural aspects that Fathy so fondly insisted on. The open plan gives the users a feel of communal space. The spaces also flow into each other and the subtle elevation changes create divisions so that there are no harsh separations. There are many windows/openings throughout the cabin to avoid separation from the environment.
The spaces in the cabin are all very versatile and can be modified to suit any person’s needs and wants. For instance having the dining room outside rather than indoors could be a very enjoyable experience.
Delight
As Hassan Fathy spent a lot of time on detail on his houses, this cabin will also be very visually pleasing. The exterior walls will be covered in white plaster to replicate the Akil Sami house. This would also give the house character and a home feel for Fathy. In the Sami Akil house, the wall are very thick and this thickness give the house a very solid feel. In oder to replicate this I have made the window extrude out of the cabin. This will give the illusion of very think walls.
Entering this cabin Fathy would feel at home. The cold tiles will be very enjoyable to walk on and will make cleaning easy and minimal (who wants to clean on their holiday!?).
Entering this cabin Fathy would feel at home. The cold tiles will be very enjoyable to walk on and will make cleaning easy and minimal (who wants to clean on their holiday!?).
The solid walls will create a safe environment for any users. In addition to the concrete walls there will be intricate wood details around the cabin in windows, mashrabiyya’s, door and outdoor lattice.
To enter the cabin one must first go up a few steps, this will increase and emphasize the movement from and exterior public space to an interior private space. As soon as someone enters the cabin the high ceilings give the space and much larger and powerful feel.
The cabin will sit heavily on the land as Fathy’s houses did. They are built to last generations. It will resemble a sculpture that is there to stay for a long time, and become a part of the culture and environment.
References:
*Rastorfer, D. (1985). The Late Houses. London: Concept Media.
*Steele, J. (1997). An Architecture for people : the complete works of Hassan Fathy. London: Thames and Hudson.
*Archnet. Hassan Fathy. Accessed March 25, 2011.
http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=3771
References:
*Rastorfer, D. (1985). The Late Houses. London: Concept Media.
*Steele, J. (1997). An Architecture for people : the complete works of Hassan Fathy. London: Thames and Hudson.
*Archnet. Hassan Fathy. Accessed March 25, 2011.
http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=3771
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