Architecture for Islamic Societies Today

ARCHITECTURE FOR ISLAMIC SOCIETIES T O D A Y

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A R C H I T E C T U R E

F O R

S O C I E T I E S

I S L A M I C

T O D A Y

S i n n ; the Aga Khün Award for Architecture W:LS begun in

J a m e s Steele lias w o r k e d tıs an architect in

1977 ii has been in [he forefront o f recognfcingihe full

has taught architecture at the University of Pennsylvania.

Impacl of social arid environmental upheaval o r the built

King tatsal University i n Saudi Arabia. Texas Tech University

environniem in Third WorkJ countries

in Lubbock and the University of Southern California i n Los

In ılıis yolumu the jury's selection U-r [he fuuith cycle of

and

An^eL's. Mis publications include: an architectural mono­

Ihe awards i>- presented. The s d e c f e d pnijL*cts which deal

graph o n Hassan Fathy,

wiili issues pertinent tu h w h the developing und developed

covering the 19"? fifth Aga Khan Award for Architecture and

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w o r i d , demonstrate their timeless relevance. The visionary philosophy heliind rhe awards has been lo seek lo encourage architects, builders, clients and) users to

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and

Architecture,

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all published by Academy Editions:

FaibyCotlecllon

published by the

Trust for o d i u r e .

learn from and add to die Muslim heritage. T i l t Idea haji nol been m compete tvith the established scholarsh p o f Islamic culture bui tu reflect o n t lie continuous relevance of The contemporary expressions o f Islam'

religion, culture

and civUisailon. Funhurnune me award has sought to identify new ifKlhtxkilujties :md new conceptions lo provide for an enabling eullure ılkU would prevent ,ı stagnation of the classical l e n i t y , while recognising; the living and Inventive tradition in Muslini societies. All [he award-winning protects Included are cescrlhcd in detail, examining not only me development anil design, c o n t r a c t i o n methods and technology hul also ihe historical background of the site. Projects range from the restoration of i lie CI real Omar) Mosque, Lebanon, ici the ("rrumecn Hunk Housing Programme, Uan^ladcsh. anil from me Gürel Summer Residence. Turkey, I D the Insiitut du Monde Arabe, Pads. "Liu's edition also Includes essays from OtagGrabar. Charles Correa, Ronald Lewoock. Suha Özkan and James Steele,

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ARCHITECTURE FOR ISLAMIC SOCIETIES T O D A Y

ARCHITECTURE FOR ISLAMIC SOCIETIES TODAY

EDITED BY JAMES J *

A C A D E M Y

E D I T I O N S * CS T H E A G A K H A N

STEELE A W A R D FOR AliCI IITECTURK

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Courtesy of Xtvodh Peiehtpmertl Authority AL-KLSDt PLAZA Reha <M ru>\\ muteiy- of Halım At\Wtı,ıl,m JiiDi KL-AIOW PBJMAKY SCHOOL- Jacques Peres COHMCHEMOSQUE Motomed Abnm. counesy o/Abdel Wahid Et-Watll MIi\'HifNY Of rt)ltlin;\ At-~PAIPS.- fHtx> Günay. Paw. ai Ma m ba^x NAUQMf ASSEMBLYBLJLDJMG Itrha Gunay. Artı wHûaoiM. INSTTTI T1 •! i i' i • ' •' ARARf. Pou.al UDfibiui. HiEWGWFICANCEOPCAttta

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Senior Designer Aridi^j Bellelli Dalgnenjun Richicr EJlioi, Nuiihj ftcbensod COVER Tbti fnigtitfomanl •HrWw'Hlon ofSn/dt arıbıtrUarr -rpiuatn tbr mail buk canstrticitan of the pair In mote J arable tontemp<^ary mareHals- PACit: 2: Ctatblta itpu-a'd totiartts a sbyilgbl in Louis Kah" s Assembly Bvildttv

Fim ınGrcjl In i..... in l ^ h f AOHJFWY EIÎITIDNÎ An impnnL of (he Academy Gıoujı Lid ACADtMV CGOUl^ LTD •İZliin^Lrlii-rılen^ LnjUilHul*? 3AN Kohenzolleinddmni 170, 1000 Berlin M .Usmlwrh <-
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CONTENTS

The M Oiflg

i;i a n d its P e o p l e

Vistas Cbarles

6

Gritbttr

12 Correct

I ilsui i : : ; ; ,i Future f o r i h e PaSI

1ft

Rantild Lewcock C o m p l e x i t y , Coexistence a n d Plurality

22

A Seareh f o r M e a n i n g

2ft

James

Steele

Report o f ihe 1989 Master J u r y

34

Project Descri p t t a u Serrw

al-Radi:

Restoration o i ihe G rem O n u r i Mosque

38

Pdijljiliiaiionof Asilar.

46

Grameen Bank Housinji Programme

60

Cltra Nfcijtfi. Urban Development

72

Giirel Summer Residence

80

Havy Assafarat Landscaping

86

Al Klndi Plaza

94

SkU d - A k m l Piirnary School

ii>4

Corniche Masque

110

Miniury of Foreign Affairs

116

National AM-emlily Building

126

InrJiiui du Monde Arabe

13ft

The Si^oiUTeance o f C a i r o

148

James

Steele

Contrihutors lo me 1989 Awards

152

T h e M i s s i o n a n d its P e o p l e OLEÜ G R A B A R

Each clay, o v e r a p e r i o d of three days, an unu SILI I constella-

remains of an elegant nineteenrh-ceniury palace built i n

tion of p e o p l e emerç-ed out o f the planes arriving at the

connection with the o p e n i n g of the Suez C a n a l and the first

new, cavernous, interna t ional airport in Cairo. They came

performance of Verdi's

from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri I j n k j . Pakistan, India.

[here b y a similarly varied array of Egyptian architects,

Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jran

L

Aida.

T h e n e w arrivals were met

professors, critics and helpers of all sorts. There f o l l o w e d a

Iraq, Tunisia, M o r o c c o , Tanzania, France, G e r m a n y .

series of learned a n d social events, w h o s e high point was

D e n m a r k , Great liriiain, Austria, Switzerland, lt;tly. Russia

the presentation of the iourth Aga K h a n Awards for Archi-

and the United States. There were historians of the ¡tns, of

tecture i n the spectacular setting o f Cairo's Citadel, suitably

the professorial its w e l l as the o r a t o r i a ! variety, from

smartened Up for the occasion.

celebrated Insiitutions of higher Learning and museums its

Most of these p e o p l e k n e w each other lsefore meeting i n

w e l l as from more modest Institutions with relatively

Cairo, or. at rhe very least, they h a d heard of each other.

smaller prestige. There v/ere also anthropologists, sociolo-

Many had met l?efore a n d most w i l l , G o d w i l l i n g , meet

gists a n d scholars in other disciplines of the humanities and

again, hut f e w of them h a d imagined, w h e n they e m b a r k e d

social sciences: f t " » E u r o p e , North America and Western

on individual professional careers i n so many different

A s i a . There were British critics living i n southern France.

lands, that they w o u l d eventually lselong to a totally unique

Gemían ones from the United States, Egyptian ones from

group, a sort of c l u b without uniforms hut with a logo,

Arabia, a n d many from the Indian subcontinent. There

without rules o f membership, practice, or behaviour but

were newspaper a n d magazine reportéis f r o m e v e r y w h e r e

with a mission and a commitment. If it had to have a name,

and ministers a n d h i g h leve! administrators fiom France,

the club w o u l d probably be called, quite awkwardly, rhe

Tanzania, M o r o c c o a n d Uzbekistan. There was a n interior

N e t w o r k c o n c e r n e d with the Aga K h a n A w a r d for

decorator from Bahrain a n d an Iraqi rnedical doctor from

Architecture i n the lands where Muslims live a n d w o r k ' ,

N e w Y o r k . There w e r e officials from many public a n d

hut it s h o u l d not have a name, just as it can never have

private Internationa] organisations. There were quite a few

membership cards.

mere siudenis iff a n , architecture and [be social .sciences and iliere were representatives of must of the major Ismail i

For, even if It is a tangible reality every three yeais, w h e n

c o m m u n i t i e s from all over the w o r l d . A n d there was a bevy

the Awards are given, a n d even if smaller groups from the

o f the necessary recorders o f such events: translators,

club meet occasionally, it is less a club than a self-gener-

photographers, secretaries, a u d i o a n d visual experts w h o

ated network. It arose out of a v i s k m formulated by the Aga

c a n t;tpe a n d transmit what is b e i n g said and s h o w images

K h a n because of his c o n c e r n a l u i n i the qualify of the

o n a d o z e n screens at the same time. Accountants and

envinjnmenr i n M u s l i m lands d u r i n g the early sevenries. It

financial controllers were there, ready to add up bills a n d

grew, then, out of its o w n activities, at times for

expenses a n d to check them against budgets. There was an

bureaucratic reasons, at other limes l o c a l i s e of the ques-

assortment o f p u b l i c relations specialism, ready to explain

tions it was raising. T h e m a i n reason for its achievement,

what was b e i n g said o r what was about to happen to those

however it is to l i e judged f r o m the outside, is tltat ils

in attendance and those w h o were not. M a n y of these

mission is unique, but, even more so, Ijecause the range

p e o p l e came with their spouses and s o m e even brought

and qualities of ils activities and especially of the p e o p l e

their children. Most were relatively y o u n g l o r such interna-

w h o have devoted themselves to its continuing operation

tional gatherings, as individuáis under fifty clearly predomi-

are o f an order hitherto u n k n o w n i n this century. I shall

n a t e d W o m e n , w h i l e not i n the majority, w e r e also surpris-

first turn to the character o f the mission and then o f the

ingly prominent in the c r o w d s w a i t i n g patientlv for [he

p e o p l e c o m m i t t e d to it.

appropriate checks of passports a n d visas ai Cairo a i r p o r t

There are t w o ways l o define that mission. O n e is to return to the speeches a n d other p u b l i c statements w h i c h

Buses brought the visitors to their hotel, a sinking, tall and altogether efficient corUemporary beehive a r o u n d the

6

accompanied the first Awards in

and to the many

papers w h i c h can l i e f o u n d i n the proceedings of the

seminars sponsored by the Aga K h a n A w a r d , in the earlier

original problems a n d w h i c h incited the Aga K h a n to

books dedicated to cycles of Awards, or i n the interviews

design the A w a r d s that bear bis name are not s i m p l e events

with H i s H i g h n e s s Karim Aga K h a n published over the past

w h i c h can Ije erased and replaced b y n e w a n d better ones,

sixteen years or so.

They have deeper implications w h o s e full understanding

From all these documents the sense of a mission does

m a y w e l l lead to a less mechanistic a n d m o r e fundamental,

indeed emerge: to Incorporate and understand (he as­

ultimately more imaginative, definition o f a mission. For, to

tounding wealth o f fourteen h u n d r e d years o f an Islamic

consider change as a new revetment o n the same b o d y is

architecture built, mostly by Muslims, for their Muslim

to miss the depth o f a p r o b l e m a n d of an ailment w h o s e

brothers and sisters a n d for all of those w h o lived in lands

sources lie i n the history o f the Muslim w o r l d .

ruled by Muslims; to escape from the constricting bland-

The e n o r m o u s w o r l d of Muslims i n Asia. E u r o p e a n d

ness o f external, and mostly western. Imports; to look with

Africa and n o w . b y the contemporary extension of these

care, intelligence a n d affection ai the traditional structures

three old continents in the Americas a n d i n Australia as

of the environments In w h i c h M u s l i m s live now a n d have

well, was created b y four major historical a n d cultural

lived in the past; to lind ways to adapt these structures to

explosions, different from e a c h other in character a n d by

trie contemporary w o r l d , w h i l e f o r m i n g n e w generations of

the ethnic a n d cultural allegiances of those i n v o l v e d i n

men and w o m e n ready to meet o n their o w n the c h a l ­

each o n e o f them. These were the A r a b e x p a n s i o n , a n e w

lenges of the present a n d , liy extension, of the Future a n d

faith i n the seventh a n d eighth centuries taking over many

to respond to the aesthetic, if not the technological, pres­

lands with a rich past w h i c h w e r e a l m o s r always related to

ence of the West.

classical antiquity: a primarily T u r c o - M o n g o l e x p l o s i o n i n

Today these w o r d s a n d the thoughts [hey imply as w e l l as [be emotions w h i c h led to them are n o longer as original as they were fifteen or sixteen years ago. Partly through the effons and activities o f the Aga K h a n A w a r d , notions of aıchitectıı ml Identity, o f reliance o n native rather than imported practices and talents, of an ideologically signifi­ cant rather than merely antiquarian past, o f technologies appropriate to each task, of n e w partnerships between decision m a k i n g and execution, o f pride i n the accomplish* meats of tlic nasi of the lands o n w h i c h one builds, of locally inspired rather than Imported educational objectives in professional schools have become standard statements

the twelfth a n d thirteenth centuries w h i c h enlarged the earlier e x p a n s i o n Into Europe, the northern plains, a n d India; i n the fifteenth through to the seventeenth century, a generally slower but very effective cultural, military a n d missionary expansion i n v o l v i n g Arabs, Berbers, Turks of many different stripes, Iranians a n d M o n g o l s primarily into Africa, Sourheasr Asia a n d the FarEasr; a n d finally the transfer, in totoor, more frequently, i n segments, o f a n y one existing M u s l i m g r o u p to almost every other p a n of the globe i n the second half of the twentieth century. There* fore, Los Angeles or Amsterdam harfiour a s a m p l i n g of every possible ethnic g r o u p and sectarian fac tion of Islam.

p

in political and educational discourses everywhere. Results may not have always c o i n c i d e d with expecta­

T h e last o f these expansions is, for the most p a n , a very recent one. It was generated by political a n d e c o n o m i c

tions, but it rakes time for liabits to change. Vet. i n theory

troubles i n certain pans o f the Muslim w o r l d a n d its impact

and often in practice, considerable progress has l i e e n

on cultural matters is difficult to establish at this time, it is

achieved in establishing Local or regional norms for archi­

lair to say tliat it w i l l fiecome an i m p o n a n t c o m p o n e n t of

tecture, in d e v e l o p i n g critical thinking al nearlyevery level

M u s l i m culture at huge as w e l l as of European and Ameri­

of planning a n d construction, i n training y o u n g profession¬

can cultures a generation from n o w . because its memliers

als to have a greater sensitivity to their past than they had

w i l l enter the ranks of cultural, e c o n o m i c a n d even political

previously, a n d i n p l a n n i n g or d e s i g n i n g successful w o r k s

p o w e r everywhere perhaps except in j a p a n .

of architecture, or environmental projects i n all forty-four of the w o r l d s countries with predominantly Muslim inhabit­ ants. In a very practical sense, the m i s s i o n o r a m i s s i o n lias lieen accomplished. All that may be needed is to continue and to refine these new habits as n e w challenges and n e w needs creep up. Yet, there is another w a y o f defining that mission than by

T h e first three of these expansions were almost entirely generated b y internal Muslim forces a n d needs. T h e y created, i n different lands, a culture unified by c o m p a r i s o n to the worlds tliat surrounded it, yet immensely varied in its o w n c o m p o s i t i o n . Some of these variations derived from the earlier history iti the lands involved, with c o n t i n u i n g memories of the a n of the I'haraohs, of (he Roman empire,

listing organisational, educational, or even creative objec­

of the A c h a c m e n i d s and Sassanids, or of the Guptas in

tives a n d then measuring them against accomplishments.

Egypt, the Mediterranean area, I r a n or India, respectively;

For the cultural a n d political p h e n o m e n a which created the

otherscame out o f inner tensions a n d clashes within

Architecture for Islamic Societies

M u s l i m culture itself (the competition between Sunn i a n d

at times u n e x p e c t e d , if o n l y temporarily successful, off-

Shi ia allegiances, (he d o m i n a t i o n o f many lands b y the

shoots s u c h as Marxism a n d the Russian revolution. This

Ottomans o r the Mughals a n d the varying p o w e r o f mysti-

expansion was politically a n d economically exploitative,

cal a n d esoteric values). These are the centuries, roughly

hut it was also, a n d for o u r purjjoses m o s t im|Hinantly so,

from the eighth to the seventeenth, of nearly all the master-

cultural in that it p r o v i d e d a readv made a n d pre-packaged

pieces of Islamic architecture, f r o m the D o m e of the Rock

model for living, teaming a n d social Iwhaviour a n d interac-

in Jerusalem to the Taj Mahal i n Agra, o f all the cities, from

tion. These models came w i t h several doctrines, from

B a g h d a d to Fatehpur-Sikri, w h i c h were created l>y M u s -

hedonism to c o m m u n i s m , w h i c h , o n the one h a n d , justi-

lims. A l l o f rhe cities, f r o m Damascus 10 Samarkand a n d

fied these models morally a n d p h i l o s o p h i c a l l y a n d , o n the

Istanbul, i n spite o f their l o n g pre-lslamic history a n d often

oEher, c l a i m e d universal values for them. Q u i t e a bit has

spectacular non-Islamic qualities, w e r e radically m o d i f i e d

b e e n written recently about these models and about the

by the n e w faith a n d the society engendered by that faith-

w a y s i n whic h [hey w e r e packaged in nineteenth-century

A n d , most particularly, it was the time of (he creation of

international exhibitions i n EurO[M_- a n d A m e r i c a . T h e y still

several languages of architecture w h i c h all shared some

are represented i n current advertisements for automobiles

features, vet w e r e not all the same, but w h i c h , in the

or electronic equipment. B e y o n d the packaging, the fact

aggregate, created a formally recognised architectural

remains that European models in everything from clothes

family of its o w n . T o some contemporary thinkers a n d

a n d c o o k i n g to buildings a n d art became the operative

critics rhe history of this lineage became independent of the

norm for Muslims all over the w o r l d .

history o f current traditions elsewhere and grew or c h a n g e d exclusively a c c o r d i n g to internal rhythms. T o

T h e character a n d the rhythms of these factors of rupture

others, its history was always intimately connected to what

have varied enormously from place to plate a n d it us almost

h a p p e n e d a r o u n d it. for Islamic culture a l o n e shared

impossible to establish a unified c h r o n o l o g y i n the forma-

frontiers w i t h all the discrete cultures established tiefore the

tion or d e v e l o p m e n t o f either one. N o r is it important for

discovery of rhe A m e r i c a n continent, and paniripated.

m y pur|n>ses i n this essay to argue for o r against any

sometimes unwittingly, in the political or cultural events

relationship b e t w e e n them. What matters is the apparent

and the p s y c f w l o g i c a l or e m o t i o n a l m a k e - u p of western

result: a M u s l i m w o r l d w h i c h has b e e n reproducing alien

and n o n h e r n E u r o p e , Africa, a n d , to a smaller degree, the

ionus f
Sinitic w o r l d .

intellectual a n d aesthetic meclianisms for m a k i n g choices capable o f g i v i n g authenticity to the c o n t i n u i n g changes to

T i l e contrast lietween these t w o interpretations of the history of an architecture, a n d culture, is nor merely an

the m o d e r n built environment. Put i n these temis. as it so often is. this result is indeed

academic debate for it raises rhe first of the deeper issues

depressing- Something assumed to lie g o o d , a set o f moral

w h o s e elaboration has Isecome parr of the mission taken

and aesthetic traditions, is replaced b y something w h i c h

o n b y the A g a K h a n A w a r d . That issue is whether the

may not always he trad but w h i c h is certainly alien. Hut

originality a n d the integrity of the great centuries o l Islamic

does it have to be put in these tenns?The argument c o u l d

creativity derived from the maintenance, even if occasion-

IXJ made [hat all the technological advances of the past t w o

ally flawed, of a purity o f single m i n d e d purpose a n d of an

hundred years s h o u l d not be considered nor d e f i n e d by the

internally generated process for m a k i n g decisions about

names of the lands f r o m w h i c h they came. M i c r o b e s may

the ans and the environment, or whether these very

liave been d i s c o v e i e i l b y a f r e n c h m a n , chemical tables \yy

qualities are the product o f remarkable powers o f cuhuraI

a Russian a n d X-rays by a G e r m a n , but biology, chemistry,

assimilation. T h e w i l l toadapr a n d rhe ability to d o so

or radiology are not identified b y national or even ideologi-

creatively derive from a deep-sealed certainty about one's

cal labels a n d w e all are aware of the scientific disaster

destiny a n d alwiut one's identity .

w h i c h Ix-fell biological sciences in the Soviet U n i o n w h e n

7

T w o faeU>rs led to the disrupt ion of ihese traditions w h i c h h a d survived so many centuries. O n e . w h i c h is only ntfw l i c g i n n i n g to attract the attention of scholars, is an internal sclerosis, the apparent inability to face up to challenges a n d to find solutions to internal or external problems. T h e other factor is E u r o p e a n expansion w h i c h b e g a n i n the sixteenth century and e n d e d b y controlling the w h o l e planet after W o r l d W a r I- It includes various a n d

8

an attempt was made to d o so. These clianges and i n v e n tions w e r e accidentally Western a n d s h o u l d rather be seen as appropriate means, whatever their origin, for resolving problems of health, shelter, education and c o m m u n i c a t i o n Change became radical a n d tnetrtevable since that fateful moment, sometime i n the early nineteenth century, w h e n a machine m o v e d faster than a horse, a n d since a more nebulous rime, in rhe eighteenth century, w h e n humanity

The Mission ami its People

overcame the religious or ethnic identification of one

m a k e their experience creative i n meeting the challenges of

person. T o he more accurate, neither these universally

today; a n d , finally, to ask forcefully and o p e n l y wherher

humanistic thoughts a n d ideologies n o r ihe capacity'to

the n a r r o w - m i n d e d political a n d ideological framework of

build were always used wisely a n d ethically. But Ihe point

nations s h o u l d not be superseded b y a generous and

has clearly b e e n made, İJy ecologisis in recem years, lhat

humane universalism.

the w o d d eann
Universal p o w e r is present w h e n e v e r truly important

solutions must be sought for h u m a n issues, just as they are

issues or considerable sums of money are involved, ft is

for natural ones. T h e mission, then b e c o m e s no longer to

even possible that multi-national interests, such as the a m i s

bemoan a past w h i c h is gone, but to herald a future of

industry , find maintaining local allegiances advantageous

c o m m o n aspirations i n w h i c h differences c a n be a c c o m ­

to their wealth. With all these issues the challenge to the

modated, hut not a l l o w e d to dominate.

A w a r d is not simply to continue d o i n g practically what it

O n e can argue that m i s discussion s h o u l d have taken

has d o n e so w e l l for m i n e than fifteen years, w h i c h is to

place three generations ago a n d lhat il is n o longer relevant

reward accomplishments generated outside o f it, s i m p l y

to anything but a particular sub-irilie of historians w h o

h o p i n g thai such rewards will become an incentive for

enjoy speculating o n what might have happened. For i n

others to continue i n the same creative w a y . T h e A w a r d

reality, since W o r l d W a r II, the dominant p h e n o m e n o n

should also provide intellectual a n d ethical direction for the

among Muslims, as a m o n g many other cultures of Asia,

century to c o m e and to make tlrese directions and the

America a n d Africa, has lîeen the g r o w t h o f the nation state

information a n d debates w h i c h l e d to them available to all

and the development o f allegiances to geographical entities

seekers. It is particularly important to stress the notion of

which are very often arbitrary a n d w h o s e systems o f rule,

'debate', since the A w a r d lias tried, o n the w h o l e success­

varied though they are, all c l a i m a u n i q u e quality to what

fully, to a v o i d doctrinaire positions o n architecture and the

they are. different firom the qualities of their neighbours, A l

environment a n d to a l l o w for a free discussion o f the

a time w h e n electronic technology transforms almost all the

issues. Yet these debates have not been w e l l publicised,

mechanisms for every type of h u m a n activity into sets of

and it Ls easy e n o u g h to interpret the cycle o f awards in

formulae in a computerised expression and when almost

l e r m s o f preferences for certain types of activities a n d

no major enterprise can lie initiated without the participa­

certain formal directions o v e r others. I f i e A w a r d can m o v e

tion o f an international financial and legal order, political

to the n e w a n d challenging direction of in-depth debates

and psychological allegiance is formulated a n d enforced,

because it already has access to a fascinating array of

often with horrible consequences, by the ill-educated

personalities.

1

apparatus of rulers i n arbitrary nation-states. W h o are the ' p e o p l e ' of (he A w a r d * They c a n be d i v i d e d Every day the n e w s provides examples of the d e e p

into three g r o u p s w h i c h , like the organisation o f ants a n d

contradictions between, o n ihe one hand, the parochial

of bees, function w i t h the same purpose i n m i n d but often

dramas of individual Cities, families and minority groups i n

without encountering each other, except every three years

a large city or remote area, a n d . o n the other, the tantalising

lor the presentation of awards. I shall call these g r o u p s the

dreams and expectations transmitted by media and made

antennae, the 'general staff a n d the heroes. T h e r e are

7

possible b y multi-national companies. Therein ties the third

occasionally movements between the first TWO categories;

element in the mission w h i c h has, it seems to roe, e v o l v e d

the last one, however, consists mifstly of memories, but its

from the activities o f the A g a K h a n A w a r d : to explain a n d

importance is, as i shall try to indicate, crucial.

develop the practical and psychological or intellectual options facing humanity i n the twenty-first century. Whether they are i n their ancestral lands or i n L i e anony­ mous quarters of enormous and varied metropolises, should Muslims seek to maintain i n a n e w s k i n what their grandparents liad l>een or s h o u l d they proclaim their new identity!' A n d what intermediary positions c a n IK_- imagined? it is thus through three directions that i c a n outline the deeper mission of the A w a r d : to understand coherently a n d to explain in-depth the mechanisms w h i c h made a rich a n d very varied pası appear so brilliant a n d successful today; to identify the ruptures w h i c h i n c u r r e d in terms w h i c h w o u l d

T h e antennae are the most original feature of the A w a r d . T h e y consist of four to five h u n d r e d individuals w h o arcasked every tliree years to nominate architectural or environmental projects w h i c h have b e e n completed a n d i n use for at least three years. A l t h o u g h it is assumed, usually correctly, that most of them w i l l nominate relatively recently completed ensembles, they are not restricted to n e w i>nes a n d can ¿»0 Ixick almost a generation. T h e A w a r d , i n this respect, differs f r o m most prices in that it a l l o w s for the passage of time a n d for the recognition that immediacy o f awareness does not always mean continuity in impact. In fact, quite frequently it takes time For the true

9

Architecture for Islamic Soeietics

value of a w o r k o f visual a n . music, or literature 10 be

a n d w i n J, w i t h the help of his |>etsonal advisers, evaluates

understood. Nominators are restricted 10 physical entities.

various possible directions for the A w a r d , advises o n its

Boobs, laws, p o l i c y decisions, events a n d teachings, w h i c h

relationships with governments a n d non-governmental

c a n all have e n o r m o u s impact o n the b u i l d i n g of the

organisations, a n d controls lis revenues. T h e other element

environment, are not. at this stage, covered- But they c o u l d

Is the Secretariat of the A w a r d w h i c h is the nerve centre o l

lie a n d the important point is that a fellowship o f people

the w h o l e operation, the practical organiser of all of its

exists w h o , a n o n y m o u s l y and without any personal reward

activities, the keeper of its archives a n d the source through

(other than the right to nominate themselves), scan what is

w h i c h infonnation, publications, images, discussions and

h a p p e n i n g around t h e m a n d . like so many antennae, they

ideas are pieserved a n d can l i e made available anywhere

s e n d out infonnation. ro those w h o are what I LUII the

in the w o r l d . "Hie other t w o elements arc not continuous.

•general staff.

O n e o f tltese is ihe Steering Committee, a relatively small

Theirs is a process o f learning a n d o f judgement, i n d i ­ viduals a m o n g t h e m can probably be criticised for failure o n both counts a n d it is o n l y b y experience that their errors may be found a n d c o r r e c t e d In ihe meantime, the infonna­ tion they have p r o v i d e d b y n o m i n a t i n g more than a thousand projects is a u n i q u e document o n the character of the b u i l d i n g enterprise anywhere i n the w o r l d and ¡1 demonstration o f h o w the contemporary architecture of a specific cultural area has l i e e n judged by those w h o live in a n d w i t h it. These archives are also major resources for historians, economists a n d sociologists, as they contain a mass of infonnation o n all the processes o f building. Another original aspect of ihe antennae lies in ihe

g r o u p of people with very different individual skills, although there too architects predominate, but w i t h the presumed abilitv to see a n d understand the wider implica­ tions of things, w i t h the imagination to Invent n e w direc­ tions a n d with the w i s d o m to judge wliatevcr Is proposed. T h e committee's major functions are to evaluate ideas a n d proposals put to it b y the Secretariat o r b y a n y other o r g a n i s a t i m . to initiate programmes a n d activities, to consider v i e w s about the future of the A w a r d , to speculate occasionally aboul the feasibility of long range pnrjects, a n i l generally to serve as an intellectual and practical springlnrard for everything i n v o l v i n g the A w a r d . The originality of the Steering Conimirtee lies i n the fact that, since all of its membets are otherwise e m p l o y e d and are

creation a n i l the task of a Masterjury. T h e Master Jury is a n

chosen because of their achievements elsewhere, it can l i e .

antenna not Isecause it gathers information, but because ii

a n d often has been, the true creator of the A w a r d s activi­

broadcasts il- It consists of seven to nine individuals chosen

ties without l">eing pressurised by anything other than

according to a well-established equilibrium tictween

c o n c e r n l o r the a v o w e d aims of the tnsfttuNon-

architects and humanists or social scientists, Muslims and non-Muslims, y o u n g a n d o l d , celebrated figures and obscure actors, m e n a n d w o m e n . Its discussions are secret

T h e fourth aspect of the 'general Staff Is implemented during the deliberations of the Master Jury a n d consists of

a n d its decisions final. U n l i k e the nominators, ntemliers of

the technical review learns that investigate projects for

the jury are remunerated, as it takes a great deal of time

w h i c h the jury w o u l d like additional infonnation. Technical

away f r o m busy professional lives to evaluate between a

reviewers are usually y o u n g , they c o m e from dozens of

hundred: a n d fifty a n d t w o h u n d r e d submitted projects. But,

countries, a n d their reports are, for the most part, models of

even w h e n chosen from a m o n g individuals w h o h a d Iseen

intelligent critical research a n d observation. Their data

asstH. iaied with the A w a r d , they are o n l y limited in their

b e c o m e part
L

evaluation by their o w n preiudices a n d knowledge a n d by

important function Ls tliat they are i n v o l v e d i n a critical root

their commitment to quality i n the built environment. Just

of the Award's concern, the actual operation of recently

as, at ihe l>eginning of the process of the A w a r d , anony­

built w o r k s of architecture a n d the impact it is m a k i n g o n

m o u s nominators guarantee a randomly appropriate

rho^se w h o use them.

selection, so, at the very e n d . an independent jary pro­ claims and. justifies decisions about those pn^ecis w h i c h had seemed to ihe jury best to meet the complex and varied needs of Muslim societies.

T a k e n together, the antennae and the general staff, past a n d present, as w e l l as all those w h o İlave lx.'en singled out to receive s o m e sort of recognitiim through the A w a r d , amount to nearly a thousand men a n d w o m e n around the

Between the nominators a n d ihe final jury lies the

globe w h o have contributed to the functioning o f the

'genenil staff. It consists of four separate elements. T w o o f

A w a r d a n d w h o have learned from their participation

them

permanently and define the continuity of the

something of the objectives and expectations of this new

A w a r d . There is His Highness T h e Aga K h a n , whose vision

endeavour. There are, no doubt, d l s g m n t l e d individuals,

about the future o f M u s l i m peoples initiated i h i A w a r d ,

but [he vast majority of i h e m have l i e e n fully cognisant of

LO

0|5eralc

The Mission and its People

their involvement In a novel and Imaginative enterprise

shaped the intellectual a n d the emotional m a k e up o f all

whose ambition Is to acquire a sense of the preseni thai is

w h o are i n v o l v e d in the A w a r d - They also suggest b y their

deep e n o u g h to shape the environment o f the future. T h e

involvement i n the n e w projects of emerging nations what

dedication of all these people makes t h e m and others like

is also i m p l i e d b y the presence of so many M u s l i m profes­

them the o b v i o u s pool from w h i c h to c h o o s e those w h o

sionals a n d Intellectuals i n the n o n - M u s l i m w o r l d w h i c h is

will p o n d e r the questions raised by the mission of the

that the oneness o l the w o r l d is far more real than the

A w a r d and those for w h o m the answers Co then; questions

differences between us a n d that k n o w l e d g e a n d quality

wlD hecome essential as they face the twenty-first century.

transcend boundaries.

But these active people from many countries a n d

These considerations s e e m far r e m o v e d f r o m the nostal­

different backgrounds are not the o n l y ones involved. The

gic recollection o f C a i r o a n d yet, as the images of the lines

voice o f those w h o have gone before must also he heard,

o f passengers at the airport c o m e back to me, the real

since they have left their stamp o n the environment a n d o n

conclusion to emerge is that m u l l i n g is impossible for the

the taste o f all o f us today, b o t h i n the M u s l i m world a n d

variety o f talents, k n o w l e d g e and competencies that

elsewhere. Sometimes, as with the sixteenth-century

appeared then. T h e institution that made it possible for all

Ottoman architect Sinan or with Hassan Partly, the architec­

of them to gather possesses within Itself the means a n d the

tural prophet from twentieth -century Egypt, we k n o w their

structures to meet all the informational, intellectual a n d

names a n d a great deal about h o w they w o r k e d a n d why

ethical challenges involved i n understanding the built

they accomplished what they d i d . At other times, as with

environment throughout the w o r k ! a n d i n i m p r o v i n g the

Q a w a m a l - D i n Shirazi, responsible for some of the mosi

setting ol' life. Ms proclaimed responsibility is limited to the

spectacular architecture in fifteenth-century Iran, we k n o w

w o r l d of Muslims, but anything that improves the e n v i r o n ­

names a n d can o n l y guess about the lives behind the

ment for o n e fifth of m a n k i n d is b o u n d to affect the rest.

names. Most of them arc? the a n o n y m o u s masters responsi­

Thus w e return ro wliMr 1 see as the fundamental question

ble for the h u m b l e constructions of small villages or o f

of o u r time: h o w c a n one preserve, i n dignity a n d with

private houses, for designing w h o l e cities, a n d for supervis­

success, separate identities, w h e n technology, ecology,

ing the b u i l d i n g of grandiose mosques, secluded fortresses,

e c o n o m i c s a n d the media all tend to homogenise their

public baths, schools a n d w o n d e r f u l palaces. W e cannot

impact a n d their control? S h o u l d one even try? Few forums

ask them questions, but we can leant altımı their buildings

are more able to think about these issues than the real but

in ways w h i c h almost c o m p e l a reconstntction, or at worst

invisible o n e that constitutes the A g a K h a n A w a r d s for

an evocation, of their presence and of the reasons for their

Architecture.

decisions, as scholars a n d critics try to e x p l a i n some unexpected detail or some forceful statement. W e w i l l not always lie right in imagining the motivations behind their decisions, but w e c a n penetrate into their creations a n d

iTm courtyard

of tbeSı

t I'M ı> tiu&aıı

Mösqtat

in

Cairo

become satisfied that whatever it is that we understand itlxxit them is a reasonable approximation to what actually happened. Slowly a n d often with considerable effort, w e can transform these obscure masters into the heroes o f o u r mission. Just like the heroes of classical legends a n d myths, they will be present in contemporary t h i n k i n g through their works rather than i n person. T h e y w i l l not necessarily l i e models w h o s e creations s l u m Id be c o p i e d as exemplary individuals w h o k n e w h o w to solve the problems of their Lime, a n d it w o u l d not Ix. proper to limit this category of hetoes to those responsible for the traditions and master­ pieces of Islamic architecture i n the past. Great past masters of western architecture, s u c h as Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, and f o u l s K a h n , designed, built a n d taught in and for the Muslim w o r l d . T h e y l o o are part of that aeroic past, architects w h o m 1 have mentioned, but political a n d cultural leaders s h o u l d l>e included as well, w h o have

II

Vistas CHARLES CORREA

T h e architect w h o builds a glass tower i n the middle i>f the

For mast people, these are the images o f Islamic Archi-

Arabian d e s e n w i l l justify die design with a hundred

tecture that spring to m i n d . Yet, ironically e n o u g h , the

different reasons - except possibly the real one, w h i c h is

majority of Muslims d o not live i n countries w h e r e this k i n d

the unconscious attempt to recreate ihe mythic Imagery of

of built form is relevant. T h e y live ett$t of Delhi; i n fact, east

what is perhaps the quintessential city o f rhe twentieth

of Calcutta . They live i n Bangladesh a n d Indonesia a n d

century: H o u s t o n , Texas.

Malaysia. T h e y live i n hot h u m i d climates. What they n e e d

Such is the p o w e r of the mythic image - and the control

1

is not dense massing, but light free-standing structures a n d

it exercises o n o u r lives. A n d this o f course is the key issue

cross-ventilation. So what is the relevance of the great

j t the heart of the A g a K h a n A w a r d for Architecture. H o w

d o m e d mi>sque o f Isfahan to them? In their part of the

can architect a n d client free themselves from this colonisa-

w o r l d , they cannot b u i l d masonry arches a n d domes; they

tion o f the mind? T h e task is not easy, nor is it one that

must instead use s l o p i n g tiled roofs in order to k e e p out the

concerns only the islamic w o r l d . O n the contrary, it is an

heavy m o n s o o n rains. What s h o u l d fifreiVmosques h m k

arena i n w h i c h every architect d w e l l s , including those w h o

like? Right n o w , most Muslims deal with the p r o b l e m by

build i n the western w o r l d , w h e r e the dichotomy between

b u i l d i n g a tiled-roof structure and then sticking a small tin

ihe M o d e r n movement and Post-Modernism, or between

d o m e o n t o p (often just a Hat two-dimensional cut-out) to

either of them a n d the Deconstructivists, can be perceived

symbolise what their effon is all about. C a n the M u s l i m

as analogues of this paradigm. Thus the agenda o f this

architect in Indonesia or Bangladesh be free of such images

A w a r d is really quite central to o u r profession; and not just

or accept them as an essential part of the imagery of faith?

the exotic Disneyland hothouse that many assume it to be. i n d e e d , w o r k i n g o n the Steering Committee has p r o v i d e d an insight into many o f the most crucial questions that confront architects here i n India, as w e l l as i n other pans of the w o r l d . This essay addresses some of those issues, a n d the perspectives they have generated.

Vet. is that a fair question? Alter all, a symbol cannot Iw made to order as a n d w h e n w e want, like a piece of clothing. Its p o w e r and meaning s l o w l y accrues, d o w n through the centuries, a n d cannot be c h a n g e d overnight. Thus the Cross of Calvary is Ixit a machine for putting p e o p l e to dead], therefore in nations a r o u n d the w o r l d where it has b e e n replaced by the guillotine or the electric

Mythic Imagery T o tx'gin w i t h , the p o w e r of mythic Imagery i s o f course

chair, s h o u l d Christian churches follow suit? O r more peninently, can they?

m u c h o l d e r than Texas, it is one of the basic mechanisms involved i n the design process. Every architect lias a n

l>eep S t r u c t u r e

assortment of images o n w h i c h to draw d u r i n g the design

T o answer this question, let us Stan b y e x a m i n i n g the way

process. Islam provides a panicularly rich r e s e t v o i r o f s u c h

an architect designs. At w o r k everyday i n a somewhat

Imagery. As it came out of the d e s e n a n d spread eastward

banal w o r l d , the architect races quite commonsensical

through Y e m e n a n d India a n d w e s t w a r d to M c r o c c o a n d

problems dealing with clients w h o have particular require-

Spain, it l>rillianily internalised the various architectural

ments, budgets, time schedules a n d so forth. Within these

systems it encountered, integrating them into a language

parameters the architect tries to arrive at suitable arrange-

w h i c h is unrivalled for sheer lyrical beauty i n the history of

ments of built form.

architecture. Certainly these typologies, based on the hot, dry climate w h i c h prevails from Granada i n the West to D e l h i a n d Agra in the East, generated the k i n d of built f o r m w h i c h appeals immensely to OUT contemporary sensibilities: clusters i ffeimrryard houses, closely packed together, sheltering each other from the sun, around large-domed public buildings built of thick heat-resisting walls.

12

liut at another level, just below this surface, architects at least some of them - seem to have access to that w o r l d of compulsive, near-mythic, imagery w h i c h w e have just been discussing. These images act like p o w e r f u l elixirs, transforming the dross of everyday construction into sonielhing tar more vivid a n d exciting:

fftOAt AIIQVH: Distant lieu 1963; Sana a Ytmrm, Yrmtn architecture, mvals

u-btletrrmlngly

itself tbtfmfib Careful

nf Houston. brilliantly

Texas OourtHnu/n. internalised';

taken in

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m<*iesi. bos a subtle richness

that

study

EVERYDAY WORLD COMPLlSVE IMAGERY

But is This m e w h o l e picture? Surely the very existence o f [he 'grab-l}ag implies the presence o f a third stratum: a far h

more profound d e e p structure, w h i c h , throughout history, has nourished the arts.

EVERYDAY WORLD J^ ™

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COMPUL8VE IMAGERY

s

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" DEER STLU'CTl'HE

This deep structure is the weflspring o f architecture, a primordial force that underlies the m i d d l e level a n d generates its c o m p u l s i v e Imagery. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright created his U s o n i a n houses not by raiding the middle level ( i e t h e existing T u d o r a n d C a p e Cod vocabulary), but rather h y his intuitive understanding of the aspirations of middle America i n the Midwest. In other words, his path seems to cut right through the middle layer, penetrating to rock bottom mythic images o f Lteonia, Deposited ai the m i d d l e level, they b e c o m e accessible to architects and developers, f o r m i n g the n e w lifestyle o f most North American suburbia throughout this century, two steps up to the d i n i n g area, die c a r p o n , the picture w i n dow, the o p e n plan a n d so forth.

Regionalism i n the process, Wright challenged the cultural elitism o f America's East Coast establishment and its B e a m A n s clones. Because o f the nature o f their mandate, a rchitecLs are sensitive to cultural b u l l y i n g . Thus w h e n asked to b u i l d the US Embassy in India, for example, the architect may try to design an Indian' Looking b u i l d i n g that w i l l fit into the contest o f Delhi. O n the other hand, if asked to design the Indian Embassy i n Washington, the same architect will prchably c o m e u p with a design that conveys Indian cultural values, and not A m e r i c a n ones. S o w e d o not really perceive these twin tasks as mirror images o f each other. Both our responses are biased, but not symmetrical. W e vaguely suspect lhal in the p o w e r struggle g o i n g o n around the w o r l d , there are those cultures w h i c h are 'underdogs' a n d those that are 'bullies', a n d that the imbalance lias nothing to d o with intrinsic cultural value but w i t h economic clout.

13

Architecture for Islamic Societies

H e n c e the great emphasis a m o n g architects today o n

change, but o n l y gradually. In architecture o n the other

regionalism: w h i c h , in itself, unfortunately, is not a panacea

hand, the prevailing technology changes every few dec­

since regionalism in architecture c a n c o m e alxiui i n t w o

ades. A n d e a c h time this happens, that point in the centre

quite different ways. T h e first consists of those designers

of o u r diagram moves to a new position:

w h o b o u n c e o f f the m i d d l e layer. T h e m a i n difference Isetween them a n d the so-called 'International' stylists is that their 'grab-bag* of images is somewhat more localised. But essentially, it is the same superficial process. O n the other hand, there is another process, q u i e different from the Jİrst, (hat also generates a regional architecture, expressing strong cultural roots. This process involves leaching the d e e p Structure i n the lowest layer. It is a far more difficult but far more r e w a r d i n g path. .Such architec­ ture does not merely fnan$ferimages (whether of local or foreign origin) but transforms them, by re-inventing them T o understand h o w this happens, w e must examine the

Architecture c o m e s into l x ' i n g at the point of resolution of

forces that generate architecture. T h e first of these is, o f

these four forces. Sometimes this point moves because of a

course, culture. This is like a great reservoir, calm and

shift in the basic cultural paradigm. This h a p p e n e d i n India

continuous, changing onfy very gradually o v e r the years.

w h e n the V e d i c concept o f architecture as a m o d e l o f the

T h e second is aspirations, w h i c h is d y n a m i c and volatile. It

Cosmos was replaced by the sacred values a n d imagery of

is very different from culture, though of course they interact

the Islamic Garden o f Paradise, w h i c h i n turn was overrun

continuously- Thus w h i l e some aspirations cam be quite

IJV the arrival of the Europeans with their mythic belief i n

ephemeral, others m a y become an integral part of culture.

science a n d rationality. In E u r o p e a n history, the change

A l l the arts are profoundly affected l>y shifts along the

from Romanesque to Gothic is pn>bably the expression o f

axis that runs between these t w o forces. Thus if w e repre­

i change i n technology, but that from G o t h i c to Renais­

sent a piece of architecture we all admire (for instance

sance is clearly the fall-out of a decisive shift a l o n g the

Registan Square in Samarqand or Charlies Cathedral i n

cultural-aspiration axis.

France) b y a central point i n a schema, then we c a n diagram their relationship i n this manner

Transfer and Transformation Changes a l o n g this cultural-aspiration axis a r e s l i a i e d by architecture with all the other arts, many of w h i c h , such as poetiy a n d music are indeed m u c h purer arts, since they d o not have to d e a l with the exigencies of the pragmatic a n d commercial w o r l d w e live in. Mo, it Ls the frequency a n d decisiveness of the tecbnofogical

changes that are unique

to architecture, and that m a k e it such a sensitive barometer tif the health a n d robustness of a particular society. This is why c ities, a n d the buildings they contain, are of such T i l e r e are t w o other forces (hat exert a far more primary influence o n architecture than they d o o n any of the other

decisive importance to the cultural historian. For w h e n w e have to stibsiiiute stone with steel, or

arts. O n e of these is climate. This i s a fundamental and

w o o d w i i h concrete, w e are faced with a challenge: we c a n

unchanging force. T h e architect must leam to master its

either use the n e w technologies to superficially irans/erthe

practical implications (sun angles, w i n d directions, etc) a n d

old images (hence the rake Gothic arches and Islamic domes,

go m u c h Further than this. For at a d e e p structure level,

that w e see all a r o u n d us), or we c a n transform them, re­

climate condition-, culture itself, its expression, its rites and

inventing the- architectural expression of the mythic values

rituals In itself, climate can b e c o m e the source o f m y t h , as

they represent. Hoth options w o r k , but there is a difference.

witness the metaphysical qualities attributed to open-to sky

The process of transfer is facile but debilitating. Transfor­

space from M e x i c o to Arabia a n d from India to J a p a n .

mation, o n the other hand, cliallcnges society a n d renews it

T h e fourth force acting o n architecture is technology. N o other a n feels its influence so directly. Musical instruments

14

as w e l l . This is the challenge, a n d the r e w a r d , that arehitecLine represents i n society every time the technology clianges.

Vistas

A prime e x a m p l e , i n o u r o w n century, is the w o r k o f Le Corhusier. Each o n e of his projects is the w o r k of u n L

h o m m e medtternmeen", yet n o n e uses a sloping red-died roof. What G>rhu.sierdid instead was to

rv-İnventÛtc

architecture they seek, an architecture w h i c h , at one a n d Ehe same time, is both regional as w e l l as universal. In this search, w e s h o u l d be 0|>en to n e w technologies, whenever appropriate a n d available, keeping intact o u r

Mediterranean ethos in twentieth-century materials.

o w n self-coniidence. w h e n , a n d w h y , does a society pause

Similarly in North America, the w o r k o f Louis Sullivan and

mid-strkle a n d doubt itself? T h e matter is indeed a delicate

his colleagues i n C h i c a g o genera red the energy w h i c h has

one. In the early eighties, w h e n they started d r i n k i n g Pepsi

luelled US architecture for a century or mote, hut the

C o l a i n C h i n a , one sensed instinctively that this was g o i n g

m o d u s operandi o f P o s t - M o d e m ism (looting the m i d d l e

to lie the l>cginning of the e n d , that eventually all of M a o s

layer o f W h a m - O imagery) has w e a k e n e d tliat same

C h i n a must unravel. O n the other h a n d , w h e n y o u see New

society because, at a fundamental level, it provides n o

Yorkers eating i n a Chinese restaurant, d o you panic a n d

nourishment.

think that this is the lirst step in the Cliinafication of America?

T h e Sacred a n d the Banal

Islam came out o f the Antbian deseit a n d spread towards

T h u s through recognising the value o f architecture w h i c h is

Iran a n d Y e m e n , it was full of confidence i n itself. It f o u n d

regional, w e can address issues w h i c h are u n i v e r s a l Kor all

w o n d e r f u l architecture w h i c h already existed in these

i m e architecture is, b y definition, regional. Not because it

places, w h i c h it just absorbed, ingested, made its very o w n .

reheats into a D i s n e y w o d d of facile imagery (History as

T h u s w h e n Islam arrived i n India, it discovered all k i n d s of

Caricature), bur because it expresses those prime forces

exotic marbles and precious stones w h i c h it h a d never seen

(culture, aspiration, climate) through using the technology

lielore, a n d these again were assimilated and internalised

T h e difference o f course is o n e o f self-confidence. W h e n

available at that particular point o n our planet. In this

with great self-confidence. A n d s o w e get Agra, Fatehpur-

profound sense, all the finest e x a m p l e s o f architecture i n

Sikri, M a n d u a n d many other masterpieces. A n d w e get the

history, from Tateh pur-Sikh i n Agra, to the temples o f N a r a ,

stunningly beautiful h o u s i n g typologies w e find in the hill

to the O a k Park houses of Frank Lloyd Wright, are all

towns of Y e m e n a n d the w i n d - c a t c h i n g houses of Iran, all

regional. Not because they exploit the superficial layers of

o f w h i c h , regardless of origin w e identify t<xlay with Islam

facile imagery, but because they m a k e contact with the

w h e r e has that self-confidence g o n e today?

1

deep structure that lies beneath, Kor it is through [his process that architecture expresses

Housiog a n d Habit

the sacred invisibilia thai underlie society, By sacred, o n e ,

This brings us toan
of course, means nor only that w h i c h is e v o k e d l*y religion,

A w a r d is vitally concerned, a n d w h i c h ts also o f fundamen­

but also b y nature, by the primordial a n d the mythic. T h e

tal importance to m u c h more than just [he M u s l i m w o r l d ,

Japanese tea c e r e m o n y a n d the bull Fights o f Spain are but

These are the issues w h i c h concern o u r housing, our cities

t w o examples. These o b v i o u s l y deal w i t h elements b u r i e d

a n d o u r environment.

deep İn i w r s u l x o n s c i o u s , such as the riveting centra lity of a house around a courtyard. T o cross the hot d^sen plain and arrive at such a house is an experience beyond the merely ptuflogenic. Something d e e p is stirred in our mind. perhaps the memory i>f a lt>sr paradise?

Tile building of the habitat w e have just lieen discussing, as everywhere i n the w o r l d , is an organic process, involv­ ing society as a w h o l e . T h e incredibly beautiful houses i n M y k o n o s , Rajasthan a n d Tahiti are not the b r a i n c h i l d of individual architects, hut the product o f tlie entile c o m m u ­

In this layer of invisibilia lie the roots of a r c h i e d u r e .

nity and its history. Kor p e o p l e can indeed p r o d u c e the

Perhaps this is what Louis K a h n was referring to w h e n he

housing they need as naturally a n d instinctively as birds

spoke of his y e a n l i n g o f the non-existent V o l u m e Z e r o of

b u i l d nests. In fact, habitat w h i c h addresses just about

History. 'Architecture' he said deals w i t h the recesses of the

e v e r y o n e of our contemporary concerns (balanced

m i n d , w'ith that w h i c h is not yet said, and not yet built.'

eco-sysiems, recycling o f wastes, h u m a n scale, cultural

In this context, are Islamic d o m e s eternal symbols o f a religion, or accidents of technology? If the latter, then perhaps it might tie better lor the architects of Hangladesh to search i n a deeper stratum of mythic intuition, as for instance, the Koranic G a r d e n of Paradise. H o w c a n the Char Bagh be expressed a n e w i n the lush tn>pical climate of b e n g a l ' I'erhaps from such questions may arrive the

identity a n d so f o n h )

tf/nWye.iiifsin

the vernacular

b u i l d i n g systems of p e o p l e throughout the w o d d . What does -rotexist is the urban context where these solutions are viable. This then Is o u r primary responsibility: to h e l p generate this contest. This is w h y w e must always pay the keenest attention to effons that attempt to provide the support stnicture. the

15

Ardnitecture for Islamic Societies

subsystems, w h i c h generate habitat, T h i s is o f crucial

FROM ABOVE.- Vieu- Üİ
ofFranb

importance to u r l u n centres, m n o n l y i n the Third W o r l d ,

Wrtfibi't Ruble İIonic,

in the

Weiie"biirg

h n i increasingly i n the industrialised nations as w e l l . A s o u r

Faiehpi-r

cities decay, the situation worsens. Those w h o suffer most

dawn ami

of all, o f course, are the poor. H o w c a n the architect, using professional skills, h e l p i n this process a n d not simply express a feeling or compas­ s i o n , like Florence Nightingale a m o n g the wounded? T h e answer İs hy not acting like a prima d o n n a prctessional. hut more modestly and anonymously. It is a role w h i c h has very important precedents. Throughout Asia, and else­ 7

where i n the w o r l d as well, the architects' prototype was the site mis'ri. that is an experienced mason/carpenter w h o h e l p e d with the design and constniciion of habitat. T h e extniordinarily high quality of these master artisans is evident not o n l y in housing, hut also i n the architectural masterpieces of history, i n fact, without these peerless craftsmen, the Taj M a h a l a n d Fateh pur-Si kri w o u l d have b e e n an impossibility; not o n l y i n their construction, bun i n the very conceptualisation of ihe architectural language itself. By totally undervaluing the decisive contribution o f these craftsmen to architecture, we have, o v e r l i e last few decades, discouraged t h e m to the point of extinction. O u r arrogance stems from a lack o f understanding of architecture a n d its relationship with the other arts. So w e design a b u i l d i n g and then put s o m e art into it, or a piece of sculpture in front of it, w h i c h is indeed myopic. A mural n e e d not just a d o r n a r o o m , it can, through the tension i l generates, totally change the dynamics of the space. This is what the frescos of Fra Filippo l.ippi d o to those courtyards in Florence, or the cave-paintings in Ajanta d o to the landscape without, or, for that mailer, the while a n d g o l d e n cherubs of the n>cocu churches of Austria, flying in from the w i n d o w s , l i e c k o n i n g i n the daylight. Il is important that w e understand and clarify i n our minds the roles of the various players such as builders, architects a n d clients, involved in the creation of architect tire a n d w h y sometimes it succeeds, a n d w h y sometimes it fatls.

T h e Processes of Archiiecrure This is indeed an important question. W h e n one looks at the architecture in the countries around the Gulf, one Ls aware of the incredible mismatch I x a w e c n the high quality of the architects w h o were c o m m i s s i o n e d for the projects a n d (in far too may cases) the l o w quality of the results. W h y does this happen? it is irrelevant that a numlx^r of the architects involved are foreigners. O n the contrary, w h e n the city of C h a n d i g a r h i n India was b e i n g designed b y Le Corbusier forty years ago, many p e o p l e w o n d e r e d : don't Indian architects object to this key project being assigned to

cupola fresco by Damlam

Abbey Chıtrçh.

the

Sikri seem in blend ıtllb dusk

Uayd rococo

of It/cid red sa-nflsKme make* ili sitrroundfiRi.

particularly

al

Visus

a Foreigner? I always replied; N o , o n the contrary, W e are

of Industry', one suspects that all he may really have b e e n

Lucky to get Corbusier. H e takes architecture very seriously.

trying to d o was solicit for clients - w h o . luckily for h i m ,

W e c a n o n l y profit liy his example. This indeed proved to

did not s w a l l o w the bait. If the G u l f B o o m had occurred i n

l i e True; i n t w o important ways. Firstly lieeauseleCiirlHisier's

the thirties, C o H i u s i e r might w e l l have got i n v o l v e d - and

w o r k was ai [he culling edge of architecture, and India

ruined - i n the process. As I said l>efore^ India was lucky to

suddenly m o v e d to centre stage as the focus of attention

get Corbusier. But he, too, was lucky to get India. Here he

for the w h o l e profession. P e o p l e came from all over the

met clients w h o believed in the seriousness of architecture,

w o r l d to see C h a n d i g a r h a n d A h m e d a h a d , Far from feeling

and what it c o u l d d o to our lives.

they were w o r k i n g i n some w e i r d c o m e r of D i s n e y l a n d . Indian architects felt part of [he mainstream and still d o today. Secondly y o u n g Indian architects had an extraordi­ nary o p p o r t u n i t y to team f r o m Le Corbusicr's architecture. This was i n d e e d true. Not only d i d y o u n g Indian archi­

Coda I can never forget the brilliant address that the scientist a n d humanist J a c o b B r o n i i w s k i gave at the summation o f the 1967 A s p e n Design Conference o n ' O r d e r a n d D i s o r d e r .

tects l e a m from his extraordinary buildings, but also from

Computers were then the newest bu/zwi>rd a m o n g

exposure to the titan himself. H i s contract w i t h the G o v e r n ­

architects a n d designers, a n d there seemed to l>c no e n d to

ment o f Punjab stipulated that he s p e n d a month o n site in

the w o n d e r s they w o u l d achieve. l i r o n o w s k i t o o k a less

Chandigarh, twice a year. This was i n a d d i t i o n to his

optimistic v i e w . H e illustrated this b y e x a m i n i n g the o l d

collaborators Pierre Jeanneret, Jane D r e w a n d Maxwell Fry.

proposition that 'a m o n k e y p e c k i n g randomly at a key­

w h o resided there full-time o n contracts w h i c h lasted

board w o u l d , s o o n e r or later, type out the entire w o r k s o f

several years. T h u s the interface with India (and with

William Shakespeare'. B r o n o w s k i was sporting: he t<x>k

Indian architects) was considerable, a n d mutually benefi­

not the w h o l e w o r k s , but just the sonnets; a n d not all the

cial. W e h a d in-depth access 10 creative processes of the

sonnets but the celebrated one w h i c h starts with:

highest order. At the same time, b e i n g e x p o s e d to the climatic a n d living conditions of the Punjab was o f i m ­ mense benefit to Le Corbusier not to mention the feedback from the users o f his buildings.

Shalt i çımıfmıv

linv t" a summı/r's

Than aii MOTS tmnty and

day?

tttOJV tcnpcitik'.

In fact, B r o n o w s k i took only the first t w o lines - a n d s h o w e d it w o u l d indeed take a great d e a l of time to finish

This arrangement was not unique, i n their design of New-

these t w o lines by random selection, ç\(?n if the m o n k e y

Delhi i n the twenties the contracts of E d w i n Lutyens a n d

were to b y replaced by the fastest mainframe computer,

Herbeit b a k e r stipulated thai they reside continuously for

l i r o n o w s k i gave us his calculation for each consecutive

six months a year i n Delhi for the duraik>n of (he project,

w o r d , but w h e n he reached the last w o r d of the second

This was of decisive importance ro the success o f the ven­

line, he s t o p p e d a n d said: Y o u k n o w , any of us w o u l d

ture, since it a l l o w e d t h e m to a l t s o r b a far m i n e vivid under­

k n o w that this w o r d must have three syllables - but only

standing of the country, its climate, its culture and its |X.-oplc

Shakespeare w o u l d have thought of this extraordinary

In contrast, most architects i n the G u l f g e l by with a kind of parachute planning a n d designing w h i c h is quite horrendous. They fly i n for a f e w days (or hours) o n pro|ects m u c h larger than Chandigarh, w h a t is their exposure to the locals? A n d vice versa? It seem , clear that 7

w o r d : temperate'. T o b r o n o w s k i , neither Art n o r Science is the product of r a n d o m action. As he put it: i f Nature wants to produce honey, it first produces the liee. If Mature wants poetry, she first produces M a n . ' So perhaps w h e n Nature wanted the exquisite architec­

there is (or s h o u l d lie) a difference between anhitecfure

ture of the Alhambra, she first p r o d u c e d the M u s l i m . F o r

and carpetbagging. A n d the clients s h o u l d |->e astute

w h e n w e l o o k at the incredible range a n d l>eauty of islamic

enough to understand this. They must not only insist o n a

Architecture d o w n the centuries, are w e not also l o o k i n g at

far more lengthy interface, l>ut they must also t i k e an

societies w h o through the elimination of sculpture and

intelligent interest i n what the architect is trying to achieve.

painting and the reliance o n calligraphy, through the non­

If they don't, then they have o n l y themselves to blame.

availability' of tensile materials a n d the reliance o n masonry

N o building can t>e lietter than the architect w h o designs it, or the contractor w h o builds it, or, o n e could a d d , of the client w h o commissions it. This is where the rich clients around the G u l f have some soul-searching to CO- Years later, reading some of C o r b u s i c r s writing from the thirties, in which he appeals somewhat effusively to t h e Captains

vaults a n d d o m e s were meant to p r o d u c e architecture of a n incredibly h i g h order? Not just the great architects w h o are justly celebrated in hisiory, but also more h u m b l e practi­ tioners. T o return to those standards, might it not necessi­ tate a n analysis of that ptogrammiJig, and its re-invention i n 1

the context of the aspirations a n d technologies of o u r times?

17

Ensuring a Future for the Past RONALD LEWCOCK

T i m e , not m a n , makes architecture' fGarcrtaİcrr^ıJ- T h i s

factor Ls the caution taken in [he use of n e w materials. That

line, written b y a great Spanish m o d e m poet, explains w h y ,

is, to study the consequences of their physical a n d chemi­

for many people, prolonging die life of buildings is a n

cal interaction with o l d materials a n d their different weath­

important p a n of ihe w o r k o f the contemporary architect.

ering properties, such as cement, plastic a n d a l u m i n i u m .

O n e of the l?est justifications o f the specialised skill o f the

T h e three conservation projects w h i c h received A w a r d s

architect is that he or she makes possible the continuation

in 1983 were all individual buildings, but each had a strong

into the future of valuable qualities o f the environment,

contextual component. T h e Shah Rukn-i-AJam tomb i n

form, texture, material, a n d of detail a n d decoration, that

Multan has historically dominated the city from a site high

w o u l d Otherwise disappear. By signalling buildings and

o n the former citadel. Its dilapidated state, before conserva­

towns for special care, the architect distinguish>?s them

tion was undertaken, h a d a deprevsing effect o n an ancient

from [heir fellows, emphasising their potential :o serve the

but vital city of craftsmen and artists.

ends Lorca proposes for t h e m . But this skill also has dangers. Since die action of time o n buildings is judged to b e a n important factor, it does not d o to rebuild them, to create pristine forms a n d details, to replace the patina of age w i t h s p a n k i n g n e w materials a n d textures, to put n e w l y carved decoration i n the place o f o l d . T o o much a c k n o w l ­ edgement of the contemporary w o u k l defeat its o w n purpose. T h i s poses a d i l e m m a Ibrthecorıserver c>f individual b u i l d ­ ings, a n d even more for the conserver of urban areas. In i n c l u d i n g the category o f architectural conservation as

T h e Azero Palace i n Damascus o c c u p i e d a historic site i n the ancient s o u k area close to the great O m a y y a d Mosque o f a l - W a l i d . A s die largest accessible private d w e l l i n g i n the historic centre, a focus for the revival of ans a n d crafts as w e l l as a m u s e u m o f traditional culture, its deplorable c o n d i t i o n had b e c o m e a s y m b o l of decline i n the o l d city. T h e third project was actually intended b y its sponsor, the G e r m a n ArcJraeologicaJ Institute i n Cairo, to have a direct impact o n urban rehabilitation i n the o l d city. B y selecting for conservation five historic buildings i n one

p a n of the Aga K h a n A w a r d , the organisers were concerned

traditional quarter, it h o p e d to provide for the people of the

with t w o problems that seemed e n d e m i c to the countries of

n e i g h b o u r h o o d a n exemplar that w o u l d encourage them to

islam: firstly, that many buildings in Islamic countries were

undertake the renovation of their o w n houses. It was

neglected a n d i n a state of disintegration. T h e second

thought that such a seed planted i n the o l d city might g r o w

p r o b l e m is that some attempts at conservation, regardless

and spread to other areas. Here, the conservation w o r k was

of the best intentions had failed. It was not u n c o m m o n to

initially undertaken b y an architectural historian, D r

see buildings o n w h i c h considerable sums had b e e n spent

Michael Meinecke, w h o achieved remarkable success with

Jess than a decade before, again falling into disrepair.

the first b u i l d i n g l o b e renovated, the Madrasa a l - A n u k l -

So in premiating conservation as one of the aspects of the Aga K h a n A w a r d , the organisers w i s h e d tofocus attention o n projects, w h i c h h a d d e v e l o p e d conservation strategies, that promised to be successful o n every level, a n d might therefore be studied as models for other projects, i n the case of individual buildings, success was f o u n d to

Subsequently, a y o u n g architect, Philip Speiser, joined the project a n d , after M e i n e c k e s departure for Syria, c o m ­ pleted the projects. T h e w o r k of this team was character­ ised b y the great care taken to locate a n d use the last of the master craftsmen surviving i n Cairo, a n d b y the willingness o f the architects to learn traditional techniques a n d use them wherever possible. It is notable that the m o n e y

be primarily d u e to three factors. The first of these is research

received from the A w a r d was itself used to undertake

into the true causes of deterioration in the stntctureand

another major conservation project adjoining the earlier

materials. T h e second factor is the respect for the principle

w o r k , the renovation of the Madrasa of M o h a m m e d Nasr.

of using, as far as possible i n the conservation work, the original b u i l d i n g materials a n d craftsmanship. O n l y if this

T h e impact of the Cairo project proved to be both

were d i m e w o u l d weathering soon cause the repair to lx_-

e n c o u r a g i n g a n d disappointing. T h e restored buildings,

invisible, a n d the natural ageing process of the whole-

hitherto derelict, were generally put to use by the local

b u i l d i n g be a l l o w e d to continue uninterrupted. T h e third

inhabitants or the authorities. T h e t w o religious buildings

IS

became mosques w h i c h n o w actively serve the c o m m u -

FROM A HO ¥£: Aerial i-icte ufOld

nity. Bui (he Impact o f the five conserved buildings w a s not

been destroyed due If tlrtl Strife. Ibe einbteenth<enittty AZem

seen Eo affect the condition o f the remainder o f the envi-

Is one of ibe ••• •.r-• i Inlricale

ronment There were a number o f reasons, both local to

Aasa

rhc quarter a n d generic to the o l d city, to w h i d l this may l»e

Ol'UflfiAF

attributed Absentee o w n e r s h i p , prevailing poverty dis-

Cairn, towards

putes between neighl>ours all coniributed to mitigate

Ibe

against the spin-off effects o f i m p r o v i n g the major m o n u -

Qirmiz

afI •.. manene

stone banding

Jfni^ur.

Hanim

A nea

seiX'H

bus reuretlahh

arthimture

al-Sburif. femsatem.

nOU Palate

— sbnu-nin

Ibr

uftbeAl-

irdb pamii-d

"mttf.

li/ubirtR mritb al\ >:.- ibe main street itf btsttmc

sabd-kallab

ilrtiCtum

reslirration

irbith

Oil tbtr facade: Ibe Inner dome

named after ibe Faiamid ibe

Mostnr.

if

ndc Abd

restored prti%ranime

as

al-Miazt

illtin

at-Rabman ibe

fit Old

first

Aliab.

Kaibiidn. pbasi

of

luobinn "ne

the

of Durh

• • •• -

ments. But a significant factor also seemed to be the feeling that the conservation work was d o n e b y a n d for foreign tourists and therefore it w a s not ultimately fudged b y them to be a concern o f the p e o p l e o f the c ^ g h l x H i r h o o d A salutary Lesson, nevertheless, but the conservation work o f the G e r m a n Archaeological Institute remains some Of the best renovation w o r k o f its kind ever done i n the o l d city o f Cairo, an inspiration to all o n h o w m u c h can

achieved

on very l o w budgets to conserve at least some of the architectural masterpieces from the great ages of Islam. T h e conservation o f the Shah K u k n - i - A l a m tomb in Multan w a s undertaken by a senior architect, Walli Ullah Khan, w h o had already distinguished himself with the conservation o f the Badshahi Mosque i n Lahore. In advanced age, and with a pair o f younger assistants, he undenook the w o r k s o f conservation o f the tomb, w h i c h had developed a major split d u e to the movement o f its foundations a n d was generally i n an advanced and ugly state o f dilapidation. In preparation for this work the A w q a f arranged tor the restoration o f the surrounding fort wall by other authorities, a n d this w o r k has unfortunately proved to be faulty. The tomb itself was conserved b y walli Ullah Khan i n an exemplary fashion, using traditional Techniques almost exclusively. A major effort w a s made to locate craftsmen w h o understood the ancient techniques o f tile making, and even more itti|>jrtantly. to locate sources o f the mineral deposits for the unique c o l o u r e d glazes o f the original tiles. A n aged descendant Jiaving l>een f o u n d o f the family w h o originally made tiles for the tomb, six hundred years before, it proved possible to revive a cmft w h i c h seemed completely lost, and to restore the unic;ue heritage of tile decoration t>f the tomb in all its original glory, to the way it must have l o o k e d in the fourteenth century. This w o r k was preceded b y the most painstaking reconstruction and strengthening o f the original stmcture and repair o f its brickwork. Although the tomb has l?een so thoroughly resumed that some o f its patina o f age has b e e n lost, the great achievement o f the conservation project was t w o f o l d : major medieval craft industry i n Multan has been revived and continues to flourish, a n d the tomb uiday is revealed, for the first Lime i n centuries, as o n e o f die great achievements o f Islamic architecture o n the Indian sulxontinent.

I"

Architecture for [rfantic Societies

T o e A / e m Palace h a d b e e n damaged in warfare during

work o n streets, services a n d p u b l i c monuments. This

tile French occupation of Syria. A l t h o u g h restored i n the

demonstration of the self-sustaining ability tti urban

thirties, neglect a n d inadequate repairs had l e d to its

conservation was unfortunately brought to an e n d b y the

returning to an a d v a n c e d state of deterioration l>y the

conflict i n his country, with Mostar suffering m o r e datnage

seventies. It was the love and dedication of one of the

than many other centres. It is to be h o p e d that the s u o n g

curators of the m u s e u m i n the palace, Shafiq al-lmam,

condition to w h i c h the buildings had b e e n returned w i l l

w h i c h then led to its successful conservation. He super-

have reduced the damage they might otherwise have

vised each stage o f the w(>rk a n d undertook the Location

received, and thai the e x a m p l e of Stari-Grad's w o r k will

and training o f Ehe craftsmen e m p l o y e d o n it. The result is

inspire tiie eventual restoration of Mostar a n d many other

the return to its full beauty of one of the most magnificent

towns like it i n that country.

examples of the legendary Damascus islamic palaces. T h e A w a r d is said to have made a considerable impact, encouraging other conservation w o r k oFthe kind in adjoining 1

areas o f the o l d city of Damascus, H o w can the o l d be kept side b y side with the new? T h e

A l s o g i v e n a n A w a r d i n 1986 was the conservation of one of the most hallowed shrines i n the Islamic w o r l d ,

the

Al-Aqsa Mosque adjoining the D o m e of the Rock in Jerusalem- The A w a r d initiative stressed the restoration w o r k o n the d o m e of the mosque, w h i c h h a d deteriorated to such a

answer suggests a plurality of values that o n l y ihe most

degree that water leakage had effectively obliterated the

sophisticated w i l l be likely to share, an attitude that w i l l l i e

valuable painted decoration o n the inner surface. All this

constantly u n d e r threat i n a w o r l d that advocates nn>demity

was saved, die roof reconstructed, the paintings r e l u m e d to

and creative change. Even if isolated monuments m a y be

their former brightness and the w o r k extended to e n c o m -

a l l o w e d to survive i n this w a y , like the ancient R o m a n

pass the w h o l e of the rest o f the mosque and the structures

temple n o w serving as a c h u r c h in the m a i n street o f Assisi,

of the gates a n d fountains of the f i a r a m b e y o n d . Encour-

the protection of a w h o l e urban area does seem e q u i v o c a l .

aged b y the A w a r d , conservation of the great building o f

It w o u l d d e m a n d adjustments to an individual's expecta-

the D o m e of the Rock itself is n o w being studied.

tions o f the environment, a n d to the community's attitude to functioning of the city and w o u l d require a strung consensus to succeed. So far, o n l y i n extreme cases, such as V e n i c e , has a majority b e e n prepared to sacrifice its expectations of the urlxrn environment a n d forfeit Its dependence o n the car. T h e first project for the conservation of an entire o l d city

A s part of the 19H6 Awards, honourable m e n t i o n was made o f the w o r k of the T o u r i n g and A u t o m o b i l e Association i n Istanbul in conserving a n u m b e r of historic buildings, many of w h i c h had b e e n pavilions i n royal parks. In addition, the T o u r i n g Association undertook the conservation of large numbers of o l d timlier houses i n t w o areas adjoining historic monuments. T h e first is around the

centre to receive a n A w a r d was that o f Mostar in Y u g o s l a -

K a r i y e C a r n i i , where it also repaved the streets, restored the

via i n 19^6. Here, one man, D z i h a d Pasic, w h o h a d for-

local fountain house and conserved a major teaching

merly b e e n a regional conservation officer, took the

school of the seventeenth century for use as a craft s c h o o l

initiative, b y forming an organisation, Stari-Grad, w h i c h

T h e second area lies between c h e T o p k a p i Palace a n d

persuaded the municipality of Mostar to waive taxes a n d

Hagia Sophia, where the conserved a n d reconstmcted

concede control o f services i n a small area o n either side of

houses w i l l l i e used as hotels a n d o n e as a library of the

the famous single s p a n bridge crossing the N'eietva River.

Association.

W h i l e the b u i l d i n g s a n d streets were l x : i n g brought back to the appearance they had a century earlier, the bridge itself was thoroughly studied a n d conserved. T h e demonstrable success o f this first phase made it relatively easy for Pasic to persuade the authorities to grant h i m the same opportunities i n a further thirty buildings s u r r o u n d i n g the first /one. T h e enthusiasm engendered by this phase i n visitors and t o w n s p e o p l e alike enabled h i m to further extend his operations until, at the outbreak of civil war, the entire area o f the seventeenth-century t o w n was part o f the conservation scheme- B y conserving, renovating a n d i n a f e w cases reconstructing the old c o m m e r c i a l and residential b u i l d i n g s o f the t o w n , Stari-Grad was able to finance conservation

20

Urban conservation involves tackling p u b l i c institutions, those organs o f society a n d o f government tltat control the structure of urban life, u p to the very highest realms of authority. T o do this the architect has to take o n a n e w responsibility. To persuade [he heads of these institutions that their hard-fought goals a n d standards may be aband o n e d i n die very places w h e r e the l>artle t)egan, the old urban centres, to a l l o w values to survive that they had always thought s h o u l d t>e swept a w a y . N o w o n d e r that urban conservation, if successful, is a s l o w business, involving l o n g and patient campaigns to enjoin the general p u b l i c a n d government officials alike to appreciate the values of their o w n cities a n d to accept willingly

Ensuring 3 ftKure tor the Past

the need for strategies to protect a n d preserve lliem. Implementing urban conseivation brings the architect In") unfamiliar collaborations. K e e p i n g a traditional urban

tear d o w n buildings damaged i n the war in Lebanon and replace them with new structures. T h e Aga K h a n A w a r d is c o n t i n u i n g TO d r a w attention to

area functioning traditionally and yet i n step with m o d e r n

the importance of the specialised aspect of the w o r k of

times, as far as sanitation, services a n d ease of access is

architects that deals w i t h the care o f o l d buildings a n d

1

concerned, means w o r k i n g with teams o f experts in water

arban areas. In addition to devoting s o m e awards to

supply, drainage, sewerage, road a n d p u b l i c transport

conservation, the A w a r d is n o w involved, through its

design. T h e n e e d for amenities involves the architect with

parent organisation, the Aga K h a n Trust l o r Culture, i n a

electricity, telephone, television, ambulance, fire-fighting,

Historic Cities Support Program in aiding the international

school a n d medical p l a n n i n g , to name but a few. A m o n g

attempt to achieve these goals.

the myriad decisions that have to be made are the types of paving in the streets that w o u l d b l e n d most suitably with the traditional environment, whether there should he sidewalks to protect pedestrians or not a n d if they m a y be our of character with the o l d area, if mocorised vehicles should be admitted at all a n d if so, whether this access should l i e limited to certain times o f day. In addition, there are also questions of h o w 10 reverse

Islamic buildings were generally built o n the assumption that they w o u l d receive continual maintenance. T h e advanced decay n o w threatening many of the buildings a n d t o w n s o f the Islamic w o r l d is of serious concern to everyone w h o admires the extraordinary level of h u m a n achievement that they represent. T h e situation is similar from M o r o c c o to Indonesia, T h e issues ate generally the same a n d the conflicts a n d problems are often exactly

Immigration out o f the old areas a n d c o p i n g with social

duplicated. O n l y b y m a k i n g enormous efforts to save them,

change: of i m p r o v i n g the e c o n o m i c base o f former city

with singular clearness of purpose, determination a n d the

centres so that they m a y continue to be self-su^aining; of

development of specialised skills, is there a n y chance that

relating the new urban areas to the o l d : of deal n g w i t h the

this heritage can be preserved into the future without the

plurality of lifestyles a n d of dealing with the specialised a n d

loss of the unique qualities that were celebrated by Lorca.

unusual transportation systems that such conservation projects m a y need if they are to lie successful.

The Fourth Award Cycle Tile urlran conservation o f a coastal t o w n in Morocco, Asilah, resulting from the enthusiastic initiative of leading members of the local p o p u l a t i o n , received an A w a r d in T o achieve this, attention was first d r a w n to the small t o w n by the establishment of an Arts Festival in 1978, w h i c h eventually became the most celebrated and heavily attended festival of its kind i n M o r o c c o . Using incentives brought in by this success, the initiators were able to obtain backing for the improvement of the infrastmcture a n d services i n the t o w n , a n d for the restoration o f the major buildings. Thus encouraged, many citizens embarked o n the private conservation of the o l d houses in the t o w n . Eventually, one of the principal activists i n Asilah became the Minister of Culture i n the government, a n d was able to participate in The presentation c e r e m o n y of the A w a r d representing his country. A second A w a r d in 1989 was g i v e n fort he conservation of the Great O m a n M o s q u e i n Skfon, w h i c h had lieen severely damaged during fighting in Lebanon seven years before. T h e conservation w o r k was judged exceptional in its attention to the qualities of the original building, a n d the A w a r d Jury particularly d r e w attention to the value o f this project as a model i n resisting the w i d e s p r e a d tendency to

21

Complexity , Coexistence a n d Plurality 1

SÜHA Ö Z K A N

Modernity a n d tradition as t w o diametrically opposite

the n e w buildings w h i c h w o u l d accommodate n e w

perspectives in life have substantially o c c u p i e d the intellec-

lifestyles. T o provide that infrastmeture meant vision a n d

tual agenda o f the present century. Modernity, f o l l o w i n g i n

p l a n n i n g and more cost to the investors o r the p u b l i c

the footsteps o f industrial revolution, has sought continu-

secUff. S o it was ignored. T h e sad o p t i o n was d e m o l i s h i n g

ous change, a better future, w i d e distribution of amenities,

the o l d a n d b u i l d i n g the n e w o n the same land where the

an aesthetic o f plenty a n d other attributes related to the

amenities existed. Modernity - o r change - inevitably a n d

times. Interestingly it f o u n d a strong basis o f existence i n

unnecessarily became a pretext for destruction. Conse-

Ix'th liberal a n d authoritarian societies as it has politically

quently, w h e n the excitement subsided, it h a d to be

formed an appealing future to enable many to have access

b l a m e d for such destruction. O b v i o u s l y this d i d not have

to global resources- In the w i d e s p r e a d a n d o v e r - p o w e r i n g

m u c h to d o w i t h M o d e r n i s m , its teaching o r ideology.

presence o f modernity, traditionalism has kept a very l o w

Regardless o f modernity, the s o called conveniences have

profile. Nevertheless, it has always Iseen present i n almost

brought s o many other problems into u t b a n life, that in a

every society with a particular mission to maintain certain

very s l u m p e r i o J o f time, what was referred to as moder-

values w h i c h were i n danger o f b e i n g lost to change. ]n the

nity collapsed. T h e causes for the failure were not simple,

case o f our present century, such change lias inevitably

and had few identifiable apixircnidetenninanLS. T h e y were

responded to the demands o f modernity.

manifold. V o c a l traditionalists w h o liad l>een intellectualis-

In facr modernity has b e e n an over-arching ambition for many nations, not o n l y as a political ideal, as it has b e e n formulated by many p o w e r f u l leaders since the e n d o f W o r l d War I, but also as a n e w w a y o f life. After W o r l d War II the societies o f both the Fast a n d the West hsve witnessed the massive destmctiim o f their cultural a n d architectural heritage i n order for the "new to replace it. L

This process o f replacement has favoured the 'newer' as w e l l as t h e m o d e r n ' version. T e c h n o l o g y a n d mass pn>duction have provided s o many different solutions for o l d problems that to ignore their contribution w o u d b e synonymous with foolishness. T h e total system o f o u r immediate environment has changed with the provision o f conveniences like: heaters, refrigerators, cleaners, washers, closets, etc . . . all o f w h i c h d i d riot exist i n the traditional w a y o f life. Furniture has also l>ecn transformed as the habits o f the people became m o d e r n ' . T h e buildings as shells containing these functions c o u l d not l>e an e x c e p tion. Since architecture possessed the great p o w e r o f reflecting life-styles, they transformed faster than any other. Therefi we architecture has b e e n caught i n the changing idiom earlier than many other aspects o f life. The final c o n * sequence iff this eliartge may more appropriately b e regarde d as the demolition o f what had existed at a gigantic scale. in the cities o f the Third W o r l d , where the population pressure has t>een e n o n n o u s , there have not l)een e x p a n sive n e w areas with the infrastmcture necessary to establish

ing the a n t i - m o d e m discourse d i d not hesitate to blame modernity for everything that went wn>ng. W h e n they were a small minority the media d i d not pay attention. D u e to increased p u b l i c concent, the media f o u n d the traditionalist discourse interesting a n d joined them to incriminate M o d e r n i s m . Mot at the large, societal scale but i n the realm of architecture a n d p l a n n i n g , the failure has been d u e to incompetence, lack o f insight, concern, vision a n d talent. As these were c o m p l i c a t e d to deal with, certain segments o f the media have preferred a simpler m e s s a g e T h e polar d i c h o t o m y o f the modern jfid tr&diliontiSwA*,

soon

invented, a n d manifested itself i n the urban form. It needed more time to be visible as it l i a d more subtle undertones, w h i c h emerged i n other aspects ol' life.

There is another aspect o f M o d e r n i s m w o r t h d w e l l i n g u p o n w h i c h Ls its claim for universality . In the sixties many 7

philosophers were speculating a glol>al culture in w h i c h the mass media values, a n d the m e d i u m o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n w o u l d sliare a n d d e v e l o p . W h e n these discussions were taking place satellite television was not k n o w n a n d video tape was a tare c o m m o d i t y o n l y affordable b y professional studios. T h e eighties witnessed a s h r i n k i n g w o r l d w h e r e conscience a n d culture were also to be shared globally. T h e p h e n o m e n a o f various news a n d entertainment networks became the reference sources o f a global information flow. T h e new values a n d realities o f information a n d entertainment became a pant o f the glolxtl network. In

25

Architecture for fskunk" Societies

addition TO this, the local networks reinterpreted or redis-

reflected the 'global" has been "modern icy \ it hits, conceptu-

tributed these broadcasts, w h i c h eventually reinforced a n d

ally, close association with heing "in touch with the times',

w i d e n e d their influence. This occurred i n spite o f rather

interna tiimal, a n d all the subsequent associations w i t h

worrisome questions like: W h o o w n s ihe media? W h o

universality. T h e other pole of 'traditional' values has been

decides o n the priorities? W h o l>enefits i n the end? Never-

referred i o as l i e i n g local, contained a n d related to the

theless, the factual correctness of their content as w e l l as

conservation of the historical continuity.

repetition secured their credibility. T h e competition for

In architectural theory M o d e r n i s m h a d unrivalled

others io join i n , guaranteed control. This brought plurality

hegemony until it was challenged by counter movements

into existence a l l o w i n g people choices. Dramatic changes

like post-modernism, Classicism a n d traditionalism. At the

in the eighties occurred as political c a m p s collapsed a n d a

present time architectural discourse is characterised by a

l o n g i n g for a more universal a n d perhaps more

tendency of duality. T w o lines of thought coexist, w h i c h

h o m o g e n i s e d w o r l d emerged, all o w i n g to the influence o f

each deny the relevance of the other.

the media. T h e information f l o w that had b e e n m o n o p o lised by newspapers a n d was exclusively available to literate a n d multi-lingual elite became accessible to the general p u b l i c via telecast media. G l o b a l networks have

Between global a n d local p i l a r i t i e s the p e n d u l u m of concerns has n o w s w u n g in a rather confusing a r c What has b e e n intellectually a n d professionally rather unhealthy has l>een the lack of dialogue between the proponents of

gained p o w e r b y transforming Local issues into global ones.

the extremes and the accusative nature o f the discourse.

A l l local events regardless of b e i n g political, cultural or

Traditionalism a n d its derivations have cast M o d e r n i s m i n

climatic became material for wider distdilution a n d global

the role of villain, responsible for the ills of present day

consumption- i n return, what used to l>eglobai became of

urban a n d environmental chaos and disaster. Modernists, in

local concern. As famine i n Sudan became an international

defence have labelled their attackers as the ones without a

priority, the b o k i n the o z o n e layer became a local subject.

sense of future, retrogressive escapists from reality. Mcxl-

G l o b a l awareness anticipated in the sixties, became reality

emists are portrayed as the aggressive transformers of the

in the eighties.

environment a n d the traditionalists as romantics w h o

T h e cultural implications o f this n e w information H o w a n d its network are c o m p l e x . They definitely deserve attention as the sensors a n d c o m m u n i c a t i o n patterns of an emerging culture. It is also essential to none the p o w e r that this network has o n o u r global existence, dictating the values of our natural a n d built environment. What is very interesting is the t w o w a y action of the emerging glolxtl c o m m u j i i c a t i o n network. A s it projects values of the universal global existence it has to g o to the local scene to generale material liirthe interest of the wider public. Therefore new Information is simultaneously injected into the media to be shared b y all. B e it cultural, political or natural the seeds o f coexistence are s o w n b y the same information flow. H o w e v e r abstract it might have l>een. global ism began to

demand nothing but a peaceful life of the k i n d that existed before the industrial revolution. Architecture, as the melting pot o f all cultural expression, has shared i n this polarisation and b e c o m e ideologically charged. In fact, the ideological conflict between tradttionality a n d modernity may not exactly be seen as b e i n g manifested in m o d e r n or traditional architecture- Rut, the undertone of the ideological discourse is pervasive and architect!]re a n d urban p l a n n i n g are exceptional i n this regard. T i l e w i d e l y advocated failure of M o d e r n i s m has brought traditionalism to the foreground as an alternative solution. Many architectural theorists, especially f r o m the m i d seventies o n w a r d , diagnosed traditional built e n v i r o n ments, w h i c h grew a n d matured o v e r the course of a l o n g

occur i n the field of architecture as early as thenineteen-

period of time with the participation of all aspects of the

twenties a n d thirties. W h e n M o d e r n i s m became the

sodety as a remedy for all. Was it possible to revive tradi-

franca

lingua

of architecture and design, it gained the p o w e r to

tion? Was M o d e r n i s m the sole cause fbtf environmental

express a n i l strongly reflect many aspirations of c o n t e m p o -

deterioration? In time it lieeame clear that there is no clear

raneity, regardless of geography, history or culture. With its

answer to either question Ixrc-ause time has taken its loll

high regard for advanced technology, mass p r e d i c t i o n ,

a n d society has transformed the Ixtsic relationships be¬

honesty of expression a n d the materials associated w i t h it.

tween society a n d production. T h e built environment is

this tendency has increased since then. M o d e r n i s m is n o w

o n l y o n e reflection o f these relationships. M o d e r n i s m lias

c o n c e i v e d as the equivalent of 'global' a n d traditionalism

never been the cause but has o n l y indicated the w a y in

has b e c o m e 'local . In the meantime, serious concerns have

w h i c h to c o p e with the relationships between technology

arisen about the role o f architecture, not a s a reflection o f

a n d u r i x m society. O n the contrary established M o d e r n i s m

extremes but o f daily life. T h e design language w h i c h hits

lias certain ethical principles in order to deal with the

1

24

Complexity, Coexistence a n d Plurality

problems o f plenty. A serious search of" the issues l i e h i n d

signalled these issues to the wider p u b l i c a n d the profes­

environmental deterioration has not been undertaken.

sion. With the announcement of the projects the arcliiiec-

Certain facts have n o w been formulated in a raher simple,

turaj pn>fe.ssion observed the establishment of new priori­

axiomatic f o n u . T h e apparent causes for such problems are

ties. It also noticed that the boundaries of its profession liad

n o w considered rol>e the following: existence of the cultural

been forced o p e n a n d redefined. T h e social awareness of

values i n the built environment; continuity lsenveen the

the profession was m u c h more visible than ever liefbrc a n d

past and present; a sense of identity; consideration of

areas of b u i l d i n g activity w h i c h were never thought to

climate a n d a n e e d l o r user l o r c o m m u n i t y ) participation.

b e l o n g to the profession became visible. For instance. T h e

W h e n H i s Highness T h e Aga K h a n established his A w a r d for Architecture, in very broad terms these were the issues which had been substantially disregarded by the architects

K a m p u n g Improvement Projects took the |>rofession by surprise and insrigated a w h o l e n e w attitude, f l i e 1986Jury indicted M o d e r n i s m a n d passed a strong

w h o were consequently held responsible for creating an

judgement in favour o f traditionalism a n d p o p u l i s m as a

inharmonious environment. Ills c o n c e r n was primarily for

remedy for the ills of modernity. Ky d o i n g so the Jury

the Muslim W o r l d w h i c h was dramatically negL^cted. In

c o n f i n e d the realm of their awards to a particular

retrospect the last twelve years s h o w us that the A w a r d has

architectural ideology within w h i c h solutions s h o u l d be

been the o n l y institutional, discursive p l a t l b m i where a

seen to lie viable. T l i a i area was the theoretical d o m a i n of

genuine search was undertaken to e x p l o r e solutions for

Classicism, vernacularism, p o p u l i s m a n d coniextnalism. A l l

our limes b y enhancing the cultural cinnent thiit w o u l d

of these approaches r e s e c t e d whatever h a d l>een existing

restore meaning a n d depth to people a n d environment.

in the sociery a n d the direction for the future was o n l y

The Aga K h a n A w a r d for Architecture has situated itself in

indicated i n perpetuating the theoretical lines o f these

the centre o f this debate with the bnhidcst possible rheo-

rather conservative commitments. This honest, dedicated

rerical İnse. In its search, rhe A w a r d has not categorically

a n d rather strong message alarmed the profession. It he^an

rejected the possible relevance o f any approach. By d o i n g

an exciting debate o n the relevance of the A w a r d a n d the

so, it has ventured to benefit f r o m both m o d e m and

relevance of a particular sector o f architecture. T h e A w a r d

traditional lines of t h i n k i n g as w e l l as
has lx?nelifed substantially by v o i c i n g both arguments a n d has incorporated them into its t h i n k i n g . l"he level of r

Similar to the difficult tasks facing any institutional building process, the difficulty lay i n establishing the intellectual integrity and value of the A w a r d . A philosophy had to he instituted a n d a direction needed to he d e l i n e d . During the lively debate that ensued the A w a r e f o u n d itself in a position w h e r e the realities of the future, d e m a n d e d b y modernity were as important as the values o f the past and r

the sense of meaning as offered by t radii kmalign. The t w o lines o f thinking had to l x - s y n l h e s i s e d . T h e issues were deCtned through a critical process of t h i n k i n g organised i n the fonii of seminars, think-tanks a n d publications. Priori­ ties were examined from the point o f v i e w of their content, understanding of lasting values a n d d e e p socia. c o n c e m s . In this process, modernity p r o v i d e d impimant aspects such as orientation towards the future, recognising the impor­ t a n c e ^ technology, a l o n g with industry i n offering c o m ­ fort and convenience through mass |xtxluction A l l of these are undeniable features of our lives i n the contemporary w o r l d , and yet. tradition has its roots hi an indefinite history and cherishes continuity, meaning and community. T h e A w a r d has always endeavoured to re-establish the m p t u r e d link with the history without rejecting the use of the m o d e m means a n d expressions. Tile first t w o cycles o f the A w a r d s of l 9 H 0 a n d 1983 identified the issues, exemplified them in the solutions a n d

expectation i n the field of architecture of the Muslim w o r l d lias n o w Ix'come p r o f o u n d as a result. In its search for solutions the profession d i d not like its options to l>c restricted to the past a n d to tradition exclusively. It h a d hopes that technology c o u l d be considered to be a viable alternative to tradition. T h e message of the 1^86 Jury was regarded as a strong commitment, emphasising one dimension of the problem w h i l e people w h o were expecting direction from the A w a r d continued to h o p e that they c o u l d lx:nefit fnxm a multitude o f ideas, i n different scales o f complexity.

T h e i y s y j u r y had the legacy o f the three [Xist cy cles of the A w a r d to consider. It also lienefited from the heated debate o f the preceding cycle. T h e J u r y d e c i d e d to address the complexity of the situation b y pointing out the out­ standing projects independently as examples of architec­ tural excellence. T h e eleven premiated projects cover x

almost the total spectrum of architecture from mral to urban, horn l o w to high technology. T h e criteria of archi­ tectural excellence was flexible. T h e jury courageously pointed out exemplary projects at polar extremes w ithout hesitation. Whether this was d o n e i n recognition o f plural­ ity o r as a reflection of the understanding of the complexity of the situation, remains to be seen.

25

Architecture for Islamic Societies

As global awareness has increased, die interests a n d

brought the l>est from all o v e r the w o r l d . W h e n c o m p a r e d

concerns of p e o p l e TO share each others' problems a n d

to the excessive sculpture garden o n the e m l x i n k m e n t , E l -

c u l m res have g r o w n pro|>onionally. T o represen! one's

Wakil's mosques are extremely distinct architectural

cultural achievement l o another, or, to i n f o r m and influ-

elements a n d p o w e r f u l symbols. T h e traditional content o f

ence the p u b l i c of another country by means of having a

architecture as the most expressive of all the arts i n Islam

presence there has a l o n g history in lite form of cultural

reinforces E l - W a k i l s message. In designing these mosques

centres. T h e Instituí d u M o n d e Arabe represents this

he has u s e d nothing but authentic lewd-tearing brick

p h e n o m e n o n . Architecturally ii reflects a symbiosis of the

construction with w h i l e stucco finishing. Three o l these

b e n d of the River Seine, a relationship with the University

mosques a l o n g the e m l x i n k m e n i create a n episodic

C a m p u s next to it, the c i t v o f Pans a n d the Plaza w h i c h

message ihat strengthen their joint existence. El-Wakil s

were all m o u l d e d into one f o r m . By a deliberate architec-

mission Ixtses itself o n his diagnosis of the mpture a n d

tural choice the Institute has b e e n characterised as b e i n g o n

disconnection w i t h tradition a n d the antithesis of Nouvel's

the cutting edge of contemporary technology, designed by

hi-tech interpretation of abstract architecture elements. His

an architect w h o has b e e n more inspired Ijy cinemati>gra-

approach has f o u n d a comfortable ntxik i n the architectural

phy than any other sector of the arts. A s a n architect Jean

discourse of the late eighties u n d e r the mantle of Classicism.

NouvcJ does not see architecture a s a prescribed set of experiences w h i c h are designed l o lie experienced- O n the contrary he wishes to project an e p i s o d i c space-time c o n t i n u u m where the architecture forms the means and the context of a personal experience with space. T h e survey w h i c h the A w a r d c o n d u c t e d in order to

L

T h e Master Jury's recognition o l the achievements of these t w o extremes o n the scale o l architectural approaches offered them the chance to span this spectrum with projects w h i c h each exemplify different aspects of the architectural reality i n the Islamic W o r l d . Three of the projects were related to the p r o b l e m of

determine the reaction o f the A r a b c o m m u n i t y in Paris to

context. If the y o u n g architect Samir Hamaici, w i i h the

the b u i l d i n g has surprisingly p r o v e n that expatriates (ie

support o f the Association d e la Sauvegarde d e la M e d i n a ,

Muslims) living there d i d not want to be associated with the

h a d not intervened, a standard prototype school b u i l d i n g

superficial paraphernalia or relics of their folklore back

w o u l d otherwise have Iseen erected in the Medina of Tunis,

home, but w i s h e d to have a cultural presence in Paris.

The Sidi e l - A l o u i primary s c h o o l has strong references l o a n

They felt that this presence ought nor to be associated w i t h

architectural i d i o m d e v e l o p e d by Serge Santelli in his

backwardness i n time. This is a very important aspiration

Residence A n d a l o u s w h i c h has previously been recognised

w h i c h has been captured by the architect. Apart from the

by the A w a r d i n 1983. T h e extremely Important aspect of

arehiteetural qualities w h i c h merited the A w a r d , the

this is that the A w a r d has obviously benefited f r o m its o w n

positive reaction o f the c o m m u n i t y to the hi-tech expres-

recognition a n d influence. It also provides architectural

sion was indicative o f a c h a n g i n g societo-sphere i n w h i c h a

tools for architects to emulate i n similar circumstances the

global culture has taken root. P e o p l e w h o have been very

i d i o m d e v e l o p e d for the context.

proud o f their past as w e l l as their tradition and culture choose to take this usage for the expression of their presence i n Paris. Jean N o u v e l ' s playful hi-tech detailing, w h i c h depicted some abstract elements of Islamic architecture such as mashmhiyya,

b l e n d e d w i t h a contemporary

expression a n d was correct i n a l l o w i n g p e o p l e to feel at ease with the existence o f this culture. At the other e n d o f the spectrum, the Jury recognised the traditional a p p r o a c h , A l x l e l W a h e d E l - W a k i f s series of mosques situated dramatically o n the urban seascape of J e d d a h has b e e n a most challenging alternative to the

A diminutive, loosely organised summer residence in Turkey w h i c h was also recognised with a n A w a r d , was seen as having the potential of b e c o m i n g a generic form with its unpretentious pose, without any l o u d declarations. En fact it intrinsically refers to w i d e s p r e a d b u i l d i n g forms in the informal sector where a m i n i m u m o f technology a n d material resources are used. T h e form is not a primary objective but a natural achievement i n the piocess o f unpretentious building. This house is still spatially rich and rather sophisticated i n its configuration. T h e third of these contextual projects is t h e C i t r a Miaga

forceful beautification programme o n the embjrtkment

Urban D e v e l o p m e n t Protect i n East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

built o n the reclaimed land w h i c h the city h a d used as a

T h e project Is contexually c o n c e i v e d from both the social

means of expressing a search for a distinct image a n d

a n d the architectural points of v i e w . Precious urban land

identity. E l - W a k i f s skilful regeneration of various fcxins

w h i c h was o c c u p i e d by street vendors was d e v e l o p e d by

from the architectural heritage of Islam has been justified

m a k i n g use of these vendors as the initiators a n d eventual

b y the history o f Hijaz where every holder o f this holy land

beneficiaries of the final scheme. F r o m the phasing point of

26

Complexify, Gtcjristenet and Plurality

v i e w , the project has a m o r e profitable p a n such as the

T l i e architectural mastery w h i c h shaped Sher-e-liangUi

small apartments w h i c h were built i n the early phase to

N a g a r h a s already l i e e n historically a c k n o w l e d g e d and the

finance the rest of the project. T h e project architects were

A w a r d simply f o l l o w e d suit. Very interestingly, this b u i l d -

also concerned w i t h urban reality a n d responded to it by

ing, w h i c h is probably o n e o f the largest in the w o r l d , was

offering more p u b l i c space to the city than liefore. In a short

a c c o m p a n i e d b y a mral housing project w h i c h is unique.

period of time a project w h i c h was c o n c e i v e d within the

T h e G r a m e e n B a n k enables the rural population i n Bangla-

frame of reference of current market forces anc urlianistic

desh to accommodate themselves m u c h lietter by a l l o w i n g

ideas has a d d e d 10 the quality of life i n East Kalimantan.

them to have access to credit facilities a n d to obtain some

T h e understanding of unobtrusive architecture w e l l placed within an urban or natural contest was exemplified b y these three projects. O b v i o u s l y none are great masterpieces of architecnire but rather timely solutions w i t h a great potential to be replicated. T w o additional projects considered b y the Jury are the Al K i n d i Plaza \yy A l i Shuaibi a n d the Beeah G r o u p a n d B B W , with Richard B ö d e k e r as designer of [he D i p l o m a t i c Quarter Landscaping. T h e former re-invents an urban structure w h i c h relates itself 10 an architectural heritage related to the desert structures of the Najdi culture of the Riyadh region, redefined i n contemporary materia] a n d construction techniques.

b u i l d i n g components in order to bring an d e m e n t of safety a n d sanitation into their shelters. These are simple pre-cast c o l u m n s a n d toilet units designed for this particular culture a n d climate. T h e rest is left to the individual families' creativity. T h e o u t c o m e o f p r o v i d i n g 53-400 credit to each family has b e e n stunning, p r o v i d i n g tens of thousands of homes for the most d e p r i v e d sector of M u s l i m society. T h e last of the Awards recognised a m o s q u e w h i c h is a m o n u m e n t to the understanding of plurality in its o w n history. T h e Great O m a r i M o s q u e has a superstmcture w h i c h is the remnant of a Crusader Castle daring from the twelfth century. T h e M a m l u k s erected a m o s q u e o n t o p of

T h e D i p l o m a t i c Quarter Landscaping project takes the

this Castle i n 1291, w h i c h was subsequently destroyed b y

dialogue w i t h nature to its extreme a n d successfully

the b o m b i n g o f S i d o n . 'I"hough the c o m m u n i t y had the

attempts to re-discover the plant species that survived i n

chance to build an entirely n e w stnicture, they chose to

the hot arid climate o f the region until recently. It uses them

restore the o l d mosque.

for the greening of an extensive desert landscape ecologi-

T h e l i 8 9 A w a r d s reveal the present plurality of forces

cally k n o w n to be d e p r i v e d o f any vegetation. 3y d o i n g so

existing i n today's Islamic w o r l d . T h e buildings range from

nin only is scarce water saved but also the earth has b e e n

the lowest to the highest possible technology, from the

developed to hold Its o w n humidity to generate t o p soil in

classical to the m o d e m , from the smallest w e e k e n d

the years to come. It is a n attempt to regenerate more

residence r>n the Aegean to a huge parliament b u i l d i n g in

liveable landscapes o n our planet.

E

D h a k a . T h e message they c o n v e y reflects die complexity of

These projects were f o l l o w e d lyy t w o major buildings

the situation; one must never expect simple, standard

which constitute a n e w generic ty|X' not addressed by the

recipes. With this the Jury challenges the indoctrinated

Awards earlier, H e n n i n g Larsens Saudi Ministry o f Foreign

version of M o d e r n i s m w h i c h claimed to standardise

Affairs building is a subtle exercise in modernity w h i c h

solutions. With the same rigour t h e j u r y also disagrees with

seeks to establish roots i n a society where trad L: tonal ties

the theory of Classicism in the present sense a n d w i t h

are strongly sought. He has achieved this i n a very abstract

neoclassicism i n the nineteenth-century sense since the

manner b y allowing the culture of the desert to reflect itself

p r o b l e m Ls not o n e o f technology a n d form exclusively.

in m o d e m architectural f o r m C o m p o n e n t s of the building,

T h e solutions instead have to l>c a culmination of many

such as the corridors, relate to the traditional souks or to

factors expressed i n architectural form.

streets in medinas; o p e n i n g s to masbrabiyyaszciû

tradi-

tional Najdi w i n d o w s . H o w e v e r all d o so abstractly without any clip-on pastiche. T h e Parliament building, w h i c h was designed by the late L m i s K a h n , initially intended as the capital of East Pakistan then became the same k>rthe State of Bangladesh. This masterpiece Ls a product of Kahn's most mature p e r i o d w h e n he lx.-gan to explore the richness of forms a n d novel expressions for large scale buildings. The Assembly Building has acquired the p o w e r to s y m b o l ise a nation with a population o f more than one h u n d r e d

In the projects that f o l l o w , t h e j u r y has selected e x a m ples w h i c h have specific relevance to a particular p r o b l e m or context- In d o i n g so it lias c h o s e n to address specific questions, such as the p r o b l e m of landscaping i n a hot arid climate w i t h minimal or no irrigation, or niral h o u s i n g w i t h minimal financial input a n d the problems o f identity a n d expression of M u s l i m s living in the West. In addition to these it was also able to identify architecture o f quality i n each a n d every project.

million w h i c h takes pride i n it. fROSTlS:

The pairtleit pailem*

UtrrottHdinjl

ibe ferltf trillion

Ytmeni bouse re/lixi light a-id glare, away from ibe

uf

the

interior

27

I hl

2*

A Search for Meaning JAMES STEELE

w h e n Eiis Highness T h e Aga K h a n established a n a w a r d

remains of a castle built b y the Knights of St J o h n during

for architecture, it was intended to both increase public

the s e c o n d Crusade and the buttresses o n its southern

awareness of Islamic culture a n d to create a f o r u m for

facade still reveal its use a s a fortress. M a n y additions a n d

e x a m i n i n g ihe appropriateness of contemporary architec-

improvements were carried our during the late O t t o m a n

ture throughout rhe extremely diverse c o m m u n i t y of

period, ulrimately presenting a mosque based o n a central

Muslims w o r l d w i d e . Since 1980, this a w a r d has b e e n g i v e n

courtyard plan enclosed b y four tiwaqs, o r porticoes. T h e

every three years, and i n rhe selection process used to

prayer hall itself is located i n the sourhemmosr

determine the winners, the jury has typically considered

w h i c h is covered b y cross-vaults. In addition to severe

the particular context i n w h i c h each project has e v o l v e d , as

weathering, the M o s q u e suffered extensive damage during

w e l l as the u n i q u e social, e c o n o m i c , environmental a n d

the Israeli invasion of l e b a n o n in 1932, to the extent that a

technical factors to w h i c h it responds. In l o o k i n g back over

local patron named Rafiq al-Hariri offered to replace it with

the successful projects of the past, there is a consistent

an entirely n e w building. T h e local residents refused to

partem o f appropriate a n d creative utilisation o f available

give up the o l d mosque, h o w e v e r , w h i c h had always

resources i n meeting functional and cultural needs, as w e l l

served as b o t h the physical a n d psychological Centre of

riwaq,

as the higher potential i n each project to set a standard for

rheir c o m m u n i t y , a n d requested that it

the future. T h e Aga K h a n acts as the C h a i r m a n o f a Steering

W l l i l e restoration a n d preservation efforts have lieen cited

restored instead.

Committee that governs the A w a r d , a n d the term of this

by the A w a r d i n the past, a n d have included m o n u m e n t s o f

committee spam; each three year cycle. Its task is to

such importance as the A l Aqsu Mosque i n the A l Haram al

oversee the distribution of prizes totalling $500 thousand

Sharif in Jerusalem, the circumstances surrounding the

that are awarded i n each cycle to projects selected b y a n

destruction a n d precise rebuilding of this m o s q u e have

independent Master Jury. Those awarded i n c l u d e archi-

given it a special significance.

tects, construction professionals, craftsmen a n d clients w h o are considered most responsible for rhe final realisation of each project.

Another a w a r d , given to the municipality of A s i l a h , has recognised c o m m u n i t y efforts of an entirely different k i n d , involving the rehabilitation of a small [own o n the Arlanric

In the fourth A w a r d ceremony, held tieneaih the lower-

coast o f M o r o c c o . T w o local men, named M o h a m m e d

ing walls of the M o h a m m e d Ali M o s q u e o n t o p o f the

Benaissa a n d M o h a m m e d M e l e h i , came Ixtck to Asilah after

Citadel i n Cairo o n O c t o b e r 15th 19H9, a strong feeling o f

graduate studies abroad a n d detemiined to i m p r o v e their

continuity a n d confidence emerged m a k i n g it a turning

t o w n . T h e highly personalised w a y in w h i c h they d i d so

point in retrospect i n the history of the event-

really began w i t h the question of h o w the innate creativity

In his introductory remarks. H i s Highness I h e Aga K h a n

of a c o m m u n i t y can be marshalled for positive change. I h e

noted that, perhaps more than a n y other time in [be past,

first steps they took in attempting to answer that question

there had l i e e n a special awareness of the Tripartite contri-

i r e an object lesson i n the effectiveness o f straightforward

butions of restoration and p r c s c r v a i k m , social a n d c o m m u -

tactics that have n o w served as an inspiration f o r other

nity development a n d d i e search for what he called a n

such communities throughout the w o r l d . They lx_'gan b y

architecture of quality' i n their turn, w h i c h has continued

organising a small cultural festival i n the t o w n i n the

to highlight the important role of each i n suggesting

summer of 1978, w h i c h attracted nearly one thousand

valuable directions for the future of islamic architecture.

visitors f r o m the local area. This modest event gave the t o w n s p e o p l e a r e n e w e d sense o f civic pride a n d self-worth

In recognition of the deeply felt need to preserve

that has continued to g r o w as rapidly as the festival itself,

historical monuments that represent the best architectural

w h i c h n o w attracts nearly 125,000 people a n d Ls one of the

traditions of a glorious past, an award was presented to

biggest cultural events in rhe M i d d l e East. T h e overall

[host involved i n the restoration etfons o n the Great O m a r i

rehabilitation o f the t o w n has also encouraged many

Mosque i n Sidon, L e b a n o n . Dating Ixtck to the Bahri

private individuals to b u i l d n e w houses i n the traditional

Mamluk p e r i o d , the M o s q u e was erected i n 1291 o n the

29

Aıdıitecture foc Islamic Societies

mimner throughout the fabric of the medina, to replace

democratic management board represents the interest of

others w h i c h had deteriorated b e y o n d the point of possible

the local government, as w e l l as the shop keepers a n d

restoration.

street peddlers, a n d both the equity and the benefits liave

T h e Grarneen Bank H o u s i n g Programme, a further

been shared b y all three. This pro|ect has totally trans­

A w a r d winner, has successfully attempted clever uTnOva-

formed a former s k i m area, w h i c h had previously been

rion of another s o n , baaed o n a concept that has already

o c c u p i e d b y l o w - i n c o m e , migratory settlers, into a w e l l

challenged past theories of h o w to assisr i n p r o v i d i n g self-

p l a n n e d urban and commercial complex. T h e programme

h e l p housing for the p o o r throughout the d e v e l o p i n g

that has achieved this transformation has been imple­

w o r l d A s the first of t w o schemes to be g i v e n i n the social

mented i n three stages, concentrating primarily o n a

development category, the Grarneen bank Project has b e e n

commercial development, w h i c h was sold to finance the

implemented i n Bangladesh, w h i c h ts o n e o f the poorest

second stage related to the informal sector. Smaller shops,

and most p o p u l o u s countries i n the w o r l d , w h e r e nearly

to be offered for sale, were built i n the third phase. As built,

fiftv p e r c e n t of the rural p o p u l a t i o n is Ijoth landless a n d

the centre is n o w made u p o f t w o hundred and twenty-four

homeless. T h e basic concept as initiated by M o h a m m e d

stalls that have l>een p r o v i d e d without cost to the sTreet

Y u n u s , w h o is the managing director of the Hank, has lieen

peddlers, as w e l l as t w o h u n d r e d and twenty shops of

to offer small loans of the equivalent o f 1350 to the niral

various sizes that are incorporated within a series of

p o o r without requiring a n y collateral, i n direct contradic-

arcades that cater to m e d i u m and high income shoppers,

tk>n to the customary reluctance of the financial c o m m u n i t y

"Ihe p u b l i c spaces, w h i c h include such amenities as a

to d o so i n the past. In his v i e w , every h u m a n being,

covered p o d i u m for entertainment, give the centre a lively

regardless o f social position, deserves a life of dignity a n d

character, a n d traditional roof forms create a feeling of

s h o u l d l i e g i v e n the opportunity to care for himself if

unity between The different components of the c o m p l e x .

possessing the commitment 10 do so. Personal commit­

This project has not o n l y achieved it-s social and e c o n o m i c

ment, then, becomes the main criterion i n determining

objectives, but has transformed Samarinda into a vibrant

credit worthiness, a n d not financial resources. With these

and well-designed m b a n centre.

small housing loans, each b o r r o w e r is p r o v i d e d w i t h a pre fabricated concrete slab, four concrete c o l u m n s and

T h e remaining r ^ v e n project To receive a w a r d ! «n Cairo,

twenty-six corntgated metal sheets for a roof. T h e ore-cast

w h i c h varied i n scale f r o m a modest private h o m e to a

b u i l d i n g materials are mass p r o d u c e d a n d made available

National A s s e m b l y Ixailding, all represent the intangible

to the borrowers at very l o w prices. T h e residents b u i l d

quality of architectural excellence deemed so important in

their houses Themselves, typically enlisting the h e l p of all o f

Eotting a standard to be f o l l o w e d in the future tliroughout

the members o f the family to do so, i n order to k e e p costs

the Islamic w o r l d .

l o w . T i l e e n d result is a unit that usually consists of a

The Gürel Residence, i n Çanakkale, Turkey, clearly

rectangular, twenty-square-metre area, that is d r y a n d

reflects the c o n c e r n of architect/owner Sedat Gürel, w i t h

sanitary. Whatever else the inhabitants want to include is

having The house b l e n d into its surroundings. In this area o f

usually a d d e d o n an incremental basts, it has n o w b e e n

the A e g e a n seacoasf. rhe design required sensitivity TO both

more than a decade since the programme has b e e n in

the steep, rcx:ky slopes that angle d o w n to the water, as

effect, a n d hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis have

well as the dense groves o f pine, olive and oak trees that

benefited from it, with more than forty-five thousand such

cover the site. T h e residence is a cluster of seven units,

homes i n existence. W i t h a pay-back rate o f nearly ninety-

distributed o v e r the site i n direct relationship to a l o n g w a l l

eight percent during this time, the Grarneen Bank, o r ' r u r a l

tliat protects them f r o m the road nearby. T h e pavilions

peoples' project has also demonstrated tliat institutional

consist o f t w o living units, four sleeping areas, and one

changes must precede any significant progress i n h o u s i n g

c o m m o n service element, that ate arranged along the w a l l

for the p o o r .

in such a w a y that open-air courtyards are created lietween them. Tile overall feeling of the house, w h i c h uses local

1 h e s e c o n d social improvement scheme to be h o n o u r e d in the series was t h e C i t r a Niaga Urban D e v e l o p m e n t plan for Samarinda in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. In compari­ s o n TO the w i d e ranging institutional implications of the Grarneen B a n k initiative, the major achievement o f Citra Niaga is the lesson it offers i n the effectiveness of the selfc o n t n i l l i n g system of cross-sul>sidies that were used. A

30

domestic construction techniques as w e l l as indigenous forms, materials and details, is that of a small scale traditional village, w h i c h promotes the special qualities o f the site b y providing private as w e l l as c o m m u n a l spaces. T h e ingenu­ ity u s e d i n juxtaposing built elements a n d o p e n areas, as w e l l as the use of simple, local constmction methods, makes This house a logical model foe a variety of locations.

A Search Un Meaning

In Contrast K i the private ret reni Created b y Sedat Gürel, is the A l - K i n d i Plaza in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the H a y y Assafarat landscaping scheme, w h i c h address p u b l i c issues

h'tfifW ABOVF: Inhabitants Pna/rauifne.

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case within the contemporary A r a b d r y The Diplomatic

lake sum>u ittiiitu I be A ssemhtf

legalisation o f a Long-held w i s h o f the Saudi government to consolidate all o f its political a n d administrative functions in its capital city. T h e central area o f the quarter is a curving, o n e h u n d r e d and fifty metre w i d e strip o f Land that is intended to contain all o f the public, c o m m u n i t y services for the area, w h i c h are distributed a l o n g its twelve hundred metre length. A l - K i n d i Plaza itself, w h i c h is named after a famous Muslim philosopher, has b e e n designed by Saudi architect Ali Shuaibj. It contains a Friday Mosque w h i c h c a n accommodate u p to seven thousand w o r s h i p ­ pers, as w e l l as residences for [he Imam a n d Mue/vin o f the mosque, a library, a government serv ice c o m p l e x w h i c h houses the Riyadh D e v e l o p m e n t Authority , and shops surrounding a central maldan. In deference to the tradi­ tional Najdi architecture o f this region, the buildings are designed with central courts, a n d thick, insulating walls that present small openings to the outside. Both the buildings a n d the opien spaces also reflect Najdi decorative patterns, a n d huge entnineu gaits located jilong the msun boulevards provide access to the central maklan. As Shuaibi lias said i n regard to his design o f A l - K i n d i Plaza:

Tliis project attempts to demonstrate that many o f the problems faced b y post-industrial architecture stem from the destruction o f the context into w h i c h a n e w b u i l d i n g might lit. Ü n c e this context is re-created, g o o d design can easily follow, W e empltasise that valuable architec­ ture is that w h i c h the pedestrian can appreciate, a n d that the quality o f the built environment results essentially from the entire fabric, including the variety o f o p e n spaces that are the result o f the structures s u m n t n d i n g them. Local traditions, i n the s h a p i n g o f climatic and cultural environments, s h o u l d not l i e a b a n d o n e d i n favour o f mechanised technology because there really is no contradiction between the t w o . The question regarding the re-use o f traditional forms and decoration reawakened a controversial issue that has r u n through all o f the past cycles a n d has yet to b e resolved, This question has been particularly sensitive because o f the rampant a n d u n i f o r m e d application o f islamic' decoration o n a majority o f the recent export architecture throughout the M u s l i m w o r l d . This has resulted i n what Professor Dogan K u b a n o f Turkey has called a misplaced jeliance upon a k i n d o f cultural fetishism' that blindly uses forms from the past without a full understanding o f their mean-

ibeappearance

ittrtben it re hi feci it re that once identified

of the appropriate character o f c o m m u n a l spaces, i n this Quarter, where these twin projects a i e located, is the final

rttsh sitiiıttı arc ııııys

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mechanised alifiual

Architecture for islamic Societies

ing. T h e o n g o i n g debate between ihose w h o advocate the

v e n e d so completely to western standards of mechanised

use of such forms as a m o d e l , a n d others w h o seek to

environmental comfort. T h e Corniche Mosque epitomises

renew rile processes that p r o d u c e d such forms so that they

the spirit o f the entire programme, emphasising the per-

then might be used as a reference, surfaced again w h e n the

ceived importance o f sculptural form as a means of en-

Sidi e l - A i o u i Primary School in Tunisa and the Corniche

hancing the image of diese structures i n the contemporary

M o s q u e in J e d d a h , Saudi Arabia, w e r e presented w i t h

urban scene. T h e design of this mosque is compact, yet

awards. T h e Sidi el-Atoui s c h o o l is o n e of tw enty projects

manages to be full o f intricacy. A strong directional pull

that were initiated i n 1983 Co rejuvenate the Bab Souika-

from exterior to interior is set u p b y ihe compositional

H a l f a o u i n e district o f the m e d i n a of T u n i s , a n d is located in

interplay between the d o m e o v e r the prayer area, and the

a i i g h t l v o r d e r e d district w i t h many older structures in it.

vault covering the m a i n entrance, w h i c h E l - W a k i l has

T h e s c h o o l Is sited o n the northeast side of a rectilinear

extrapolated from the M a m l u k mausoleum of U m m A n u k

p u b l i c park, a n d houses sixteen classrooms distributed

in Cairo. After entering, this direction is continued and

symmetrically around t w o internal courtyards. T h e m a i n

further refined b y a l l o w i n g screened views to the sea

entrance is o n a n axis w i t h the p u b l i c park that faces it, a n d

through selectively placed w i n d o w s a n d an arcade.

is made obvious b y the large tnasbrahiyyabalcony

that

pn>jects out o v e r it from the first tlcx>r. W h i l e seeming somewhat insignificant from a western v i e w p u n t , [he use of such detailing o n this p u b l i c b u i l d i n g represents a major victory i n Tunisa, where it had o n c e Ixren considered frivolous. Til is courageous exploration of traditional forms, as b o t h a necessary and economical alternative to standard govenanental proposals, presents an e x a m p l e of great value to other d e v e l o p i n g countries.

Prior to entering the prayer liall from a n a r r o w o p e n i n g o n the left e n d of the vault, the full height o f the minaret comes into v i e w through an o p e n slot that separates the m a i n d o m e over the prayer hall, and the t w o smaller d o m e s c o v e r i n g the loggia-areade l>eyond. The strong visual impact of this minaret, leading the eye u p w a r d to the sky, is a dramatic prelude to the peaceful seclusion a n d meditative quiet o f the prayer area itself, w h i c h is the final goal of this carefully orchestrated sequence.

T h e Q i r n i c h e M o s q u e i n Jeddah is l i y Abdel W a h e d Kl-

T h e issue of the re-interpretation of historical forms was

W a k i l , w h o has been cited b y Prince Charles i n his b o o k ,

also o f d e e p c o n c e r n to Danish architect H e n n i n g Larsen i n

for his tireless efforts to heal what he

his design of the Ministry of f o r e i g n Affairs In Riyadh, Saudi

A Vision of Britain,

considers to be the destructive division n o w enisling

Arabia, w h i c h received a n Aga K h a n A w a r d - A s a result of

between the architect a n d the craftsman. ]n this building,

the same Consolidation effort that created the H a y y

w h i c h has brought E l - W a k i l a second award f o l l o w i n g the

Assafarar and the A l - K i n d i Plara, the project Ministry

a w a r d for his H a l a w a H o u s e , g i v e n in

organised a competition i n 1975 for the construction o f a

the architect is

intentionally literal i n his use of a traditional language, i n a

n e w Foreign Ministry a n d invited twelve world-class firms,

continuing attempt to frnd the nassing link between the

i n c l u d i n g Renzo Piano, Arata isozaki, Ricardo iiofill a n d

rich inventiveness of the pre-industrial age a n d the tenuous

K e n z o Tange, to participate T h e generative idea b e h i n d

relationship between craftsmanship a n d architecture today.

the concept that Larsen d e v e l o p e d is that o f a 'hidden',

'Ihe Corniche M o s q u e Is o n l y one of a series of mosques requested by K i n g Fahad Ibn A b d u l Aids, a n d supervised b y [he Ministry o f Hajj a n d A w q a f as part o f a natk^nal programme to d e v e l o p a contemporary mosque architecture: i n Saudi Arabia based o n more traditional models. T h e Ministry, i n collaboration w i t h the Municipality o f J e d d a h a n d M o h a m m e d Said Farsi, w h o was the M a y o r w h e n the project was b e g u n , chose several high visibility sites around the city for n e w models of traditional mosque architecture. Tn addition [o p n w i d i n g places of w o r s h i p , all o l these models were intended to exhibit methods of traditional construction, a n d to s h o w that buildings u s i n g these methods were achievable o n a limited Ixadget. T o d o so, conventional ideas of glazing, as w e l l as strict air conditioning requirements also had to l?e changed, w h i c h was far from easy i n this hot, h u m i d region that has c o n -

32

i n w a r d facing architecture w h i c h is d o s e d to the outside w o r l d , but s l o w l y reveals itself from within. This idea of internalisation is further articulated by insulating the triangular p u b l i c courtyard that he has created i n the centre of the b u i l d i n g from all o f d i e private office spaces o n die perimeter w i t h a s e m i - p u b l i c internal "street'. As the c o n cept d e v e l o p e d , each of the corners of the symmetrical triangular f o r m were expressed as nearly separate entities related to the three programmatic divisions of political affairs, cultural a n d e c o n o m i c affairs, a n d administration and finance that exist within the Ministry. T h e entry to the b u i l d i n g is flanked b y elements that arcc o m m o n to all divisions a n d thus comprise a fourth 'zone'. There is a p u b l i c reception hall h e r e w i t h a one h u n d r e d and fifty seat auditorium a n d a seventy-five thousand v o l u m e library, w h i c h is under the auspices o f the

A Search for Meaning

D i p l o m a t i c Institute, and is primarily stocked with books

Boulevard St G e r m a i n , a n d Ls dividc-l into t w o sections

o n The history and development of nations a n i l diplomacy,

tliat are se[Kirafed by a square central court. T h e curved,

as w e l l as having its o w n b o o k b i n d i n g capability, rare

scimitar-like section facing die quay contains exhibition

manuscript division and slide library. "The Foreign Ministry

halls a n d a m u s e u m of A r a b a n a n d civilisation, w h i l e the

also participates i n a M a h a d ' programme i n w h i c h post­

second, rectilinear block, w h i c h makes the transition to

graduates throughout the k i n g d o m can enrol in a two-year

the orthogonal city grid b e h i n d it. houses the library. As a

course i n d i p l o m a c y , a n d this library-auditorium z o n e is the

ciioperative effort lietween France and twenty A r a b

self-contained sphere of activity for this programme,

cimntrics. the b u i l d i n g really does represent what architect

L

T h e monumental image of the b u i l d i n g is intentionally meant to be reminiscent of the older, Najdi style of R i y a d h , specifically die massive walls of the historic M u s m a k F o n nearby. Larsen has chosen to extend the thermal advantage of these thick walls b y introducing an intennediate cavity that acts as both additional insulation and a source o f light. His d o u b l e w a l l diffuses the direct glare that w o u l d other­ wise enter through tire small p u n c h e d w i n d o w s he uses, a n d absorbs m u c h of the heat as w e l l , 1-arsen speaks poetically about the quality of light entering his building, a n d of his intention to make it a 'sundial', w h i c h w o u l d track the progress o f the day o n its interior walls, i n the inner w o r l d that he has created, nuances such as this, as w e l l as the exquisite materials underfoot, take o n a d d e d significance H i s abstract, yet fundamental reading o f this panicnlar regional architecture, i n this case, treads a careful path Ix-'tween the vernacular features of the Najd, o n the one hand, a n d more international forces o n the other, that is meaningful to e a c h .

Jean X o u v e l has called a dialogue Isetwccn cultures'. In its i w e c i s e a n d polished m o d e m i n ' , the Institute is a n appro­ priately urbane Parisian b u i l d i n g , constantly offering a reflected commentary o n its surroundings: and yet also presents many tantalising reminders of a more obscure sensibility. In addition to the pristine calm of the o p e n central court, o r the cross reference l)etween the spiralling T o w e r of iirxjks', a n d the famous minaret of the M o s q u e of S a m a n a , the most perceptive of these is the contemporary a n d technologically brilliant rendition o f the traditional w o o d e n ninsbmbiyya

screen used throughout the Middle

East as a device for controlling sunlight a n d privacy in the past. T h e southern facade o f the Instituí is clad w i t h over a h u n d r e d p h o t o s e n s i t i v e panels, containing nearly sixteen thousand m o v i n g parts, that act like the diaphragm o f a camera in c o n t r o l l i n g the amount of sunlight c o m i n g into the interior of the building. Photovoltaic sensors electroniCallv adjust all of the m o v i n g parts of these panels, whic h are made u p o f a p o l y g o n a l o p e n i n g that e c h o Islamic geometric fonns.

Light, of course, also had mystical qualities for architect Louis K a h n , and was o n e o f the most important considera­

In spite of several questionable aspects i n its design, the

tions i n his design o f the National Assembly B u i l d i n g in

Instituí d u M o n d e A r a l x : has managed to fulfil its intended

D h a k a , Bangladesh, w h i c h was h o n o u r e d with an A g a

purpose, a n d has brought alxiut an increased awareness of

K l i a n A w a r d . In the same w a y as l.arsen, K a h n has also

Islamic society within the city as well as establishing the

recognised the n e e d tocontn>l the full glare o f the sun i n a

cultural bridge it sought to build. Because o l this major

region i n w h i c h direct exposure can be fatal. Like the

achievement, as w e l l as its ingenious hi-tech transformation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National A s s e m b l y B u i l d i n g

of traditional elements, the project is most certainly deserv­

is m o n u m e n t a l , a n d transcends merely functional require­

ing of the recognition it has received.

ments i n order to institutionalise d e m o c r a c y in a nation that has had its fill of strife. W h i l e some have criticised the building as b e i n g far too lavish for such a p o o r country. K a h n has succeeded in g i v i n g the p e o p l e o f Bangladesh a national s y m b o l to l>e pn>ud of, as w e l l as a feeling of selfworth that is b e y o n d price. U n l i k e Latsen. K a h n d i d not copy elements of regional architecture, but has submitted to the specific local conditions a n d constmction patterns o f Dhaka. T h e result is a b u i l d i n g that is both universal and place specific: in its expression. T h e same m a y also be said of the Institut d u M o n d e A r a l * : in Paris, w h i c h is precisely fitted to d i e c u r v e o f the left bank o f the river,Seine, near the o|X_-ning of the

T h e c o m p l e t i o n of the fourth cycle, c o n c l u d e d a decade of searching a n d questioning, a n d the A g a K h a n A w a r d for Architecture seems to have c o m e of age. T h e w i d e range of awards presented demonstrates the cliaracteristic of unity i n diversity i n the Muslim w o r l d itself, m a k i n g it a more accurate reflection of the culture it seeks to explore. As the record of the fifth Cycle held i n Samarkand i n 1992, a n d presented in Chitiifihift

Arçhiiççiıtıvforn

Wojftr demonst rites, the categories defined in

Cairo have n o w l i e c o m e the framework by w h i c h future Awards are calibrated. T h e direction! taken by juries may differ from it, but it remains a definitive example by w h i c h those differences are gauged.

33

Repon of the 1989 Master Jury

Preamble

only cultural organism which truly reflects all the su^-culture*

The Masterjury for the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Aichltse-

of the Muslim world. This is a wclcorre event indeed with

cure mcr Twice. In January, it considered the 241 projects

considerable long-range importance fjr the Award. The

submitted by the A w a r d s Nominators, and selected thirty-two

second point is that the proper evaluation of some of the new

to be studied In depth by Technical Reviewers. Then, al the

schemes and pro|eets for housing upgrading requires longer

end of June, ihe thirty-two finalists were reviewed o n their

use than that needed to evaluate singk' buildings. As a result,

o w n merits and in terms of the issues they reflect, the

we specifically recommend that the nuxtjury consider anew

questions they pose, and the messages they send. The

the East Wahrial scheme In Amman and the Incremental

decisions which follow are unanimous, because the Jury

Development Scheme In Hyderabad. 3oth seemed to the Jury

agreed to make it so, but unanimity was rioi reached for

to have considerable inerlis which need a few more years to

every project and sharp differences remained 10 the end on

be properly appraised, since socially related archiiecmre

projects which are p r e d a t e d and on some which are not.

requires a flexible time frame for the determination o l

Throughout its deliberations, the Jury sought to listen to all

success or failure.

views and to feel respectful of the projects nominated as well

The Jury's decisions reward several of the directions

of its o w n very varied opinions. Furthermore, as it discussed

visible in today's architecture i n the Muslim world. These

the nominations, the Jury became aware of needs and

decisions should not be seen as an endorsement of all the

opportunities for the architecture affecting Muslims every-

Implications of the projects involved, nor do they imply the

where which had not been as fully visible in previous

re|ection of values expressed in projects which were not

Awards. The differences within the Jury and the new sense of

premiated. T w o examples Illustrate our point. We discussed

a universal Muslim communiry have been incorporated in

al great length the issue of revivalism as a fully thought-out

four slarements the Jury wishes to make before presenting

recasting of forms created and! used in the past or in

the Awards themselves.

vernacular traditions. The premiated projects include only

,\s i n the past, the Jury congratulates the staff of the Award

some examples of that particular point of view, and it

whose dedication, enthusiasm, humour, kindness and

behoves the A w a r d to acknowledge additional searches for a

efficiency made the Jury's labour a pleasure. It also congratu-

genuine, intelligent and tasteful revivjlism whose

lates the Technical Reviewers, all of w h o m undertook their

mechanisms and values are not yet fully understood in an

uniquely responsible tasks with creative enthusiasm. They

Islamic context. Thus, this Jury salutes the efforts of Nader

have all contributed to the richness and sophistication of the

Ardalan with Iranian architecture and of Sergo Sutyagin with

Information available to the Jury and stored i n the offices of

Central Asian architecture w h o are or have been involved

the Award. No segment of contemporary architecture

with an interpretation of formal values which should

anywhere Is so wealthy i n data and so well cared for.

enlighten our understanding of the past and shape the Tonus

The overall dimensions of ihe architecture affecting Muslims have changed enormously since the Award was

•f the future. The second example of novelty lies in the efforts of

created twelve years ago, panly perhaps under the impact of

individual patrons and of non-govtrnnental organisations i n

the Award itself. Five aspects of these new dimensions struck

premiated projects and in many that are not- W e want to

the Jury: better quality of the final products and of the

emphasise how much these efforts arc a welcome component

processes leading to them; complexity of the physical, social

in the mosaic of contemponry architecture which, especially

and economic components of social and community build-

in its social aspect, was dominated by government or

ing; fuller coverage of contiguous Muslim regions; awareness

international bureaucracies. We are aware, of course, of the

of the large Muslim communities within non-Muslim worlds

dangers of speculation and profiteering associated with some

and the enormous increase in the quantity and quality of

of these private activities, and this Is why we add a note of

nominated projects built by Muslims. Each one of these

caution to our satisfaction, but the new enthusiasm of the

aspects deserves Its o w n lengthy elaboration, we only wish

private sector for improving society Is most heart-warming.

to stress t w o points. One is thjt the appearance of several

Finally, we wish ro add ilur the message our decisions

nominations from the Centra] Asian Republics of the Soviet

sends is not one of contradictions, but of simultaneous and

Union (one of these nomlnaiions was shon-lisied for Techni-

parallel activities which identify some, certainly not a l l . of the

cal Review) allows the Award to consider itself n o w as the

aspirations and built forms of Muslim communities today.

These communities are in so many places and with so

Grameen B a n k H o u s i n g P r o g r a m m r , various locations,

many hopes and ambitions that [he solutions to their needs

Bangladesh

are bound l o be different from each oilier. A |ury's decision

T h e G r a m e e n Bank Housing Project attracted the Jury's

is a judgement of their quality, not necessarily of the

attention from the beginning by the sensitivity and brilliance

ideologies they imply.

of Its underlying concept. For here, in one of the poorest and most populous countries of the world, the compassion of

Jury Citations

Islam, the resilience of Bangladeshi rural Muslims, and the

Restoration o f the Great O m a r i Mosque, Sîdon, L e b a n o n

dedication of the personnel of the Grameen Bank, converge

Partly desiroyed and damaged by acrs of war, ihe mosque of

in a creative and skilful way to Improve the lives of millions

Sidon, originally a g o o d example of the complex architectural

of people. The Grameen Bank, a cooperative non-govern­

history of ihe Lebanese coast, was successfully restored and

mental association, started a small credit programme to the

rebuilt thanks to the generosity of a native son. the physical

rural poor, without collateral, for the purpose of initiating

and emotional effons of its users and the talents and compe­

income-generating schemes. The initial success of this

tence of a team of architects and students from Beirut. The

modest programme was Indicated by J real rise i n the income

users refused to accept the building of a new mosque and

of the borrowers and by their rellabllry i n paying back loans.

preferred l o rebuild their shattered world with a monument

This encouraged the Grameen Bank to extend credit to its

of their past, i n doing so, they give a powerful example lo all

shelterless members - eighty-four percent of whom are

those places in the Muslim world and elsewhere which have

w o m e n - t o build newer, modest hut healthier houses, which

been maimed by the horrors of war. In addition, the head of

are Hood and water-resistant. The small housing loans

the restoration team rebuilt the mosque with scientific

average US $350 each and include the provision of four

precision and with the rasie and intelligence of one experi­

concrete columns, a pre-fabricated sanitary slab and twenry-

enced in understanding the monuments of the pası. This

SIA Corrugated iron roofing sheets. Thir rest is left to each

combination of human steadfastness in the face of tragedy, of

borrower to procure o n an incremental basis. In the course of

restoration talent and inventiveness In particularly difficult

Five years, hundreds of thousands of landless rural Bangla­

circumstances, and of dedicated native patronage and

deshis benefited from the Grameen housing project, resulting

sacrifice makes the reconstruction of the Great Omari

in some 44,500 simple, healthier, diverse but equally beaut i-

Mosque a beacon in a tortured land and a sign of hope for

Ful houses. More Imponant in this respect Is the

the rebuilding of war-torn nations.

socio-economic process which has accompanied this housing loan programme. Men, women and children have l>een

Rehabilitation of A s i l a h , As İlah, M o r o c c o

involved in lioth income-generating activities and house­

In the area of rehabilitation, renovation and upgrading, ihe

building. Health conditions and education have improved

town of Asilah In Morocco stands out as an example of great

immensely. The beneficiaries of the programme have paid

success i n ihe Muslim world. From a modest start but with

bock their loans, including five per cent interest, at a rate of

ambitious vision, a few native sons of Asil ah took it upon

ninty-cighl per Cent. What started as a housing-loan scheme

themselves to upgrade the physical and cultural environment

has turned into an overall integrated development process.

of their town, With perseverance and skill, they managed to

The previously marginal homeless poar in Bangladesh,

raise the consciousness of the people of Asilah and mobilise

especially women, are n o w socially empowered. The brilliant

them to implement this vision. A small cultural festival was

successof the Grameen Bank protect lias attracted the

held in Asilah in the summer of 197Jİ, attracting some one

attention of serious development planners throughout the

thousand visitors, mostly from nearby localities. This event,

world: i n 19^5, the American state of Arkansas asked the

modest as it was. gave the people of Asilah self-confidence

Grameen ISank to send a mission to help plan a similar

and pride, qualities which have grown steadily over the

programme to upgrade the living conditions oF Its rural poor.

years. The Asilah Festival (the muslmj now attracts some one

The lesson of this success lies in the thoughtful concept and

hundred and twenty thousand visitors from all over the

the participatory process behind it - which could be emu­

world: it has become the biggest cultural event In Morocco

lated, not imitated, throughout the M L slim and Third Worlds.

and one of ihe most important In the Arab world and Africa, This success Is all the more remarkable as it relied

Citra ?riaga t rb.m Development, Sajnarinda, East

exclusively on the participation of the town's inhabitants,

K a l i m a n t a n , Indonesia

including children and w o m e n , with no or minimal govern­

Through perseverance, dedication and a total commitment to

mental or outside support. The men w h o initialed the

their task, the project's participants have convincingly

process, and have since remained committed to it, attracted

demonstrated the viability and feasibility of participatory

widespread attention in Morocco, Africa and the Arab world,

planning at both design and implementation levels- The

w h h o n e of them becoming appointed as Minister of Culture

result Is development with equity where the benefits have

in his o w n country.

been shared by all parties in the process: the street peddlers {kahlUma>. the shop-keepers and the local government. Not

55

Architecture for Islamic Societies

only has the project achieved its social and economic

considerable and sophisticated research and an accurate

objectives, It has also created a vibrant, well-designed, and

analysis of different types of local plants and trees w h i c h

well-integrated urban centre which has become the pride of

grow In the region and which do not need regular Irrigation,

the town. In 1939, Samarinda was awarded the coveted

a radically new and yet totally genuine environment was

Adipura Award by the Indonesian President as one of a

created for a self-sustained ecological system in the extensive

group of cities w h i c h have successfully developed them-

landscape areas and even rich gardens. This unique environ-

selves. This is all the more remarkable as these results have

ment has attracted. Saudi and Arab farailies in Riyadh on

been achieved through private and community involvement,

Fridays and holidays and they have become recreational

without financial or technical assistance from the government

areas for social gathering providing the privacy required of

or foreign donors.

traditional Islam. Finally, this scheme played a major role in

The whole process has been a democratic one, culminat-

convincing the governmental and public sectors to change

ing in the establishment of a management board representing

their concepts on landscape, to align them with the local

the interests of the kakflfma

environment, and thus to benefit from natural strengths.

through a cooperative, the

shop-keepers, the local government and the consultants. This

The A l - K i n d i Plaza is part of the main public spine which

instiltilionalisalion of the process guarantees continuity and

forms an essential part of the Diplomatic Quarter. It contains

maintenance for the project.

a Public Square (maidan) near to the central mosque of the

The concept Is generic in nature and Is being replicated in

Diplomatic Quarter. These complexes can be considered as

other cities, including the capital, J akana, ft may enhance

ideal models for cities in Islamic and Arab societies. They

social effectiveness in facing increasingly complex situations

have attracrlvely preserved rhe traditional link her ween the

in rhe future, where commercial interests must be harnessed

mosque and the other public services of the city. The

in the process of urban development in more equitable ways

success of the whole is demonstrated by the lively public

It can also he conceived a s a social learning process, in

events which take place o n the Square o n Fridays. It is the

which local governments increasingly encourage active

sensitivity to the environment o n such a grand scale which

public participation in a democratic process, preparing urban

distinguishes this project designed and implemented by a

communities to face the imperatives of social transformation

local firm from Riyadh.

and modernisation. Sldl c l - A l o u l P r i m a r y School, T u n i s , T u n i s i a Gürel F a m i l y S u m m e r Residence, Çanakkale, T u r k e y

The Sidi el-Aloui Primary School is premiared for its coura-

Through a sensitive, intelligent and unpretentious approach,

geous exploration of traditional architectural forms as an

this summer residence constitutes an architectural dialogue

elegant - and economical - response to contemporary

where landscape and building are of equal importance. The

educational needs. The design of this school, developed by a

functions of living have been divided into component parts,

citizens' group as an alternative to standard governmental-

each of w h i c h is self-contained, and both house and garden

type designs, represents a prototype of considerable value to

are positioned with careful thought, on a beautiful site

developing societies. Utilising an arc;, left open by an earlier

overlooking the Aegean seashore.

project, it develops a unique relationship to the surrounding

These principles of juxtaposing spaces, economy of

urban setting and especially to a public park adjacent to it. It

means, and simplicity of local construcrion can be a model

has become not simply a school but also a place for commu-

for a range of uses and a variety of places. This residence is

nity activities.

indeed a work of art in w h i c h nature and humanism occupy ihe first place.

The concise and orderly pattern o l its classrooms generates a simple volume, discreetly enhanced by the judicious use of ornament and handicraft. Harmonising unobtrusively

H a y y Assalarat a n d the A l - K i n d i Plaza, Riyadh, Saudi A r a b i a

with the old buildings and narrow streets of the medlna, this

The landscaping of the Hayy Assafarat and the A l - K l n d i Plaza,

school constitutes a remarkably urbane and responsible

which is part of It, were made possible by an enlightened

building-block i n the overall fabric of the city.

client, the Riyadh Development Authority. The client requested high technological quality as well as an

G o r n i c h c Mosque, J c d d a h , Saudi Arabia

understanding of the local environment and heritage and his

It is the architect's skill In combining historically derived

relationship to the architects and planners w h o worked o n

forms that is the main basis for the Jury's decision. Siting and

the project was exemplary.

technology distinguish this building from the great majority

The landscaping represents a realistic and imaginative

of mosques built today. The Corniche Mosque is one of three

understanding of the natural and spatial organisation i n hot

set as pavilions along the corniche ofjeddah, an unconven-

and arid regions. It takes into consideration the site's natural

tional but visually arresting arrangement that lends spiritual

conditions and enriches them with new elements to create

strength to the entire territory and proclaims to the outside

attractive sites and provide them with climatic protection and

world the presence of Islam. Technologically, the mosque is

social privacy through artificial sand and stone hills. After

built according to methods that the architect has developed

36

Report of the 1989 Master Jury

through research into the ways used in Ule construction of

sions with people from many differcn: groups i n society,

mostly Egyptian mosques in a traditional high culture of

reveal that over time it has come to enjoy overwhelming

Islam. These heaconson die coast have also become con-

approval, that it stands as a symbol of democracy in Bangla-

spicuous places of piety and rest for the population of this

desh, and has influenced that country in a variety of

city. The architect should be ciled as a proponent for

beneficial ways. The architectural potency of this building

innovative siting, for rethinking classical methods of building,

derives in part from the clarity of its overall composition and

and for the effort lo compose formal elements in ways that

from its scale, both conveying the centrality and imponance

bespeak the present and at the same time reflect the lumi-

of the activity of assembly that lies at the heart of a demo-

nous past of Islamic societies.

cratic and participatory structure of governance. Peaching beyond the architecture of the immediate area, the building

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

has assimilated important archetypes <>f the region, among

This project was noted for its intelligent use and interpreta-

other ways through the extension of lis park and water pools.

tion of traditional architecture and of general Islamic urban

But, it has also drawn upon architectural ideas of lasting

concepts. H i e influence of vernacular architecture in it is

value from many civilisations around ihe world. Through his

abstract and at the same time fundamental. It is a contempo-

though t Ful and intelligent search for form, the architect has

rary work of architecture i n harmony with the international

clarified an approach to architectural design that does nor

architectural main-stream. The building mass is isolated from

copy elements of regional architecture, and that does not

its surroundings and designed like a citadel, as the function

Import either contemporary or historically derived vocabular-

and nature of this Ministry dictate such segregation for

ies of form from other parts of the wo:ld. The architect has

reasons of security and privacy.

re-interpreted and transfooned these ideas through a process

fn opposition to the blank and foriiidding exterior, the

that applied concepts of construction technology to condi-

interior spaces are volumetrically lively, exciting, spectacular

tions specific to the Dhaka locale. The result is a building

and hierarchically organised around 'streets'. The extensive

that, while universal i n its sources of forms, aesthetics and

use of water and natural light softens and enhances the

technologies, c o u l d be in no other place.

quality of interior spaces, i n spite of less than successful decorative schemes. Simplicity and complexity are outstand-

inslitul du Monde Arabc, Paris, France

ing features of the design. This lavish and expensive building

blending harmoniously with the banks of the Seine and

conveys a sense of economy and clarity.

provided with a beautiful site i n Paris, the InsUtul du Monde Arahe is a showcase of contemporary architecture w h i c h has

National Assembly Building, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

liecome a popular attraction i n Paris and a source of pride

Bangladesh

among the communities of Arabs and other Muslims. It

. . the most beautiful architecture in one of the poorest countries of the w o r l d . W e are so proud/

aspires i n its architecture to serve as a place of thought about Islamic culture and admiration for its artistic heritage and,

This idea has been voiced over and over by ordinary citizens,

alone outside of the Muslim w o r l d , it has given importance to

government officials and professional architects alike i n

contemporary arts from Arab lands. Although not successful

ISangladesh. Faced with an Imposing architectural work of

in all aspects of Us design and at times overly complex lo use

extraordinary power, clarity of form and beauty, the jury

with ease and comfort, the geometry of Its facades and the

could not help but question the compatibility of Sher-e-

numerous activities it houses have succeeded in maintaining

Bangla Nagar with the needs and aspirations of a poor

cultural exchanges between the Arab world and France; the

country. Yet, review of the history of the building s design

initiators of the project, hoth French anil Arab, have made a

and construction, plus on-site studies, surveys, and discus-

successful bridge between their cultures.

57

RESTORATION OF THE GREAT O MAR J MOSQUE SI D O N ,

L E B A N O N

Client; Ibe Department

of Islamic Awqaj' Sidon.

Architect

Saleh lumei Mostafa, Cairo, iQypt. Patron: Rafia

til-Hariri.

París. Completion date: January

19B6.

The Great or al-Omarl Mosque is located i n the old city of

One significant

Sidon which is situated about forty-five kilometres south of

cracks and repainting

if the joints l¡et¡vet"¡ the stones;

The interim

showing the bi#b standard

Beirut. This port city has a significant and ancient history which goes hack to the second millennium B C . It suffered

evident

aspect of the restoration

courtyard

m the

irorh rius the repairinx of

of

OPPOSITE: unrltmansbip

masonry

numerous destructions at the hands of the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. Islam was introduced to Sidon in 636-37. The Crusaders took the city in 1100, hut the polities of the region see-sawed, and it continued to change hands between Crusaders and Muslims until 1260 when It was badly destroyed by the Mongols. In 1291 the llahri Mamluks from Egypt, under the Sultan Nasir Mohammed binQala'un, invaded and took the city. It remained under Mamluk influence until the arrival of Ottomans, whose rule lasted until W o r l d War I. The nmsque i t s e l f l i e s o n a high mound to the west of the old city, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Results of the soil analysis o n the part of the 'hill' which slopes towards the sea-front, and o n w h i c h the western riwaqwan built, showed that it was artificial. The most likely interpretation is that it once formed part of the ramparts of the Crusader fortress o n which the mosque was later built. O n l y a few wall fragments remain of this Crusader fortress; these include parts of a buttress o n the south facade, a few pointed arches, and the ribbed vault of the northern riwaq which still stand. In the original refectory of this fortress a mosque was built, and named after Omar Ibn al-Khattab. It is the oldest standing mosque i n Sidon, and it was severely damaged by bombing and gunfire during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Its restoration was conceived and executed under the Israeli occupation, thus symbolising the political will and resistance of the local community who commissioned the work under such trying circumstances. Natural and human catastrophes have caused many changes, and damaged the building. Sea storms in 1820, an earthquake in 1837, and the bombardment of the port by the British-Austrian fleet in 1840 have all raken their toll o n the mosque. Modifications and repairs o n the mosque in 1870 and

respectively caused the reorientation of the w i n d o w

openings as well as the demolition of an earlier ablution fountain. Reconstruction of the vaults of the prayer room, the three domes of the southern riutm and the east doorway to the courtyard were all undertaken during the 1895 repairs, judging by its style, the minaret must belong to the building phase of 1848-49- The last restorations o n the mosque were

39

ActhiitttLi ro for Islamic Societies

carried out in 1979 when reinforced concrete roofs were built Over the prayer hall and t lie western nn'aq. Many varied causes led to the dercrloration of the Ornari Mosque. Sea winds bearing salts and sand damaged die exterior face o f the stones, especially those on ihe west facade. Changes in seasonal temperatures, especially diurnal extremes, resulted in the formation of fissures in the walls. A lack of funds meant That there was no proper maintenance of rhe building, cracks in the roof went unrepaired, and the ensuing seepage and Leakage of water damaged the walls, masonry and plaster; furthermore fungi developed. The minaret suffered when its wrought-iron strengthening rings started to corrode. Leakages from the modern sewage system encouraged water infillraiion. W h e n the Awqaf finally got around l o repairing the mosque in 1979 their use of reinforced cement only acceleraled the delerioralion of the building. It Increased the load o n the original structure, and weakened the fabric. Wherever the two marerials met, the original and the new cement, the differences lierweert their porosity, hardness and expansion rates caused further cracks to appear in the mosque. The final straw was the 1962 bombing and shelling of the port ol'Sidon by the Israeli occupation forces. Since the Great Oniari Mosque was the main centre of resistance against the Israelis, it became their focal shelling point from the sea. Extensive damage was caused, including the partial collapse of certain parts of the mosque, namely the vaulting of the prayer l u l l , its northern wall, and the southern riwaqwith

its

three domes. The minaret tiecame detached from the wall, longitudinal cracks appeared, and a number of stones were dislodged. The southern and western facades also developed numerous and deep cracks. Even the hill itself was scarred, pitted, and split by the impact of rhe shelling. Following the destruction of the al-Omari Mosque. Mr Rafiq a 1-1 l i r i n , a native of Sldon living and working in Saudi Arabia, offered to build the town a new mosque. The town decided otherwise; they preferred to rebuild and restore their old mosque. The preparation of the restoration project was entrusted to Prof Laroei Mostafa, and work commenced immediately after approval was granted by the Department of Antiquities and the Ministry of Awqaf In Sidon. The construction company, Oger Liban which was owned by Mr Hariri, provided the coordination. Photographs and measured drawings were made earlier by the architect and his students. The aim of the restoration project was to prevent the collapse of the remaining and slill standing parts of the mosque, to reconstruct the sections that had lieen destroyed and to consolidate the damaged areas. The mosque was lo he restored to its former function as the Friday Mosque of Sidon where it could provide the local community with a gathering place for social, political and religious activities. Another objective was the revitalisation of the traditional building crafts of this economically depressed area of Southern Lebanon. T h e O m a r i Mosque is the dominant architectural feature of the city. Situated in a densely populated part of the old town

40

Great Oman Mosque

with the sea-shote running along its west side, li has houses,

Jbv Mosque and minaret prior to mloratlon:

a school and a bath-house bordering lis north and east

rather than omale

facades. The main access to die mosque Is from the north

railing

and noodcn

OPPOSITE

minaret cantm-Ha with a dcHtatc canopy 10 font' a singular

A simple,

u'rtiiitfl't inm

landmark

in Sidon

through a lane which leads from the bath-house l o the mosque. A second and more recent entrance can be found In the eastern

ritvaq

which connects it with Zabr-al-Amlr Streei-

The total ground floor area o f ihe building comprises 1.500 square metres while the total site area Is 1,975 square metres. The plan of the mosque is a simple one: entrance is possible through the northern riwaq which in turn leads into an open courtyard that has rttvaqson all sides. Entry into the long, rectangular prayer hall is possible through the southern riwaq which has four cross vaults rhat spring from the walls, and which are supported by exterior bultresses. The other r f w o f r h a v e four cross-vaults over pointed arches that are supported by p i e r s - o n l y the central section of the southern riwaq is covered by three domes. The western ritraq is the deepest, and Is covered by a pitched roof. The minaret is centrally positioned in the northern wall o f the prayer hallThe mosque is almost entirely constructed of local sandstone, quarried from Qasimiya near the southern border, The same mortar, a mix of lime and sand, was used throughout the original building. However, some o f the later Ottoman work reveals the use o f "black pan mortar" made o f lime, mud and ash, especially beneficial against humidity. Limestone is used only as an infill. The principal concerns of the restoration project were the consolidation and reinforcement o f the mosque to prevent its collapse. Investigations were conducted on the structural conditions of the building to determine the interventions that would be necessary. Analyses of the soils, mortar and stones had to be completed prior to the commencement of work. Documentation, drawings and photographs o f the building fabric prior to restoration also had to be made. This was an essential task, needed both for ihe official records of the project as well as for distinguishing and differentiating the reconstructed and restored parts from that of the original. All the elements that had. been destroyed were rebuilt. These included walls, piers, arches, vaults, domes and the roof of the mosque. The upper, cylindrical section o f the minaret was dismantled, the stones were brought d o w n , numbered and restored to their original places. All small cracks were filled in. Concrete was removed from the vaulting and was replaced with a damp'proofing mortar. Salt accretions, fungi and dust were cleaned off the building. Liter additions such as the mosaic tiles were replaced by a marble pavement which recreated the simple geometric designs already found in the prayer hall. New wooden doors and shutters, gypsum lattice windows with inlaid coloured glass la prototype was made in Egypt and a reproduction was made on sitej. and metal lattices for the lower pans of the windows were specially manufactured for ihe mosque, as were the chandeliers and the lanterns. All of these were designed to be specifically appropriate for this historic setting. The wooden shutters were made of 'katrani' pine

41

Architecture hır Islamic Societies

42

Great Oıruri Mosque

col leered from old buildings, and designed with motifs preserved on existing doors. Finally, [lie hill o n which the mosque stands was consoli­ dated, its Cracks and fissures were filled in wilh a mixture' o l

FROM ABOVE

Bearing

mills permit a re&ilar pattern

rib i * uta mlto* spate fx>rfenestra t ia/f, OTPOSITF. Tbp restoretl fırayer

area, xboirinjt the intricate pattern

uvmh'ii

iiiUiiK

plateau

werl'MttririK the sea

ami brass lamps. theMıiscııe

ufstonework:

FROM

MiO\T.

uf the

in eonie.xt. on a high

lime, gypsum, ash and sand, and the foundations adjacent to the southern facade were strengthened. A reinforced con­ crete retaining wall was huilt to support and contain the soil. During the restoration work any stones found o n the site were re-used. When stones had to lie replaced, stones from adjacent old buildings were found to take their place. O n l y a few of the larger elements such as lintels and drain spouts were made from new stone. They were traditionally worked with a hammer and chisel. New mortar was prepared, based on the analysis and mix o f the originah using a mixture of lime, clay and ash. Kaolin was added for flexibility in places where expansion and contraction could occur due to tempera lure changes. Gravel was placed over the vaulting, and over an infill o f lime, gypsum, ash and coarse sand. Traditional techniques were employed wherever it was feasible to d o so. This was especially true for the rebuilding of the collapsed domes, vaults and arches of the mosqueTraditional building crafts had to be releamed. As in other parts of the developing world, the introduction of cement and reinforced concrete had caused most o f the old I mil ding techniques to lie laid aside for the new. Even the craft for manufacturing the wooden shuttering for the domes and vaults had to be relaught; they v e r e made and remade until the desired quality was attained. The stones were cleaned with brushes and potable water. No chemicals o r mechanical devices were used. Detailed recommendations were specified lor the upkeep and main­ tenance of the building, including specific soaps for cleaning surfaces, and formalin which was to In: used against fungi. O n l y a few new materials were introduced into the restoration process. An epoxy resin mixed with sand was used to fill in the cracks and thereby consolidate the walls. It was also used to provide a damp-proof course. Another intrusive modern material was bars o f steel, utilised for reinforcing. An iron anchor, covered wilh lead to avoid corrosion, was also Introduced Into the minaret in order to strengthen it. An average of seventy-five workers constituted the work force. Druzes, Sunn i Muslims and Christians, some brought from neighbouring mountain villages, worked together on this project. The Christians had to later leave Sidon. The architects, and civil engineers, the contractor and the consultant were all local professionals. The architects were former students of Prof Saleh Lamel Mostafa (himself trained in archtieclural restoration at Aachen University in Germany), and the Great Mosque o f Sidon was their first professional experience, Work commenced in February

but the actual

restoration work liegan i n July o f that year. The project was completed by January 15flfj, and the Great Mosque was officially inaugurated on February ¿1st 19H6.

43

Architecture fur Islamic Societies

•IT

Greai Omjíi Mosque

The tola! cost of the restoration was seven million Lebanese Liras, o r roughly aboul US 3274,000. The cost proved to be higher than anticipated because of the high rate of

Floor plan:

OPPOSITE:

7V> oivrcowi'

Hie illfftaitty

ofh"ilttl*
on

ifcvp slupv. ¡i m<:-si iv stout terrace aits hail' it ¡ni 'his has been •t'n'tiglbem'd

Inflation, and difficult w o r k i n g conditions under the Israeli occupation. Upon closer inspection (that is. once the scaffolding was erected), it was discovered that the building was i n far worse structural condition than had been previously thought. The entire budget was donated by Mr Rafiq al-llariri. The Great Omari Mosque of Sidon was returned to its original function as the traditional symliol o f the city. It now not only serves a s a gathering place for all Muslims but it also houses all the political and social meetings of the t o w n . Religious lectures and teachings are also p a n o f its function. Students use it as a place to study their homework, l>enefiting from the free electricity and its quiet spaces. Due to the political situation in Lelxtnon it has not been possible to make an o n site survey of the mosque since it has received the Aga Khan Award. It is to be hoped that n o w the political situation has improved in Lebanon it will be possible for the outside w o r l d to visit this impressive monument. A special tribute must IJC- paid to the people of Sidon. their sheer audacity i n not being willing to give up o n their mosque, reconstructing and restoring it even In the teeth o f an alien occupying force. Their sense of enterprise is lo be commended.

45

R K H A m U T A T l O N O F ASII.AH A S İLAH, M O R O C C O Client: Loca! Population

and Municipality

Patrons: AS-MoubU Cutiural Association Bcnaîssa

and Mohammed

oj'Asiiab. (Mohammed

Melehi, founding

AsUah. Gotnptetioti dare. 1978and

menihem).

ongoing

The town iif Asilah Is strategically Located on the shores of

FKOM AlKJi'H

[he Akmik' Ocean, on [he riQTth-western i i p of Morocco, h

d'mensl"nal

lies forty-two kilometres SOUth-eaSl o f Tangier? In fairly flat countryside, IL IS, an old town with walls and ramparts dating

Oİean

AH niti-tpn-ltte *ıte piuıl trxbniipm

whitewashed

aerialpbuu-grapb

stirfdtes

[o the Portuguese occupation of Asilah. when it was used as a

alfftfi mam 'honnt#hjares

trailing post. There Is a natural harbour o n the north-west

the buddings

t,tii:-rrry

nf Asılab.

mm• predominate

Hm/d enet" m menial sense, helping tHAF- •'• •• -<•'!• ••' plan;

ojAsdah

mhom

CiPP^SiTii

Fir Asilah and make

Interiors !<• keep aid:

site plan 'if the inedma.

OVhif-

'he . • • ;

fatude*

f)iitra<-l a rib the ı—riRb xrei s'oiieu'irh

stdi m tbepn+ess

„f

oj

rehabilitation

side of the rown. Inside the walls, the town follows the pattern of most old Arab medinas in the Mediterranean area, with courtyard houses lining the narrow alleyways. Some Spanish influence i,s evident on the facades of the houses especially i n the -style of the balconies. The pro|cct began after the return of Mohammed iSena'issa to this, his home town. In

He had been absent for

twenty years. He bought a house in Asilah. renovated it. and l>egan to live In it. The town, by all accounts, was a mess. It was filthy, the removal and disposal of the town's garbage was inadequate, and the streets were nor paved. Asilah had no pharmacy o r doctor, and the electricity lines and water mains were insufficient antl nut of date. Electric cables had been installed by the Spaniards in 192(V To improve his town. Mohammed bena'issa and his friend Mohammed Melelu. a painter and the 1'resident o f the Moroccan I'ainters Association, decided to run for office. As soon as they were elected to the Municipal Council they initiated a study on the state of (he town's cleanliness. They discovered that the eleven garirage collectors with their donkeys spent most o f their time knocking o n people's doors and asking people Hi give them their garbage. As there was no money in the Municipal coffers to change the system, they decided that the inhabitants of the town had to be involved, and made to participate in its Improvement, Residents were asked to pm their garbage outside their houses, ready for [-olleetion: this they did- It was from this humble beginning that the rehabilitation o f Asilah startedThe next step was to improve the external appearance o f the town. As l>otti patrons o f the project were involved in the world of art and culture they Invited their artist friends Hi come and paint some walls in the town. In l " 7 g eleven painters accepted and participated in this exercise. Children 1

kelped and they too were Incorporated into maintaining the r

beauty' and the cleanliness o f the town by competitions, prizes and gifts which were given Hi those w h o showed the most promise. Older people were also involved, and within a

•r

ArcbireCTure for ı-L.mi. Societies

i ' . • .i

of ASILLII

iArctlilectureft>rIslamic Societies

Rehabilitation of Asilah

short space of lime [he whole populaıLon of The l o w n was

A i v r elements in tbe design bate hvvu tatvfally

activated. The next move was fo convince the T o w n Council

e.vtsttnRfahrn.

m pave tile streets, an J rather than have die normal plain paving. Mohammed Melehi developed an artistic paltern uf

supplemented an

FROM ABOVE

Asilah present* a unified and

aspect ti> the sea:

dial the children of [he l o w n should have something beauti­

scheme is tbe integration of Existing and

ful to contemplate anil walk on. These designs were adopted,

Ore

concept used in Ibt ttiwrt plait;

curved lines forming a series of waves. His reasoning was

u nulxrnsiie

into tbf

has

exist in/t sKrcb; Rates anil thresholds, fur prttHKy,

important part of the ttrralt

OVERLEAF.

integrated

OPPOSITE FROM ABOVE, AVN- htnistnft

an important feature

Impressive

ufibe Asilah

rehah'litatiini

ne.t Imildlttus

inan

nat

and carried out. V( lth this successfully behind them, the two patrons ;

decided that they should organise an annual summer an festival. It was named "Asilah's Cultural Festival' and an association. The Al-Mouhit Cultural Association, was estab­ lished to organise it. N o sooner were these associations founded than they Immediately clashed with investors w h o were interested in building tourist hotels anil complexes and encouraging an 'International Festival" to bring the tourists to Asilah. Uena'issa strongly opposed this policy as intnisive and disruptive of the cultural integrity of Asilah. The conflict became a national one, and initiated a debate o n the extent thai a society should be willing to go to generate income From tourism, henalssa Insisted all along that any project thai did not include the local people's full participation, and which did not generate an income for them, w o u l d nol benefit the town. Only the foreign Investors and their local backers w o u l d benefit from such a project. The role of the local population w o u l d be relegated to that of photographers' models, Under combined pressure from the media and local population, the touristic hotel project failed to get a start. Uena'issa transfonned the festival into a minim, or season, thus relating it to religious and cultural activities of the town. The Spanish Government gave the Raissouni Palace to the project, and l^nalssa restored it for use as die festival's headquarters. Participants of the festival were alsı» to he housed in the palace. In 1978 the first group of writers, thinkers and painters were invited for the Inaugural summer of cultural activities in Asilah. The following year the King gave his blessing to the project, and officially asked the government agencies concerned to help Asilah. In 19^3 BenaTssa became the President of the Municipal Council of Asilah. with Mohammed Melehi as his assistant. The main objective of the project was the renovation and rehabilitation of the town of Asilah. This was to be funded by the cultural activities of the festival which were to he aimed at a Mortocan audience. The festival would also generate work and Income for the local population, liy providing the Labour force or producing the materials, the people and the children of Asilah were made to actively participate in all aspects of their town's development- The project's hope for the future was that pride in their self-reliance w o u l d motivate the people of Asilah to become responsible for the upkeep, the general well-being, and Future Improvements of their town. The improvement and extension of infrastructure including running water, sewerage and electricity was one of the many functional requirements of the new town, as was the restore t ion and rehabilitation of historical buildings such as the

51

ArchitGCture Ihr Islamlc SoLlnies

KehtfbllllLLtKHi o í A s i l a n

Architif ture for Islamic Societies

Kchahiliraıion of Asil ah

Portuguese fortifications, [he Kamra Tower and [he Kaissounl

TrittlHiuuul.

Palace (early twentieth century), The construction of new

spt4tes kel'iwri

houses within die old City were 10 replace those beyond

catuat

soubs. ubub

milk

A .-.

, • . 1 . . up ...

uml Rrtuıps- uf btumnji.

«"tfra*t

U> tk -Mitidtfy ttf ıvntea!surfıicn;

ABOi'f'-

Mmonry

t

Îttıttnıt*

pu'Hlnulf

pnn itir a

OPPOSITE. 'be fmfl ifU-U'UİI.

salvation, while the public spaces were to l>e re-arranged for

'Icttiils. SUCb m Stepped Cui'sui- tn-iuiiaSi'ins

uritl

commercial activities, such as a market place. A new port was

untitles,

tbe hunt

prtttidra

ww
nmly thmughmri

interttitial itAattrftd FROM /Willi

lepett'itiji

to be created and decorative pavings and murals designed by local artists were to he imruducedThe rehabilitation programme also included the transfor­ mation or the Rai&souni Palace to accommodate art studios, workshops for children, laboratories and a hall for cultural gatherings; the building of [he Massan II exhibition centre and I he creation of an open-air theatre within the old Portuguese walls, a hall for film shows, and an exhibition space for the plastic arts. The campaign l^egan by calling o n all piofessional. educated people, and their relatives who had pro]>eny in Asilah to renovate it, keeping within the traditional methods and mode's. This call was answered with great enthusiasm by the loeal house owners as well as by Moroccan intellectuals and artists from elsewhere. Fven expatriate Moroccans came flocking to Asilah to buy. and to renovate. As a result construction in Asilah has almost doubled during the last decade, already resulting, according to Rena'issa. in the i t novation of about sixty percent of Aslkih's buildings. Official town records show that ten to fifteen dwellings are renovated each year, and this in a town that only comprises twelve hundred houses within its old walls. Asilah-s growth has l>een very tightly controlled. No hotel complexes or re-sun areas are a l l o w e d : the town prefers and wants to re-use the existing physical environment by restor­ ing a n d upgrading it. Since 1W1 the Al-Mouhit Cultural Association lias annually renovated the sanitary facilities o f ten houses lvelonging to poor people, taeh house costs M D H <Jiu (US 41 " M D H

to improve. In summer the owners

can rent out their houses to visitors or tourists for about M i l l I 2-3^l"t) per month while they stay with relatives. \ew houses in Asilah are now huill of reinforced concrete columns and beams although some use load-bearing brick walls and partitions, There are JISO l o j d - l Hearing stone walls. Reinforced, hollow tiles are used lor the floors of new buildings. Concrete and hollow bricks are the most common materials used for walls, while the facades are generally rendered with cement covered with a lime wash. The lini.^hing can include cedar woodworks as well as imdiiional ceramic tiles I zcflp. Marble and ttfher expensive materials are rare. lliese new houses are built in plots left J

empty alter the demolition o f the original old houses. They frequently integrate elements salvaged from the ruins doorways, n l n d o w frames and arches are the most popular elements collected. Most of the renovation and restoration work has lieen carried out by local master mastım and workers using traditional construction methods and materials. The technology is fairly simple as (he town does not possess skilled labourers.

55

Architecture for Islamic Societies

Rehabilitation of Asilüll

The project Marled İn 197JS and is ongoing; the total coat is therefore u n k n o w n . However, the town's budget increased from M D H 1,800,000 before 1978 to 10,900,000 in 1969, This gives some idea of the costs since the increase includes all

Aside /rom 'he high visibility of mi nam's, relatively ctmstant cornice bei%bis contribute to an overall impression of continuity throughout 'be ıırlıan ama; OPPOSITE? ~i~i>e minam' iftbe Friday Mosque İS a prominent vertical landmark, tbttt helps visitors establish a dimtt'onai rc/emnce In the compact context of Asitub

the maintenance costs o f the town plus the salaries o f the employees. The town Is continuously looking for external money to help with the restoration process. For example, the Portuguese Government financed some o f the renovation work on the old t o w n , and Shell O i l company gave the town two hundred garbage barrels. The whole town of Asilah has benefited from its rehabilita­ tion. In 1992 the population o f the town was eighteen thousand; today it may be as high as twenty-five thousand, out o f which only four to five thousand inhabit the old t o w n . The average Income per family was less than US S50 a month In the 1970s; today It Is approximately U 5 $ l 4 0 . Most o f the town's people are quite proud o f A s i l a h , and o f the fact that during the last decade it has become well k n o w n to all o f Morocco and even internationally, especially after winning the Aga Khan Award. They are pleased and feel lucky that they have better water, electricity, and sewage systems than before, and a telephone network that works. O n the other hand they feel intimidated by the summer cultural activities, and say they are too sophisticated for them, 'above their level' in the words of a local inhabitant. Other complaints range from the costly price o f the festival tickets, to dislike o f the wave patterns o f the murals, or even to the un-Islamic aspects of some of the cultural events, and the loss o f their beaches through the building o f a new port. These first charges are refuted by the T o w n Council who say that they distribute six hundred (out o f two thousand) tickets free of charge to those w h o really cannot afford to buy them. The most serious charge against the project seems to be that presented by many of the poorer residents o f the old town w h o say that (hey have been forced to move out because o f the high costs of upkeep demanded o f them for their old houses. The land value was five M D H per square metre prior to the creation o f the summer festival, and no one was buying. N o w the land values have risen sharply and people are benefiting by selling their houses, o r selling small plots within their property to help restore the rest. Benaissa defends the ideas and policies o f the Association by saying we changed the people's income without changing their behaviour, preserving the origin of the soul while developing theapiiearance'. He also states that Al-Mouhlt gives financial aid to help those who cannot afford the renovation o f their property. However, typically, and as in other developing Countries, the people o f A s i l a h . especially the young, d o not want to dirty their hands. They want to have an office job OF work in a leather factory, emulating what they think is the bourgeois European thing to do. They d o not want to accept manual jobs. Each summer Asilah is inundated wUh thousands o f tourists and visitors, 150,000 of them. They stay in the hotels and rent the houses, they eat in the restaurants, and l)oosi the

57

Architecture ftır Mıuiık ftfctecies

Rehabilitation ırf Asilah

commercial activities by buying ılıt local crafts. A multitude

Jhi- fi<ırwik>*> tirth.

of services are generated by this yearly invasion, of which the

Ibn-iijib-'ml fnii-l;

local people are die chief beneficiaries. During these summer

The combination ; i

i JHP

l a m ı n mwiB

SUIISVia Hi Asilal'.

survive for ihc rest of the year when the economy is mori­

serrriiytf

months each year the town, its municipality and people are dragged out of their lethargy by the remarkable vision of Benaissa, Melehi and their friends. liy providing the infrastructure, a sound economic basis, the necessary know-how. and the professional knowledge and good sense of its members, the AhMauhfl Cultural Association hopes to keep on helping and educating the people, especially the youth of the town. Today, the town \> clean, its streets are paved and electricity and telephones work. Even though the problem with the sewage has not been completely resolved, the plans for upgrading It are there. However, danger Is still present in the shape of the speculators anil builders who keep up the pressure on the people to sell. They want to lake advantage of the unique situation of the town to build new houses, to change and modernise the town, in fact to urbanise it. That, of course, would destroy Asilah. It is, therefore, of the utmost impor­ tance that an urban rehabilitation plan for Asilah he made by a specialised team. This plan would then have to be accepted by all parries concerned, including the town and the Ministry of Awujal. and then placed under the jurisdiction of [he Ministry of Interior. Without an official policy the town of Asilah could easily lapse into the same nightmarish scenario that has afflicted and destroyed so many scenic spots on lite Mediterranean. Tourism can bring great eco­ nomic benefits lit an area. It can also just as easily destroy, killing the goose lhat lays the golden egg. It has to be carefully regulated and controlled.

tt>nt

irtlb piilhisb-retl

u-hue wells

ii Uh tb,- Majtrett Is n htted

xpHLt'.* OPPfülTK.

ufa bot, dry climate

months they accumulate the resources ihat help them to bund; and the people fall back on their old ways. Hor a few

trbicb is uleniifiee'

awl primle

1-ktlM A fit MX

moil uf the year, n an-frvii'wiitv

huts iriiiisformii't!

and \jK<\tm ntar the

nial'tv

60

GRAMEEN BANK HOUSING PROGRAMME VARIOUS LOCATIONS, BANGLADESH Client: Landless Members oj Grameen Bank Grameen

Bank (Mohammed

Ywins. Managing

Dhaka. Completion Date-. ¡984

and

Planner. Director).

ongoing

Bangladesh is a tropical country with seasonal monsoons

A participant

during which a high rainfall occurs. Associated with die

which made ber bouseptmible.

OPPOSITE A clean

flab, on itbicb So build, basan

cnorrrtotıi

monsoons arc tidal surges and an increased run-off front [lie mountains to the north o f the country: these can. and do.

in fbe programme

m.rib and human

proudly displays ibe payment

book

concrete

Unpad oil hygiene, setf-

diyudy

cause disastrous floods. Cyclonic storms are also frequent In the south- It is a poor and populous land o f seventy-eight million Inhabitants, eighty-five per cenr of w h o m can he considered rural. O f those, sivty per cent can he classified as landless. In a country where the national income per capita is estimated at about US SI 40 per annum, the income level of the landless rural population is virtually that o f the destitute. It is this landless rural population that are hit the harde.st by the annual monsoon flooding and the cyclones. Their sufferings are augmented by the fact thai they usually have to live o n marginal lands, in frail, feeble shelters o r makeshift homes that leave them exposed to every risk. Although the landless poor provide the bulk of the agricultural labour force in Bangladesh, a substantial propor­ tion o f them also engage i n a variety o f other activities such as weaving, mat making, small scale nailing, rearing gnats o r sheep, keeping pigeons, sewing, rice husking and making pottery. Because they lack the financial resources their time is not used productively, they cannot buy the materials or tools that are needed to allow them to expand and rise above the poverty line. The drameen Hank Programme was started In li)7o In the tillage of Jobnt by r>r Mohammed Yunus. the then Director of the Rural Economics Programme, o f the Department o f Economics in Chiuagong University, tt set out to provide credit to the rural, landless poor for income generating activities, and offered it to them at the l o w interest rate of sixteen per cent. Because they lack the collateral, the poor are normally barred from obtaining credit from official institutions They are then forced to borrow from the private sectoral exorbitant Interest rates. The significant and truly revolutionary aspect o f the Gmmeen Bank Programme was that it required no collateral from its poor customers. They had to repay their debt through their o w n commercial or artisanal activities. The condition of the Grameen Bank Programme was that people organise themselves into small groups who could act in concert and with discipline. The group w o u l d ovetsee the punctual payments of the loan Instalments of all their

61

AxchUeCturc for islanüt" S o r t i e s

62

Grameen Bank Housing Programme

members - if not the group had to pay. Thin ensured suffi-

Wl'sssvii batf plt'yetl is levy rule 'is ibe

cient peer pressure from within.

jin-grimi'm-.

The Grameen Bank Programme was transformed Into an independent hank w ith the name cif [he Grameen Bank in

ami

ban/ahvi

O H M N f M t t o b (H'lflSUIz: isfisml

lit.'

bttn iltwly

I I K I M

iwlieti

uf she

ICIIIISIIR

In b<mse

A Is^bl nrexpeir^'iv ns>h *bisf.

trifjipctl

Iyi"il**-

L9H3. The Government provided sixty per cent of the initial paid up share capital while ftmy per tent w a s held hy the borrcrwers (if ihe Hank- Recently this w a s revised and set at twenty-five per cent for the Gcivernmem, with the remaining seventy-five percent to l v l o n g to the borrowers. The Bank's conditions Fin membership are as follows: any person whose iamily owns less than O.s acre* of cultivable land, and whose assets together do not exceed the market value of one acre o l medium i|iiallly land i n the area. Is eligible for Loans for income-generating activities from the Grameen Hank. Only one person from each household Is allowed tit become a member. T o get a loan lie or she must form a group of five like-minded people from similar economic and social backgrounds. They elect a chairman and secretary, anil hoLl weekly meetings. St onetimes several groups in a village get together and form a "Centre' with an elected Centre Chief and Deputy Chief. The Centre Chief then conducts the weekly meetings, and is responsible for the observance of the rules of the Ikink. Mel ween t w o and ten groups can form a centre, the average lieing six groups. Eighty-four percent of the Grameen bank members are women. In fact, the belief o f the Hank is that women are a potential and reliable economic force amongst the poor. Over the past decade the members of tin.' Bank have evolved a manifesto, called the 'Sixteen decisions", which is adhered to by all the groups. Loans are given to individual members or to the group as a whole, each loan being valid for one year only. It is paid back m weekly instalments, each l v i n g two percent of the total amount. In addition, every group member de|W»sits one laka per week (TK i" * US 41) as a personal saving which i ^ placed into the G r o u p J-und Account. * ' h e n a group member receives a loan an obligatory deduction of five per cent of the loan amount, k n o w n as a ' G r o u p T u t ' , is deposited into the G r o u p Kund Account where it can be used for the lenefit of the meml>ers. O n approval from the group, members can then borrow from this fund. In addition, a member pays a weekly sum into an 'Emergency Fund' which is set al a rate of one'fourth of the total Interest being paid to die Hank. This i * basically an insurance against default, death, disability, accident or other disasters. The maximum Individual loan is TK 5000 (US Jl6f>J. although proven borrowers can get more. The smallest l o j u o n record was for one taka. Each centre is looked after by it Orameen Bank Branch Assistant who attends the weekly meetings and collects the payments. He identifies future cusioliters, distributes the loans, supervises the groups under his charge, and ensures that accounts are kept and payments paid back on lime. In fact, lie is Involved In many extension activities with his gnjups. taeh Grameen bank Branch Assistant i^ responsible for up to ten centres, and. with an average of six groups per centre, that means seeing up to three'hundred people j*er

63

Arclıiıecıure foc Islamic Societies

Grameen tiank Housing Programme

week. He works out of a branch office ttuU supervises and

flttXM ABOVh

services some sixty centres Located in about twenty villages-

alioııs

Ten branch offices are supervised by »ne Area Office

far

Strutlurut

t rvalue

Structure; catKT*M posts, for in a far

less energy-fnteusw

covering an area of two hundred square miles which in lurn

appropriate

is supervised by a Zonal Office. Ivach Zonal Office looks after

prt.t uled. mdHtdttal

an average of eight Area Offices. These Zonal Offices have a high degree of autonomy and are given a free hand lo administer their areas. The head office is based in Dhaka, and

tyslcm "f hmic ./ml*; uiiwlfty tlryttiff mild

variation

teihwlw.

and

different or/jami forms fit

way.

OPPOSITh

- i . •••• the pussihdities Uılıe

1 bsH

the small nuiage

struttnral frame

Is

reed

lieep roof ove/biotf--

Industrie*, such as ııvarınn.

haee helped resident! impriwe their standard if hviufi and limit

bul

uf

owners are able to eiecl readily available

panels to enciiise their hinises-; 'IVIiHLHiM': accommix/ate

tilth

the houses hare bs*W prefabricated,

irhuh repay

the

loan

it oversees the whole pro|eet. By March lvH9 the Grameen bank had 53.5170 members spread out over 11.793 villages in nine ?ones of Bangladesh. There are 571 branches i n operation looking after 2 1 , f i l i centres. O f these centres. 1H.H3I are comprised rif female groups and only 2.781 are of male groups. Excluding the Housing Loans, the Grameen bank has currently distributed just o v e r T K 4.013,530,000, or US S 1 3 3 , 7 t f 4 . m As of June the astonishing recovery mle was 9^.35 percent The Housing Loan Programme was initiated i n October l }84 l

after a National Workshop during which Grameen Bank

workers exchanged their practical experiences and ideas From this exchange it became clear that as the income generating capacity of the Grameen Bank borrowers improved their demand for better housing increased. The decision was then made to start a Housing IrOan Programme as a specific and important part of the Grameen Bank opemtions. and not just as an adjunct to another loanIts aim was to make funds available for Grameen Hank memİH. rs of good standing for building new houses, or L

rehabilitating their o l d ones. Only members w h o regularly paid their dues o n time, and who adhered to the rules, were considered for these loans. And because the sums involved were much larger than those that were available through the general loan programme, new lending policies and proce¬ dures had to be set u p . Preference, as always, was given to i he most needy. A two tier system was established The larger loan, for amounis up to TK 18.000, was called the -Standard Housing Loan', w hile the smaller loans, ol up to TK 10.000. were called "Basic Housing Loans'. They were to lx- repaid al a rate of TK 1.000 per year, so that a person taking out a loan of TK 15,000 had up to fifteen years to pay it back. 17ic housing loan is charged at five per cent interest Instead of the sixteen percent interest charged for the regular or short term loans. The Grameen Bank Housing Loan Programme covers a wide geographical zone which Includes a range of architect lural styles. Most of the houses occupied by the poor are of single storeys with one or t w o rooms at the most, and with the c o o k i n g area and animal shelter clustered around the house forming a yard or outdoor work area. The house space Is multi-purpose and acts as a sleeping area, and a storage space fıtratı the utensils that the family owns including those for ineome generating activities such as weaving and sewing. A ceiling level platform, built using the base of the roof truss, frequently acts as the repository for valuable objects. A number of the houses have interior altars.

65

Architecture for Islamic Societies

Grameen Bank Housing Programme

Tin- archetypal house fonu consists of a rectangular building with ¡1 pitched roof, and hipped or gable ends. They

on the resources to hand. The loan allows for the obligatory purchase on the local o p e n market of eighteen corrugated

j n small, and can measure from 2 x 3 metres to 4 x 7 metres

iron sheets, measuring 2.43*i x O.iteo metres each, and

In size. Most prc-Gramcen Bank houses seem to have been

sufficient to cover the basic house with a simple pitched roof.

1

smaller lhan those bulk with the loans. All are built o n raised

This can be supported by a wooden t* l>amboo roof frame

earth platforms to preserve them from the rising flood waters

which, i n lurn is supported by the four columns and any

of the rainy season. Some houses have windows, others do

other secondary posts.

not. Doorways, made of bamboo malting or w o o d , seem to provide most of the interior light and usually o p e n inwards.

r

Walls can lie filled in with any material chosen and liought by the borrower who also decides on the number and types

In the central area of Bangladesh die houses are mostly

of windows and doors he or she requires. Grameen bank

built with a bamboo or w o o d frame thar can support a light-

staff Favour doors and shutters that open inwards because

weight wall made of either bamhoo matting or jute sticks.

they are not exposed to the sun and ruin, and can therefore

The facades are frequently plastered with mud. Thatched

survive longer. Height-s of plinths and floors are left up to the

roofs are made of grass, rice stems, hainl>oo matting or jute

borrowers. The Grameen Bank has a plan for the basic

sticks. All these materials are not durable, and have to be

house, and makes sure that at least the minimum requirement

replaced almost every two years. Yearly flooding adds to

is achieved. However, the borrower is basically responsible

their brief lives. So thatched roofs are dispensed with as soon

for the real design of their house. A n d even though they

as the owner can afford to buy corrugated sheeting. Some¬

usually choose materials that belong v i l l i in the local architec-

times even the walls are replaced with sheeting.

tural style for their roof* and as fillers.no two houses ever

Bamboo and jute sticks are the cheapest materials to build with. They are also light and can l>e removed and carried to a new location at flood time, and/or easily replacedBamboo is now i n shon supply and -sometimes has to be

seem the same. Since mid-l9tf8. the programme has also required the borrower to build a latrine for the house, using a latrine's base with syphon and cement liners for the pit. These are

Imported from India, thus increasing its price, but jute is still

manufactured by the Grameen Bank production yardi, and

the cheapest material. However, it does not last as long as

are given with the rest of the materials at the start of the

bamboo and is easily attacked by termites. The floors are

house, but the Grameen Bank does nut advise o n their

usually of mud, and frequent mud coats gives the houses a

placement. The Grameen Bank does not involve itself with

neat and clean look. North of Dhaka where flooding is

such details as the siting of a house, it* orientation, or its

common the houses have massive rammed earth and eoh

relation lo nearby buildings. They also do not provide loans

walls, but in 19HS the flood waters rose so high thai many of

for public facilities: however, some centres are using their

these houses collapsed. People now prefer to build a frame

savings fund for selling up schools foi die younger children.

house with light walls, or else include columns i n the comers to help support the roof. More oLjiensive materials, such as

The reinforced concrete pillars and the latrine kits are manufactured at thirty-four different sites across the country , 1

fired brick and reinforced concrete, are rarely used as

using moulds which are easily transpertablc according to

building materials l>y the poor.

demands. The local branch office only needs to specify the

The Grameen Bank Housing Programme proposes a basic house which can be built with a Basic House Loan, and

amounts required. The masons running the production units receive a loan From the Grameen Bank at sixteen per cent

which can he modified and extended by the borrowers if

interest to help them finance the work. The borrower has to

their resources permit it. A Standard House Loan would, of

arrange the transport. T w o pillars canine moved in one

course, provide a larger house but the materials remain the

rickshaw van. and/or three men can carry one pillar at a time.

same. The basic house has a usable floor area of at least

Each column is 3.35 metres long and 13-3 centimetres

twenty square metres. Four reinforced concrete columns,

squared In ctoss section. The production of these pillars

manufactured by the Grameen Bank, are supplied to each

operates a s a n independent Income generating unit. A mason

borrower. The early Grameen Bank Housing Loan houses

and five labourers can produce twenty-nine columns per [lay:

had wooden posts but these proved to be susceptible to

each sells f n r T K 325. They are made with a ini>: o f two parts

termites and unstable during the Hoods. A more secure

cement, to four parts sand, to two pans of brick chips. Each

structure was needed.

column also has four ten millimetre diameter liars and thineen

Reinforced columns were introduced and have proven to be very successful. They provide a secure attachment point

links. The person w h o takes out the loan pays the workers. The concept and the design of the Jtouses originated in

for the walls, and they hold up the roof in such a stable

Bangladesh. Many of the materials are local, although

manner that In times of floods the people can safely sit on

corrugated sheeting is essentially an imported product.

them. The columns are sunk upright into the ground at the

Cement comes from local factories as well as from Indonesia,

four corners of the house, to a depth of U.5U metres.

and the steel for reinforcing is milled in Bangladesh.

Additional posts, made of w o o d l>amboo or reinforced r

concrete have to be provided by the lxurower, and depend

All the Grameen Bank Housing loans are given to the rural poor w h o either live in rural settlements, or on plots of land

67

Architecture fc>r Islamic Siteieiicfi

Grameen tank Housing Programme

sited by roiid embankments or fields. 'Inert is such ¡1 great 1

variety in these houses lhal they cannot lie described, i n general terms. The following descriptions of three specific loans w i l l suffice as examples o f houses built with housing loans granted by the Grameen Bank. Afiya Begum has been a member of the hank for nine

r'KOM ABOVE: The plad ing Siding reinforced witb bamboo strips If achieved tcitb - • .1: 1 . . 1 , . . . . . . . . ' mre. t.bıçh makes the teali surprisingly Strong aid durable; as teitb paslı, sanitary units /or each house are also prefabricated, which bas helped in cutting costs; OPPOStTS, bRGM AlsOVb. Choice'f material mate-a significant difference in the appearance of each duelling, but the iost of each is similar

years. She took out a house loan after her house was de­ stroyed by floods. Her new house stands o n a high platfomi. fourteen square metres, which rises several metres alxwe the level o f the paddy fields that surround it on three sides. The Dhaka-Tangail road lies alongside the fourth side. The house consists of a single room measuring 6 x 4 metres, anil an outbuilding. 2 x 4 metres in size, that functions as a kitchen. The two sections are positioned at right angles to each other and so create a small open-air space that also acts as an Outdoor cooking area. She is also intending to build an outside latrine o n the site. Her husband and three children share the house, in this small space she keeps goats and ducks which help to augment her income. She bought the land from a local landowner with a loan from Grarneen liank. Kamala Begum lives with her husband in a new- Grameen Bank loan house, situated some fifty metres away from the [ibaka-Tangail road, in a small compound with three other households. Her husband owned the eight-hundred and Fifty square metres o n which they built their house, but since shewas the Grameen Bank member the title deeds were trans­ ferred to her name. The houses have a large o p e n area between them, antl sit high above the level of the paddy fields around them. She earns her living by sewing, using a machine she bought with a loan from the Grameen Bank. From her savings she bought her husband a rickshaw. Rahlssa Begum has a t w o - n . o m . 5 x 3 metre house which w j s built with a Grameen Bank housing loan i n the village o f Haliibpur. Munshiganj Upa/ila District. The village consists of many clusters leaving little room for expansion. Her house faces the river bank o n one side and a small neighbourhood open area o n the other three. She has a kitchen shelter. Her husband owned the land and it was transferred to her name. Although it is difficult to expand she wants another loan to add an extension for her four sons and one daughter who live with them. Her income comes from two milk cows which she bought with Grameen Bank Joans. The Grameen Bank Housing Loan Programme started in October 19H4 with a potential house loan of up to TK 15.000. In 1964 these came to a total of 317 loans. The number rose in 19K5 to 1.264. but they decreased i n 19M6 when there were only 416 new housing loans given out. After the disastrous floods of 1987 there was a sharp increase in the number o f borrowers, 21.366 in 1987 and 21,148 in 19HM. This increase coincided with the two tier house loan system mentioned above. In 198M these loan plans were modified and a new. Small Housing Loan was introduced for amounts up to TK H.OOO and renamed the Basic Housing Loan"; the sum was later raised to 1'K 10,000. The "Moderate Housing Loan" was increased 10 TK 1H.UU0. The Basic Loan Is taken nine limes

04

Architecture for Islamic SovteOes

Grameen i?ank Housing Programme

more often ıhan die M o d e m e . In all cases, it is not necessary

Grameen Bank hones to add another twenty-two million US

to take the maximum amount.

dollars to their fund by 1992- Grameen Dank also plans to

The Basic House Loan of TK 10.000 which lias to be repaid

expand the areas it serves, but only a f e r it has trained the necessary staff to carry out this work. The staff ate dedicated

back at five percent interest breaks down as follows:

to the objec tives of the Bank, In Fact, they are really the ones

Reinforced concrete pillars a t T K 325 each

who are responsible for the success o l the operation, a u d i t

TK 1.300

could not have Ijeen achieved without their hard work.

T w o bundles of corrugated iron sheets TK 5.CX30

The reaction of the users has been difficult to measure.

Sanitary lainnc

TK 500

Other materials, roof frame etc

TK 3-200

The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies has tried lo

Total

TK 10.000

assess the reaction of the Grameen Bank Housing Loan house

By the end of 19KB. the Grameen Bank had distributed TK

occupiers. From a survey conducted in i h e T a n g a i l , Dhaka

337.5B2,(«1H to -14,55i- horrowers. at an average of T K H.058

and Rangpur Zones, o n a sample of a hundred and sixteen

per head. Payments are made o n a weekly basis at a mini­

cases, the l>enefiis from moving into the new houses in the

mum rate, bul if the liorrower wishes, the repayments can be

order of their imiioriance is given as follows:

larger and the lime period shortened.

- things are saved from damage caused by rain

But the maximum period is fixed in the ratio of years to thousands, so TK l8 0O0 has to be repaid in eighteen years. r

The repayment rate is running close to a hundred per cent. Funding for the project has primarily come from the

- things are saved from lliieves - a decreased intensity of diseases - increase in the quality of work - increase in social dignity

Bangladesh Central Bank and from foreign donors, including NORAJD. SlDA, C U M . G T Z and [FAD,

- capability of doing more as mental strength increases The most significant factor seems to be that everyone that

The maintenance cost fur these houses is very l o w . It

was visited had plans to go on adding to their houses. Many

i . . - : . ..lb includes the replacement, every two or three years,

have already enlarged their original investments by adding

of the jute and bamboo matting o n the walls. The reinforced

better w i n d o w s , cemented floors, a roofed verandah or even

concrete pillars should last for eighteen years maximum,

additional rooms. However, one cannot and should not

although the corrugated iron sheeting will not survive that

disassociate the physical product of a house and the provi­

long. Termite attacks and humidity cause the deterioration of

sion of a loan front the fact that Grameen Bank has been

the organic materials used in the walls, and these have to he

providing general loans for the promotion of finance genentt-

replaced at Inteivals. Some families have experimented and

ing activities among the Grameen ifctnk borrowers. The

used die poison aldrin at the Irase of bamboo posts lo try lo

Housing Loan, and its end result, is an effective and success­

limit the lermire attacks; others have coaled these posis with

ful operation because the borrowers are already engaged In

liquid bitumen.

activities stimulated by a general Grameen Bank loan which

7

Technically, these house loans are sound. The houses" protection from the rain is g o o d , an important point in monsoon country, and for most households it is a significant

enables them to cope with the repayments o n the house, and embellish it with savings made from their self-employment. The t w o parallel aspects of ihe Grameen Bank loans are

Improvement on their tmditional housing. They also with­

what makes it successful. It w o u l d ncrl have been possible for

stand the Floods betler. After the

poor people to takeout a loan for a house without an income

floods the Grameen

Bank house owners spent less money repairing their houses than those w h o had traditional houses. This was also apparently true for ihe disastrous cyclones that hit the Bangladesh coastline in rhe spring of 1991- The

to repay the loan. The income generating loans provide them with the wherewithal to do that. The vision of Dr Mohammed Yunus in creating such a package is to be commended. It is truly an extraordinary project.

Grameen Bank house owners fared much better, and they lost less of their Ihdongings. The leinforced columns provide a strong frame for the house as long as soil erosion is not a major problem. If erosion becomes serious then the columns can be removed and transported to safer ground. The level of technology required lor building and main­ taining these houses is perfectly adapted to the users. All the materials are Familiar, and no new technical innovation is required. The users have faith in the materials used in their houses, all of w h i c h have been tried and proved successful. Innovative techniques and materials w o u l d prolvably not lie popular with people of such modest needs. The response lo the programme has proved its success and greatness. The number of Ixjrrowers is increasing, and the

OWQSim FIRM AtitH'E Soi all roofs at tin. as s t i f f OffofeBfl batrr bem allowed; 'he Gramm Bank Housing Programme bas shown bote minima! means CaU make en rmpori-ınl differente in ibe lias of people u ho had prveionsiy held out Itute hope for a heller life

71

72

C I T R A IN I A G A l.'KBAIN D E V E L O P M E N T

SAMA KIN DA, INDONESIA Client: Municipal

Government,

Pattdurala

'DidikSoeu-aitdi.

indah

Architects: AntonioIsmael, Architects. Jakarta 'the hdbrmtü Date-July

Developer: PT

Director). Santa

PTlriacc

Sponsor:

Studies INGO). Jakarta

Saniatinda. and

InstitutefitrDeve&jpmetU

tNn fthpfMİ Pvtkiypiix

sector cooperative),

liudti.

PTGrfyaruara

Samarinda,

Pawr

Gcmptetion

1986

Samarinda is situated on me l*anks o f Lite Mahakam River, and Is tin." provincial capital o f East Kalimantan In Borneo. Borneo Is o n e of the ma|or tlmhcr centres of Indonesia, and Samarinda acts as üie main depot for its region. In fact, the Dutch founded the town in the nineteenth century specifi­

.a tbemt of arcbttLttitrul variety, uxtbln an overall untfivd scbemv, f ,ud,m thnitahom the Samurilidd profed: OPPOSITE PsOSt ABftVK • • U • I . ' . J . . . , ::
cally for that reason, and timber logs were shipped down the river from its p o n . More than half the total timber o f Indone­ sia is exported from the port o f Samarinda. This assures the continued prosperity
73

• J

• •S

Hfl

-

Citra Maga Urhan Development

develop il scheme for a town centre. Didik contacted his friend Antonio lamael. a Berkeley architect w h o was working o n a commun il y projet! in Mexico. Together, they coopted the services o f A d i Sasono from die [nstltute for Devekjpmeril Studies, j n N G O that was already working in Samarinda, They prepared a scheme and took it up through the maze o f the government bureaucracy, level after level, until i l was finally presented to and approved by the Minister o f Interior. The decree was promulgated o n July 27. The arguments used to put the ideas across to the G o v e r n ment officials were the Following: - S a m a r h i d a Is the capital city of East Kalimantan and should show a modernised front for all sectors of the economy. New development activities need to lie undertaken for that purpose; - the people's panicipaiion, at all levels, w o u l d improve their apathetic attitude and should transform them into a more dynamic and active body; - a start should l>e made in the worst slum areas of the city, and new commercial facilities should be established there as part o f the town's transformation process. The Governments approval, when it came, was subject to the conditions that State finances were not to lie used, and that thirty per cent o f the space at Citra Niaga w o u l d be allocated to street hawkers w h o w o u l d constitute sixty per cent o f all the shop owners of the centre. The reason that approval was necessary from the Central Government was because the project required the use of land belonging to the Government lor private development. Also rhe pro|eet was proposing to use new methods of urban management which were unacceptahle to the local Municipality, or rather they could not act on them without prior approval from the higher authorities in Jakarta. The key to this type of management was the mobilisation o f various key resources, not only the Local and Central Government and the private sector, hut, most importantly, to Include the active participation of the local Inhabitants, the low income families w h o illegally occupied the area in question. l"he project design was not J

only to be a self-cost recovery/self-financed and selfsustaining enterprise hut also to be a profitable venture, an altogether din bilious undertaking. The Citm Niaga site is Rat. and surrounded o n all sides by commercial urban development and vehicular roads lhai are crowded with a wide variety o f mobile transports. Buildings in the Immediate neighbourhood are generally two storeys in height. Beyond the site itself where the land prices are higher, the buildings are concrete structures, four and five storeys high. Immediately to the south is the Niaga-Seltan dual carriageway, created at the time of the project. The designer was clear in the objectives o f his scheme. They included: - the creation of a place where the rich and poor could mutually exist; - the accommodation o f all economic levels of the population together and with n o segregation;

A tumvirienr. open shelter, ivhich serves £$ a meeting puint in the midst o/the project! OPPOSITE; Carted wood ornithological figures and sloped roofforms add a traditional a-pett to tbe high toiler used as a landmark lu the development, OVERLEAF, FROM ABOVE: Site plan; elevations

Arcliinjcture fur Islamic Sodetiei

76

Cirra Maga Urban Development

- t h e creation of Innovate, complex financing schemes

coffee and drinks shops, seventeen per cent food, six per

through a mixture of'cross subsidy", 'self finance', self

cent shoes and leather work, three per cent medicine shops

generating funds', 'resource financing', and basing them o n a

and seven per cent others.

risk management basis;

Other facilities included in the design of the project were:

- t h e creation of a profitable business which w o u l d include

a symbolic l o w e r to act a s a focal point for the site; public

the social and ecological costs;

toilets; bale bale, o r an o p e n space for evening gatheiings; a

- t h e creation of a mined use and integrated development

space frame, a covered space for performances: a car park;

scheme consisting of housing, commercial and recreational

and a new traffic road, for construction between Phase II and III.

facilities;

Meanwhile the designer, Antonio Ismael. was also working

- t h e division of the project into phases to make the

on a number of different fronts, integrating and coordinating

financing viable.

the different aspects o f the proiect design. From creating a

The functional requirements o f the brief, for both the

festive atmosphere, and ha?aar-like public squares, attın

designer and the developer, were clarified only after lengthy

alun and hale hate, for the commercial and recreational

discussions that lasted for three years with the users and the

benefit o f the community, to a pedestrian design keeping

Government. The principles that evolved were that all classes

vehicular traffic lo the periphery. Cluster development for the

of users w o u l d have the same rights, land use must be mixed,

commercial street hawkers and the shop-houses had lo be

and the design must reflect local style, and be physically

designed l o reflect the traditional f£otatf> royanf>, o r mulual

attractive. Furthermore the layout between the buildings

aid lifestyle. Land sharing had to be worked out for playing

should be such that Integration for all users w i l l be easy,

spaces, garbage collection, fire safely as well as nursery facilities and planting. Pocket parking areas had IO be

while rigidncss of design should be avoidedThe developer defined the following types o f users for

distributed to avoid 'parking deserts'. Urban a n had to be

marketing the c o m p l e x house-shop owners (high and

provided with a setting so that the ambience was civilised

middle income levels), kiosk-corner shop owners (low

and cultured, and reflected the spirit of the society.

income level) and pavement trader-informal sector (lowest income level).

The project site area covers 2 7 hec:ares The total built-up r

r

area o f all three phases is 16,^00 square metres 11.83 hec­

The programme was conceived i n three phases with the first phase concentrating on a totally commercial develop­

tares) plus 1,800 in the inFormal sector. O p e n space and pedestrian ways lake up 9.500 square metres, while roads

ment whose sale w o u l d finance the second phase, that

take a mere 1,120 square metres. The break d o w n o f the

relating to the informal sector. As the ratio o f land use

built-up space is as follows: shop-house area covers f(i,S70

between the informal sector and others had already been

square metres, kiosks take up 1,443 square metres, and ihe

specified by the Government, the developer had to work out

Informal sector occupies 1,800 square metres.

the economics with great care. After all, thirty per cent o f the

Therefore, in the final scheme, the informal sector gets 8,5

built space in Phase I was going to users for free, while

percent of the total built-up area The complex has double-

seventy percent of the users had to purchase the properties

and single-storeycd buildings. The former consists of a house-

and generate profit as the cross-subsidy. The building

above the shop and is sold as single units. Kiosks are single

programme had to be computerised so that a sufficient cash

sloreyed and have pyramidal roofs.

How and return was available.

The building syslem uses w o o d e n piles for ihe founda-

The phasing o f the number o f retail outlets for the three types o f users was planned as follows: Phase

I

House-shops

58

Kiosks I'avcmenl-trade shops

r

lions. This Is a common, local practice which is appropriate to ihe swampy soil conditions. Building superstructures are

D

111

Total

made o f concrete columns and beams, while the kiosks are

27

5o

141

made of ulin w o o d . Most o f the roofs are made of concrete

-

25

54

-

224

—

79 224

From the chart above It can be seen that the informal sector

tiles; only the street hawkers' stalls are covered with wooden shingles. Exterior wall infills are of fired bricks, while the Interior of the residential spaces uses plywood paniuons.

was given its facilities all in one go i n Phase II, and that the

Floors are made o f lx>th concrete and wood. The sanitary

developer was willing to waft until Phase 111. when the

system uses double chamber septic tanks. Most of the open

commercial ratio is highest, before gelling his final returns. II

spaces, the plaza and the parking areas use concrete block

was a risk he was willing to lake because he was sure that

pavers in which partial rain water can be returned to the soil

property values w o u l d rise after Phases I and II. and his rates

via Datura] seepage. In fact, the entire building technology is

w o u l d lie much higher. It paid off handsomely. He was very

local, as are ihe building materials.

part Leu tar about the kind of retail activity that should be

The project was conceived in iys3. Two years later, in Sept­

allowed outlets, and only permitted six types o f activities in

ember I3S5. the licence for building construction was granted,

the informal sector. Out of a total o f two-hundred and

and by J986 commercial spaces were already up for sale.

twenty-four shops. 40.6 per cent were garment and sewing, nine per cent were i n general merchandise, 17.4 per cent

Total costs for the project are difficult to calculate but the liasic costs are as follows:

77

Citra biaga Urban Development

Phase 1

Bp 1.1 billion US 41,746.000

risk, and Antonio lsmael, the arehiteel and catalyst, who visual-

Phase II

Rp 1.3 billion US 52,063.000

ised the whole development, need to be singled out for praise.

Phase III

Rp 1.5 billion US $2.3HO.0OO

H i e unusual system o f using the commercial price of the big

Total

Rp 3-9 billion USJ6.IH9.0OO

shops to subsidise the const ruction o l the public areas and

Other costs, such as resettling those w h o did not warn to

the pavement hawkers was so effectively worked out that all

stay in the project came to Rp 0.4 billion or US 5634.000. The

users profiled from it. The achievement o f a mix in retail

interest coats were Rp 160 million o r US 4253,000. W h e n one

[unlets has given the project such an enormous dynamism that

includes taxes, tbe total cost was probably around Rp 5.3 billion.

it becomes a complex market. A largcehoice is available for

In Phase 1 the sale o f the shops paid fur thlrty-eight per

the visitor*; who can choose from expensive restaurants to fast

cent o f die kakilima.

or the informal sector facilities. In

I'hase II the percentage came to eighteen per cent, while i n

food counters, and from boutiques to pavement clothes stalls. This complex experience is traditionally and intrinsically a

Phase III die percentage rose to fony-four percent. The total

very Asian one. and should be encouraged. Too many new

extent o f cross subsidy was 13-2 percent. Ir was found that

developments in Asia are l(Hiking towards the American

labour costs came to approximately twenty per eent. with the

model o f a shopping mall whose orientation is merely profit.

material costs making up the remaining eighty per cent-

This exacerbates the already existing division between the

l'tofessional fees were 6.5 percent, while project management

rich and the poor, or the suburban wealthy from their o w n

fees came to 4.5 percent respectively, of the project cost. The

Lily s

developer goi a rate of return of twenty-seven per cent before

fully managed to create an environment that reflects and

tax which is high, despite the g n i s s subsidies o f Rp 700

encompasses the trades o f all aspects and classes o f a city,

million
and i n a profitable manner, which is obviously no mean feat.

slum areas. In Citrj Niaga. the developers have success-

bank which at one time exceeded forty per cent o f the project cost, at a twenty-one percent interest rate. The cost per square metre o f built-up area W J S Rp 2K'J,001) or US S45H. T w o years later the cost per square metre for similar buildings rose to Rp 425.000 or tIS S674. The maintenance for the project is carried out l>y a self-

Mi exampie of tbe colourful variety of shim ineludtit in tbe scben/e) OfiPOSflK The tut of tiled roofs "it tbe interior if large' utrttctttrvs. "bile Uttt flilUllollaliy KfflKfflry otitis to 'heir tillttjie-lilte aaatity

managed board with representatives from all the users. The service charges, parking fees and toilet fees generate an annual income of Rp 124 .5 million (US Sl9H,0U0) whereas r

the maintenance expenditure comes to Rp 114.5 million (US S1K1.000), The service charges for the Iraki iima o f the informal sector come to Rp 1.500 HIS 52.5) per day. This, when broken d o w n , works out as Kp 200 for the government. Rp 72 for rent. Fip 200 for electricity, Rp 200 for water and Rp S!2H for the Management Hoard. This is very favourable to the Iraki Hum. w h o before the project, were paying Rp 2.000 a day in extortion fees, and another Bp 1.000 a day for water. The CUra Nlaga protect is situated i n the centre of Samarinda and it has become the focus j n d pride of the town. It Is a well-conceived, well planned and aesthetically beautiful complex of buildings with a unique character and style. In terms o f planning, it has succeeded in giving Samarinda a city centre. People gather here in the evenings, the young looking for entertainment, the street hawkers selling their wares, the shops, and the houses all generate activity that attracts and distracts. The architectural achievement o f the project is immediately visible to the visitor. What is not so obvious is the way the project galvanised the whole community inro running the project successfully. It is not so easy in the developing w o r i d to obtain the cooperation o f the different and disparate members of a community, and the fact that they did so is the most impressive achievement 'if the Citra Niaga project. The commitment of the people who evolved this project is evident- The developer. Didik Soewandi who undertook the

79

GÜREL SUMMER RESLDENCE ÇANAKKALE, TURKEY Okur

Güzin

Compiclai Juiy

Cüret, İstanbul.

Arcbiieci.

SeıJai

OütvL

¡971

The -summer residence of ihe Gürel family was built by the

While unmistakably

late Sedat Gürel for the enjoyment o f his family and friends.

those of local tvmatltfftr

The family normally resides in Istanbul but decided i n

around

a fireplace,

contemporary.

Hie forms tfıhe

architecture;

contribute

fator plan;

They had spent many enjoyable holidays in that region and

the character

baı/se Built iu

lo the impression thai the

couri of the Gt'avl House is an outdoor

that they w o u l d like a summer place in the Çanakkale region.

OFPÖSI1T1:

room; OVERLEAF:

a simple open irellis ui-er one ^arf of the Court

echo IvtCbeS central Section; changes

of this part of a relatively small space

wanted a house of their o w n . The climate and setting suited them, and the wealth o f historic and archaeological sices in the region was an added incentive for the family. Since friends and relatives Frequently came to stay, the summer house had to accommodate numerous families and yet l>e able to provide privacy and solitude for individuals. Sedat Gürel acquainted himself with the ecology, climate and construction techniques o f the local area, and conceived an architect uial design consisting of several i ilde pendent units. The vernacular architecture o f the Aegean and south­ western coast of Turkey is conceptually Mediterranean, whitewashed stone houses, cube-shaped, most often with a flat rather than a sloped roof, are the norm. Today most houses are constructed of brick, and have a wooden roof structure covered with tiles. Turkish houses have a great deal o f inbuilt elements in them. Rooms are provided with alcoves, cupboards, shelves, niches, latticed w i n d o w s and sofas, all o f which are built into the structure. The incorporation of these everyday utilities and objects into ihe vernacular architecture Is a direct reflection of the aesthetic and functional convenience thai is associated with Middle Fjstern houses. The objective of the Gürel residence was to accommodate the family and friends on a single site, o n an area o f about a thousand square metres, most o f which slopes d o w n to the beach. Seven sleeping and living units were designed, grouped around different counyards. and resembling a small village. The first t w o units were for the immediate family o f the arc hitect; after his death they were occupied by his wife. L'nif 1 consists o f a sleeping area with its private bathroom and outdoor seating area, while unit 2 comprises the indoor sitting and dining rooms, kitchen, balcony and opencounyard. Lnit 5 is equipped to house t w o guests, and has an attached bathroom. Unit A Is much like the above, and was intended for the use o f Sedat Gürel's parents. Since their death it has been used lor guests. Units 5 and 6 were designed f o r G u z i n Gürel s sister and family, and are similar to 1 and 2 except that they can sleep four people. The living unit (6) consists o f

SI

Architecture for Islamic Soderies

Gürel Summer Residence

-V3

83

Arttı itLcturc for ISELUIIÍC SutiLik'H

Giircl Summer Residence

j sluing and dining room plus kitchen, balcony and terrace making i( a totally independent residence. Unit 7

Maintenance costs are very l o w The residence is only used r

during the summer therefore, there are no heating costs.

houses the common services, garages and mainlenance areas.

Fireplaces provide heat when and if it is necessary.

Altogether, die toral floor area of construction occupies 12%.%

There is no cooling system, the w i n d from the sea being the

square metres.

most effective coolant. The units need to be whitewashed

Each of the units W H S designed and envisaged to he selfsufficient, and to be used independently. Privacy was

every t w o years, at a cost of some TL 100,000, or US 145 and the woodwork has to be painted and varnished

ensured, but enough communal areas were incorporated into

every seven years. During the winter months the units are

the overall plan so that it was still possible for the family to

closed up but they can be opened, cleaned and ready for use

meet and gather together whenever they wanted to. Guests

in just a few hours.

can feel free to come and go as they w i l l , and to gather with their hosts i n the many courtyards, or on the beach. The open and rocky terrain around the units was left In its

All the memliers of the family and the guests who use the residence seem to lie very satisfied with its performance. It provides them with a pleasant holiday setting which contrasts

natural state. Dotting the landscape are numerous pine, olive

with their normally uri^in and busy life i n the city. For a few-

and oak trees. Nature has heen incorporated into rhe design

weeks or months every year they arc allowed the luxury of

process. The sea and sky, and the rocky landscape are

en|oying a beautiful haven in nature.

integrated into the architectural format of the residence.

The Gllrel summer complex, with hs modest aspect,

There are numerous natural seating areas among the trees

functions w e l l . The height and size of the individual units,

and rocks, and vistas of the sea and nature abound through-

and their calculated and designed dispersal through the site,

out the site. Nothing is intrusive The individual balconies

help to integrate them into the surrounding countryside. The

and eounyards offer the more controlled outdoors, hut they

separate units are insulated from each other, the w i n d

too have been designed for a purpose, to funnel the sea

blowing from the sea masking all other noises. The irregular

breezes into the units. Footpaths and eounyards arc-

disposition of the units offers a diversity of scenic views from

paved with stones picked from the beach. Stone stairways,

many vantage points. The spatial unit/of the whole complex

built into the rocks, lead from the units down to the beaches.

is designed so that it seems to be in perfect harmony with

A high wall, and a line of specially planted trees, help to

nature around it.

insulate the residence from the traffic noises of the road situated along one side. A simple traditional construction system using brick as the building material was utilised for the residence. Except for the woodworks all major building pans were fabricated on the site. The technology was all local. Foundations were made of local stone, and the infill brick walls were constructed the local way. The roof was built o n a w o o d e n structure, and covered with terracotta tiles. Roughly applied whitewash was used to coat the exterior facades, and all the floors were tiled. Ceilings were made of limber, and wooden shutters were installed to protect the wooden windows. The materials used in this house were of the simplest and cheapest variety, and available locally. The wooden furniture, doors, windows and shutters were made by a competent local carpenter, and display the simplest designs. Until 1971 there was no electricity in the residence. Lighting was provided by candles and kerosene lamps, water is from a well and there is no telephone. The Gtircl family prefers and enjoys this natural life, and Is not at all disturbed by the kick of modern facilities. The architectural plan was completed In 1969, and construction began in September of that year. It was completed In July 1971. and the family moved i n straight away. The total cost of the residence came to TL 100.000, or US S700, the cost per square metre being T i e t f i , or US S57 (1971 ) All funds came from the Gtirel family. The costs r

appear to have been below average for traditional conteni|iot-ary constructions.

OPPOSITE: in attrutroflrm on lot biuJJaborv lb,- Aegean. Ibe tartans pals of the bouse gire it a elUageilke aspect

85

11A Y Y A5SAFARAT J.ANDSCAPING RIYADH, SAUDI AKARJA Client: Riyadh Development Authority, Riyadh QMobammed AlShaikb, President). Landscape Architects Bódeker, Boyer Wagenfeid & Partner, Dusseldorf, Germany (Richard Búdeker and Hurst Wagenfetd, principáis in charge) Completion Date: February 1986 r

In 1977 the Saudi Arabian Government deckled to create a

Map

new diplomatic quarter for its new capital city in Kiyadh.

relationship

to tbe natural

Its intention was to transfer all the diplomatic missions

Indigenous,

ion mmnienanee

from Jcrddah tu Riyadh, once their new homes were

nf the major road< in the Diplomanc

Diplomatic

1

Quarter

Quarter, sbou-tng their

Wadi system nearby; material.,

OPPOSITE:

used tbroui/buut

the

now pnn>ide a model for Others lo follón-

completed. The total area of the Hayy Assafarat (Diplomatic Quarter! comprises some five-hundred and eighty hectares of open desen land situated on the north-west outskirts of Riyadh, some eight kilometres from the town centre The site stretches along the Daraiyah road over a length o f three kilometres. It is hounded by Wad i HaniFah to the west. Topographically, the area can be characterised as a vast expanse o f flat desen plateau with the precipitous escarpment, ravines, and the valley of Wadl Hanifah forming the only interesting physical features. The climate o f Riyadh is that o f an arid desen zone with scanty rainfall, a high rate of evaporation, and summer tem]>erattJres that soar between fony to forty-si* degrees centigrade, a characteristic of that type o f environment. Vegetation is mainly semb with tamarisks, acacias and palms being the only trees that grow naturally and with ease. All other cultivation and planting has to be carefully nurtured and sustained with irrigation. The design for the Diplomatic Quaner was not only 10 Include a residential area, offices and clubs, but also commercial, cultural and religious facilities for all the community. The landscaping of the whole area was Judged to be of equal value and as significant as the architectural content and design. The architectural style of the central region o f Saudi Arabia was taken as the reference for the study of the masterplan. Traditional patterns o f Nagli architecture are evident in the urban design of the Quarter. There is easyaccessibility between all parts with no great separation between the commercial, educational, public and religious facilities, they are all within walking distance of each other. Eiecausc of its novel approach the Diplomatic Quarter has become one of the most significant newly planned developments In the city, if not in the country. Occupying a total o f a hundred and fifty hectares, or about twenty-five per cent o f the total developed area, the landscaping o f the Diplomatic Quaner was arranged in two major categories, intensive and extensive landscaping, lioth types o f landscaping were conceived keeping the harsh desen climate

87

AırhiMCTuıe lor Islamic Societies

w e l l i n mind, a hostile nature that had m l>e tamed and

A play•n: teni uitban

balanced, but not desiroyed.

Interior, ft a light-beatiit

Intensive landscaping covers those areas that require irrigation (sprinkler or dripl and w h i c h Form part of the design in both the private and public sections of the project. The area open to the public occupies sixty hectares o f heavily planted and formally designed gardens, paths, walkways and playgrounds. There are altogether some seventeen public gardens varying i n size from large neighbourhood gardens to liny playgrounds. Extensive landscaping occupies ninety hectares o f land mainly situated on the periphery of the built area, and w h i c h receives minimum water for irrigation. Earth berms and artificially created valleys or wad is and basins collect and channel surface water and run off from the roads inro this arid zone. These extensive landscaped areas are linked to the rest o f the open spaces by a network o f green fingers and small gardens^ they also act as transition zones between the planted and formal gardens and the naturally rugged landscape w h i c h surrounds the pro|ect. The masterplan established the overall orientation for the landscaping, and concluded that the economising of water was to be the main environmental objective of the project. Any idea of a green and 'Westernised' garden with its lavish use of water was considered to be out of place. However, a 'green' environment, consisting of rrees fruits and oilier L

species, hardy shrubs, plants and flowers that w o u l d thrive in this arid climate, was thought to be essential for the overall image o f the project. Street systems, roads and pedestrian networks were carefully designed to create a protected environment, shaded from noise, glare, dust and sand. Urban fringe areas were to he made to act as protect ive barriers against strong winds and sand stonns. All the landscaping designs were made 10 conform to the ecological and aesthetic requirements of the landscape. Microclimatic conditions were created by careful groupings of buildings and gardens. Trees were planted along all the streets, and pedestrians were provided with a network o l walkway« that w o u l d connect the different areas. Car traffic w;is to be strictly limited, and kept out of environmentally sensitive areas. The basic concept o f the maslerplan was influenced by the lie o f ihe land. The central spine w h i c h follows ihe contours of the land became the physical selling for die many eml>assies. The circulation routes and ihe major urban land uses were restricted to the flat terrain and surrounds of the allocated area. The escarpments and edges o f the ravines and wadis. which provide such dramatic vistas o f the surrounding countryside, were included i n , and also helped to shape, the design of the layout. Land that was unsuitable for urbanisation, land that was subject to erosion, poor slope and drainage, or bad soil conditions was set aside for extensive landscaping. Shonage o l water resources was taken into consideration, and green spaces were clumped together for maximum versatility, maintenance and economic feasibility. Planted l>erms

Ion- maintenance

artistic patient

mealed

gesture; OPPOSITE.

by sunlight in ılı A eieu-of

material* which are used throughout

Diplomatic

Quarter.

man-made

elemeni.' indigenous

design; a view from

OVt±KD=AP:

The blending

indigenous. the

of ihe natural

to the region is characteristic

and oftbu

the rim of the escarfiment at the western edge of

the Quarter out to the VPadi iianifah rated into the natural stratification

beyond; seaiinn of rack ledges

is incorpo­

ArchiïKture for Tslamiic Societies

Hcyy Assafarar Landscaping

Archiiecuire U-i Lshunfc Societies

Hayy Assafaiat Landscaping

alongside ihe roads and highways were the means envi-

Wadi's edge. Mothers and their children use the playgrounds

sioned ro screen and protect urban areas from noise, air and

extensively. In fact, a remarkable encounter seems to be

dust pollution.

taking place between the people and the landscape of this

The dale palm Tret w u Taken as die main reference point for the Diplomatic Qua tier as ihe ecological model symbolis-

new community. In recovering hundreds of plants, animals and birds o n the

ing all the attributes of the Najd. Even building heights were

endangered species list, and allowing them to grow and have

not to exceed the height o f a palm tree. Nature and its

the freedom of this landscaped environment, the pioneering

ecological balance were to be kepi intact by excluding

designets and consultants of this project have made a lasting

animal grazing which had succeeded in destroying all living

and significant contribution to the stabilisation o f the region's

plants i n an area of a hundred kilometres around Riyadh.

ecology. Not only have they reversed the process of

State subsidies had allowed Bedouins to expand their herds

desertification in that area of the Najd. hut, even more

and l o Indiscriminately dig wells and tanks; this shon-sighied

imponanily for the future, they have made a positive impact

policy had effectively resulted i n devastating the land.

on, and shifted the awareness and consciousness o f the

Advised by the consultants, the client for this project agreed to use the project as a catalyst for restructuring The

urbanised population o f Riyadh. The earth lierms and rocky Landscaping give an ageless

ecological balance o f the area. Systematic seed collection o f

and lasting feeling to the parks, and aa the vegetation

authentic plants from the deteriorated region was under-

continues lo grow it will help stabilise and authenticate this

taken, and their replanting in the project nursery helped te

natural look. Materials used for the pavements were all

recover more than three hundred and fifty species. Over t w o

developed and made locally by growing local industries. The

hundred and fifty animal and bird species were alsu saved

only intrusive new material used by the project designers is

and regenerated. The response from the people o f Riyadh

the metal tubing and mesh lor the roofing of the arcades i n the

has been overwhelming. Thousands have actively become

park.

attached to the project, seeing it as a restoration o f a code exemplifying their past way of life. The formal aspects of the landscape designs, which

Maintenance has to he continuous, and is particularly essential for the intensive landscaping areas. It appears to lie under good control. Irrigation and drainage systems appear

included parallel lines of palm trees framing roads, well

to be functioning well, and water wasiage kepi to a mini-

articulated earth herms. and rock formations that echoed and

mum. A micro-climatic condition has been successfully created.

approximated the natural environment of the region also

The process and success o f this project was due to the

evoked an enthusiastic response from the users. Indeed lioth

close working relationship of the client, the Riyadh Develop-

the local inhabitants and the transient foreigners o f Riyadh

ment Authority headed by Dr Mohammed Al-Shaikh, and the

use it with enjoyment. Other design features are also proving

two principal landscape designers. Bfjdeker and Wagenfeld.

their sticcess. Portals, seats, fountains, atcades and light

The experience helped in building up the organisation o f the

fixtutes were carefully thought out and made lo specifically

DevelopEiient Authority and in developing its capacity to deal

fit their location. The bench developed for the Quarter is now

with complex issues. In fact, the experience has allowed the

marketed world-wide as the 'Riyadh Rench'. Pavenicni

client to develop an overall programme for national and

patterns were designed around local 1 hemes and sensitively

regional parks, n o w In its early stage of Implementation.

worked out. Interestingly enough, the way that these gardens and parks

Another and lasting symbol o f this partnership was the creation, and the dissemination o f knowledge for its mainte-

are presently being used has provided a mirror image o f the

nance, o f a remarkable nursery, a repository for the local

societies that make up Riyadh. Each nationality or group uses

flora. Finally, ihe importance of educating ihe local people

those pans o f the parks or gardens that suit and reflect their

and the authorities, of opening 1 heir eyes lo ihe fragility of

way of life. Thus, the Egyptians, Syrians and Palestinians tend

iheir environment, cannot be understated. It wilt proliably lie

to congiegate In Khozama Park, designed like an o p e n oasis

the most important legacy o f the Diplomatic Quarter.

with generous lawns and terraces, and where their families can interact i n a fairly unrestricted manner. However, the more traditional Saudi families go lo Aljajer Gardens where the ins and outs o f the rocky limestone and desert-like configurations permit them to enjoy themselves, and still be able to guard the privacy of their lightly-knit families. A rich variety of patterns and behaviours can lie observed in ihese gardens, a variety that matches and reflects the diversity, the different social and cultural origins of depopulation o f Riyadh. Family picnics, people logging,

OPPaSfTF.:

The compatibility

bicycling and hiking can be seen alongside teams sports o r

bits helped In entourage

contemplative people seeking seclusion and the view o f the

taken to >nabe

between new and existing

land

forms

use iff outdoor uieas. great cure bas been

masonry features

appear us natural as possible

93

A L - K I M ) ! P1.AZA RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA CHent Riyadh Development Authority

Riyadh.

Beeah Group Consultants.

Riyadh (All Sbuaibi

Abdid-Rahman

Architects).

Not&nher

Hussaini,

Architect: and

Completion

Date:

19&6

The Al-Kindi Plaza Is located in [he heart of the central area

The layout of the Diplomatic

of the Hayy Assafarat. It comprises i h c basic cultural, reli-

OPPOSITE

gious, administrative and commercial facilities of ihe community, l l also includes a Friday Mosque, a government

In keeping

approximating

the appearance

u.ell as decorative LEAP

replicates the mud

arcades around it, and a variety of gardens and restaurants.

contemporary

The total area of the .site covers about twenty thousand

triangular

This slraighlfoieard

Service complex, a maidan or public square with shopping

facing

Quarter, of mud

inlo specific

hricif hare few

interpretation inxt minarets

zones;

Sajdt style, massliv

bawls markingfloor

brick cous/ructlon

materials;

onto Ai-Klndi

OTR-miseil

uHlb th,' traditional

of Najdi

levels;

as

OVER-

architecture

of the past in more idmtify

trails

openings,

the Friday

durable, Mosque,

Plaza

square metres, while the total Floor area is about fifty-four thousand square metres. The block, as a whole, is organised around the maidan, but each individual building is organised around a central courtyard. T w o complex gateways link the block with the surrounding boulevards, filtering the traffic through the right channels - pedestrians through the ground lloor while motor vehicles enter through the lower level where parking is available. The urban architecture of the Najd was taken as the point of reference, and the Master Plan clearly shows that influence. Characteristic Najdi thick walls, small exterior openings, and the principles of seclusion and privacy are all evident in the design of the A l - K i n d i Plaza. Response to climate and topography was also made to reflect the manner of local architecture. The sequences of the different spaces, souks, public squares and landscaped areas were Juxtaposed in such a way as to create a semblance of older settlement patterns but without directly copying them. There is no doubt about the modern and urban design of the block. The Friday Mosque, built according to a traditional Najdi design, dominates the maidan. forming one of its sides. T w o tall minarets mark the gateways to the mosque. Shops, restaurants and other public facilities in arcaded buildings form one of the other sides of the maidan, while the government service complex completes the remaining defining edges. These offices are organised around carefully planted central atriums and a number of o p e n courtyards. The atrium is used as a cooling space and also as an aide In communications between the different parts of the building, ensuring a rich and varied Inner life behind the massive walls with their narrow openings. The landscaping features of the A l - K i n d i Flaza consist of shaded arcades, small fountains and other water elements, and planters. The maidan is paved with marble with a few plants placed along the sides. Absence of shade means that this public square is only used in the evenings. Traditionally.

95

AıchiTüclun; fur Islamic Societies

A I-Kind i Kaza

Arch iletilire for Islamic Sixieiie*

Al-Kindi Plaza

open spaces in hot, tropical climatic zones are only used after

FROM ASOVt

sunset, so even this design feature firs into the rhythm o f the

uniformity

society. The Development Authority uses the office space available to it in an enlightened and responsive way. The

Arcades bate tnriuru

of caiman

link ait of the buildings seen through gardens

ibe arcade

out the complex;

and it is used intensively by people coming from Riyadh.

reminiscent

surrounding

shaded,

OPPUSnTi:

the plaza.

lacy shade chug

feature

102:

extended

arcades ..:•/,

QVbXiEAF

Site plan; ground floor plan; PAGE

of Kafes* pnn'ide

open

The

Plantiit

of sand C'd-wred mills used

ways; PAHIi IDJ}: The integration significant

Unit-' heights lo brink the

thept&za:

in the complex;

relieve the uniformity

general public has also heen very receptive to this complex, They come to rhe maidan to pray in the mosque, to shop in

buys around

through-

I'anels passagi -

of landscape and architecture

1

is a

of this project

the arcades, cat in the many restaurants or simply to cruise around. This is especially true o n Fridays at prayer times, or in the evenings when open markets, souks and fairs draw huge crowds. The high quality of the design complex is not only romantic but also workable. Most o f the technology used for this project is a modern and imported one, a technology that is becoming increasingly more familiar in Saudi Arabia. Reinforced concrete was used in the framed system with hollow concrete blocks for the infill, the structure being o f the monolithic slab and beam type. Some precast slabs were used in cenain parts o f the building. Insulated tiled roofs and suspended ceiling tiles complete the modern look. However, the external facades o f the whole o f the A l - K i n d i Plaza were treated by spraying stucco o n metal lath, creating a close proximation o f the texture of the traditional mud plaster finish o n adobe, formerly the most common building material used in the Najd. Imported marble tiles were used to floor the public spaces, and local cement was also used. Although all the interior enclosed spaces are air conditioned, many executives seem to prefer the natural and cool ventilation from the narrow openings on the outside wall. An interesting concept for sen ices and site utilities was 1

provided through a central, linear tunnel which runs underneath the entire length of the site. It is accessible from the parking level and serves all the different elements o f the centre. Independent entrances and exits were designed in a way so that they do not interfere with either the traffic ot pedestrians. The contractors and the labour force used were mostly Korean in origin. The total initial budget was SR I4J.0 million and the total actual budget was SH 123.6 million, while the actual cost per square metre was SR 2,278- The architect claims that the cost per square metre was below that of the average building in Saudi Arabia, however, the land and infrastructure were provided by the Riyadh Development Authority. Construction began in April

and was completed In November J9S<J.

The overall function o f the Plaza seems to be very successful, and all the different pans work together harmoniously. Shopping arcades, the atrium and the controlled climates all seem to lie functioning w e l l . However, the most successful innovation in the use o f materials Is that of the sprayed stucco on the exterior facades. It creates a texture, shaded and unshaded, cutting out the glare and cooling the facades at the same time. No signs of ageing have manifested themselves yet; in any case the sophisticated and well disciplined maintenance techniques should be able to keep the buildings In good order.

99

AHílndl Plaza

101

Al-Kindi Plaza

T

iflllk

\

L04

7

SUM FI-AI.OUI PRIMARY SCHOOL TUNIS, TUNISIA

Clients: Ministère de l'Education Nationale, d'Enseignement Supérieur et de Recherche Scientifique and Ministère de l 'Equipement et de l Habitai (MEH), Tunis. Architect- Association de la Sauvegarde de ta Médina (SamirHamaici), Tunis. Completion Dale; March ¡986

Habib Bourguiba, the former President of Tunisia, used to

Tht it'Ileal

work in an office located i n die Dab Souika Halfaouine area.

supported by brackets, bos become the external sign for the school,

Many years after he became President he asked the Minister of Equipment and Housing lo do something lo improve that

arched dooneay. surmounted

us its iiain

entry; QPPt}*HTK: While appearing

use of elements such as a entrance,

luuhnbJyyfl outran

caused consternation

section of Tunis. The Minister was keen o n the idea, espe-

abo initially

cially since he wanted (o help with rehabilitating and

architecture

modernising the old medina.

by a high

qwle restrained, arched

among local building

tried to change tbem. OVUtlPAPof the interior is a dramatic

window the

main authorities,

The lean, open

contrast to the solidity of

the outside

tiah Souika dates to the eleventh century when commercial transactions wiih die nomads had increased to the extent that they overflowed through the walls of the old medina o f Tunis. New areas were established in the open spaces outside the walls. By the thirteenth century two

ribaishad

been

formed, the northern one called Hibat Souk Souika and the southern one, Hibat Bab Djazira. These were complete communities with shops, work places and houses. The walls of these two

rihais

were linked In the sixteenth century to

fonn the present day enclosure Of the old medina of Tunis. The Minister was enthusiastic about rehabilitating pans o f the old medina by modernising them, and by setting up shopping malls, super markets and office buildings i n them. The Association de kl Sauvegarde de la Médina, established to protect and improve the old city, had different opinions about interventions that would change the values and the old fabric of the city. A compromise had to be found if the two parries were to be able to work harmoniously together lo benefit the city. The Minister appointed a Commission de Suivi which was to oversee the rehabilitation o f ihe Bab Souika Halfaouine district. Over twenty projects were undertaken under the auspices o f rhis Commission; Sidi el-Aloui was just one of them. The Commission designated the Association de la Sauvegarde de la Medina to design the school, providing that all decisions about the building, from the floor plans to the detailed specifications were first approved by ihe Commission. The architect chosen for the project, Samir Hamaici, was already employed by the Association. He faced difficulties not only with the Commission hut also with the Société Nationale Immobilière de Tunisie (SNIT) w h i c h was the agency responsible for building all the schools in the country. SN1T followed a standard layout for all its schools, a linear building with a row o f classrooms opening out o n to a corridor. To convince SN1T and ihe Commission o f the suitability of a new school design was an enormous challenge for the architect.

105

Sidi el-Atari Primary School

The school Is located In a dense urban area, close l o l h e

galleries that surround the counyard. The main entrance is

mosque o f Saheb Ettabaa. Jl replaced an old school for the

aligned with the principal axis o f the public park, and is

area w h i c h had been inadequately housed in the dilapidated

marked by a traditional awshrabiyyab,

Khaznadar Palace. The site is surrounded by low rise

window, above the door.

courtyard houses and narrow streets o n three sides, and a

an ornate wooden

Landscaping is practically non-exisient in the school. The

pack i n front w h i c h abuts a main street, Rue b a h Tiou. It is an

counyard is bare o f trees, and only a few potted plants and

elongated, flat plot o f land left vacant after some residential

flowers are distributed along the edges of the galleries. There

buildings were pulled down to make room for a road that

are n o benches, o r sand pits for the children to play i n .

was to connect Bab Saadoun with Bab al Khadraa. Local

According to the Headmaster, the noise o f playing i n the

objections saw to it that the road was never built. Instead, a

eounyards w o u l d make it vinually impossible to teach in the

third o f the site was given to the (future) Sidi el-Aloui School,

classrooms. The bare surface of the cnunyard apparently also

while the remaining two-thirds was landscaped, and turned

helps to keep the school clean-looking. Apart from three

into a public park k n o w n as Balha' Sidi el-Aloui.

paintings decorating the walls facing the counyard there is n o

The Ministry of Education, the members of the community,

art, and n o one is allowed to draw o r place any objects in the

and the professionals represented in the Commission de Sulvi

galleries. The Headmaster keeps a tight control o n the

had one main objective, and that was to build a school that

school; it is very organised and appears to IK: efficiently run.

could educate the maximum number of students. Quantity

The school serves the district of HaTaouine which has

was given precedence over quality. The floor area for the

about ten thousand inhabitants. The official monthly income

school was so specifically given by the Commission that it

of a family averages between T D 7u-l2u
curtailed the inclusion of many features considered (by

actuality It Is probably higher because there is usually more

Western standards) essential for a school. A library, gymna-

than one bread earner per family. Halraouine Is considered to

sium, diverse workshops, theatre and cafeteria arc all missing

be an upper low-income group. O n e thousand pupils use the

From this school which has been designed solely for educa-

school. They are divided into thirty-one classes, each class

tional purposes and without any trimmings.

having between thirty-six to forty-two pupils. They range i n

The architect, Samir Hamaici. w h o was born and raised in a traditional quaner o f Tunis, is familiar with most details o f

age from six to twelve, and the ratio l»stween boys and girls appears to be about even. There are two teaching shifts, so

traditional Tunisian architecture. As he was employed by the

that the school is used from 7;30am to 5;3upm. The first

Association de la Sauvegarde de la Medina, w h i c h advocates

group comes in from 7:30 to lCiOUam. the second from lu (K)

the use o f traditional forms, he proposed a courtyard building

to 12:3dpnv the first group returns from 12:30 to 3pm. and

for the school. The design and dmwings were completed in

the second group comes In again from 3 to 5:30pm.

three months because the Commission wanted to complete the project quickly.

:

Given the financial restraints and the limited budget for this project. Hamaici managed to blend remarkably well the

The design of the school respects the scale of the neigh-

users' needs with the aesthetic qualities of the building. The

bouring houses. Even though it is more monumental it is not

architect, client and the community are all proud of the building.

alien to its sutrounds. In fact, the school's front facade

A reinforced concrete frame structure with hollow rile

tesembles that of a house located opposite it. Hamaici also

flooring and hollow brick inFill was used for the school. A l l

derived architectural details from the traditional environment

the facades were rendered with cement; other surfaces were

of the area: the masses and height of the building, its

finished with cement plastering and then painted with white

eounyards, openings, decorations and colours, alt reflect this

plastic paint. Doors, w i n d o w s , and mashrabiyyas were made

assimilation. The architect has made the maximum use o f the

of wood by skilled local craftsmen. Window grilles for the

small site by building t w o rows o f classrooms separated by a

ground floor, and the hand rails for the galleries were cast o f

sizeable counyard. The school contains sixteen classrooms,

wrought iron. Low priced red marble tiles were used on the

each 49.8 Square metres (there are eight of them per floor), a

edges of the galleries, and to mark ou: and define the

large meeting room, 45.<j square metres, four offices each 4.2

counyard.

x 4 metres in size, a small clinic, an art workshop for the pupils and a staff room. A three-bedroom flat, measuring a

All the materials were produced i n Tunisia including the steel, electric wires, lamps and wash hasins. Almost all the

hundred and thirty square metres, and situated on the second

work force, skilled and unskilled, the consultants, and the

floor is for the use o f the headmaster and his family: this is a

contractors were Tunisians, the sole exception being a

customary practice in all Tunisian schools.

French architect w h o worked for the Association.

From the outside the building appears as two masses

The climate o f Tunis is of the Mediterranean type, hot and

separated by staircases, inside it appears as one counyard

dry in the summer and rainy and cold in the winter. Average

divided by a bridge. Classrooms are distributed symmetrically

temperatures in January, the coldest month, are l>eiwecn six

around the paved counyard. The school occupies the ground

to eight degrees centigrade in winter, and thiny-one to fony

and first floors, the headmaster's Hat taking u p the second

degrees centigrade (when the southerly winds blow) in

floor over the front gateway. Rectangular piers s u p p o n the

summer. It rarely snows. There are no heating o r cooling

107

Archikxiurv fur Islamic Societies

D

I

J

3

Si di cl-Aloui Primary Scbool

devices present in the building. However, the ceilings in ılıe

Colour,

classrooms are high enough to create enough space for hot

tirouisd-jluor

where used, K muled and plan;

lofijfituıiiııııl

mhtk-; OPPOSITE. section;

northwest

FRQMABQV& eletmliou

air i n be ventilated through the upper part of the windows, which keeps ıhe rooms coo] enough- Presumably body heat suffices to keep the temperature at a comfortable level during the winter months. Each classroom has five windows, three onto the courryard and two onto the-street. Sixteen fluorescent Limps in the classrooms help to improve the light for the students in the afternoons or during dark and wintery days. The cost of a typical school built by the Ministry of Education is T D 220-230 (US S237-24Û) per square metre, whereas the cost of constructing an average quality housing unit is T D 550 (US 5377). The cost of the Sidi el-Aloui School came out to be T D 241 (US 526ÜÎ per square metre. The total cost of the school was T D 465.000 (US S5Q1,078>, with most of the funds coming horn the Ministere de I'Equipemeni et de I'Hahitat. Although it cost more than the average Tunisian school, the quality of the workmanship involved is much higher. In Fact the architect himselFsupervised the construction work, making sure that all his details and designs were executed properly. The design for the projecr was started in March 1985 and ended in May 19H5- Construction began Immediately under the direction of the Ran Ayad and Jehali Construction Company. Once the foundation stone was laid i n March the school building m o t one year to complete. It was inaugurated with a ceremony in October of that same year. The building integrates well with its surroundings, and it has not yet shown any signs of ageing. The spaces are well articulated, and the circulation patterns are simple and effective. The courtyard idea is pleasant to look at, and the columns add an elegani air to that space. The sole prohlem with the building seems m lie its acoustics. The classrooms, situated opposite each other across the courtyards, generate a lot of noise. This is augmented by the noise of the street outside. Closing the windows in the classrooms is one solution, but this cannot lie done in summer. If it is. cross ventilation w i l l be blocked and temperatures will soar Inside. Acoustic tiles, carpets or at least curtains may help to reduce the noise level. The innovation of this school building is that it is the first to he built using an original design. It does not follow ıhe normal plan of schools In Tunisia. In respecting the con­ straints and limitations of the site and the budget, the architect took enough of a challenge upon himself. Add to that the preservation of the architectural integrity of that area of the old medlna, and the challenge increases for the architect. Vet Hamald managed to produce a landmark building that is traditional and modern at the same time, thus refuting the argument forwarded by those w h o are against using the past a s a reference because it stands against progress. He has created a modern school that fulfils all the requirements of an educational establishment yet. at the same time, reflects the aesthetics of the architectural heritage of the o l d city of Tunis.

L09

CORNIOIE MOSQUE JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA Clients: Municipality

of Jeddah

(MohammedSaid

former Mayor) a nd Min isfry of Pilgrimage

arid

ments, Jeddah. Architect. Abdel Wahed ElW&kil, Completion Date;

Faisi. EndowLondon

¡986-88

During the last ten years, the Egyptian architect Abdel \fahed

FROM ABOVE

Rl-Wakil lias designed more than a dozen mosques in Saudi

Ceremon y in Cairo,

Arabia. The fits! of these mosques, die Sulayman Mosque, completed in 19H0, caught ihe eye of Mohammed Said Farsi, The Mayor of Jeddah, w h o then commissioned him to design it mosque along the comiche o f bis city. The Ministry o f Pilgrimage and Endowments followed suit, and commis-

Situation;

a Mamluk predecessor. print-types consistently Wakds

at Ihe seminar

the architect

beldfollowing

compared

which iins its model

Such

make up a ttairtable design

reort; OPFO^l'E:

between a seafront arcade

Mosifiie la

hutortiai resiMirce in t'l-

Architect hl-Wukil utilises

surprises, such as this view of a minaret,

Ihe Award

she Comiche

delightful

teen through a gap

and the mam prayer space lo

punctuate

procession

sioned another one along lhal same corniche. A series o f mosques were commissioned by these, and other, sponsors from the private sector. The mosques differ widely in siae, composition, and budgets but they have a number of characteristics in common. They are all revivalist i n style, their architecture deriving from a blend o f Islamic vocabularies but relying most heavily o n those o f the Mamluks o f Egypt, and of the neighbouring Rasulid Dynasty i n Yemen. They were all designed within the short span of six years, and belong to one period - an historically speaking. All are located in two cities, five in Jeddah and two in Medina. Both cities are situated in western Saudi Arabia, in the province of Hijaz. Jeddah s topogntphy is flat, its climate coastal and tropicalHigh levels o f humidity, and even higher temperatures make it an uncomfortable city to live in. Rainfall is minimal, and the soil is unsuitable for agriculture. Landscaping the urban fabric and turning the desert into gardens has only been possible through the importation of soil, and by desalinating sea water from the Red Sea. Historically, the city's importance was established by the Caliph Othman w h o chose it as the port for Makkah in AD646. It evolved into a cosmopolitan commercial centre, catering to goods and pilgrims from all over the world. Its traditional architecture reflects the style of the Red Sea. with some overlying Egyptian and Ottoman influence. Intense building activity since the 1960s has destroyed most of Jeddah's old city centre. Medina is a very important city for Islam, for It was here that the prophet Mohammed established the first Islamic state. His house, mosque and tomb are located in this city. It lost political significance after the Caliph Ali moved the capita] to Kufa i n Iraq i n AD6S6. but remained a major religious centre. During the yearly pilgrimage, or Ha||. it is visited by an estimated two million Muslims from all over the world. Most o f the old city has been destroyed by expansive rebuildings. while its old mosques have been enlarged

111

Architecture fur Islamic Societies

Corniche Mosque

lieyond recognition, Medina is located in an oasis, it has

FROM AflO\T.; Counterpoint,

fertile soil, and ii is Famous for ihe fruits of its orchards, lis

nrtaujile

to]iography is fairly Hal hut there ate hills in tile vicinity. It is

bus bten cotuiitrnlly

cool i n winter, and hoi in summer. Rainfall is slight, and limited to the winter months.

Contltbr O/'I'USrit: tiayhrtcb.

The Saudi mosques o f E l - W j k i l can he grouped according lo their size into three types. The small mosques include the

against Lin

bright sunlight

. pnueqde

the series, tbe arcade

pntt'tdet framedeleus ' i.'

The

ftofltHtat

agidnst :

used thn.ughout

Mfsque. totered

oftvrtieal

If. It an iu JI

of tbe mostpie* in ibis series are built In

mth piaster,

uhtth

mattes them glisten ai the

near the Red Sea; OVizRibAf':

A slice if shy seen

through an Opening iletliee't ttttade andfrrayerbail floruit be Masque; PACfk IlilRhT.

FKaiMflt)!*

ia the Settunt

plan.

small mosques w h i c h d o nol exceed four hundred square

Corniche

metres in area. They were conceived as sculptural statements

keep the interior cool: tine step signals tbe change front tbe

lo decorate Jeddah's landscape, and were placed in areas

tit tbe

RI'JllTl-RUM

gf the

nf the Rett Siv.

Island, Corniche and liinlsdcn mosques in Jeddah. They are 1

and irbnb

ABUYt.

M'tsque. sbmclug

Vie,,- touiinltbe 'he massltvneis

fl.*u

mibrah in the 'fine

trails, nbtch

helps

profane

satntt

where there had been no previous mosques, providing the many visitors and picnickers l o the ]>opular Corniche Heath wilh a place for their prayers. The Corniche Mosque is like a pavilion open to the natural elements. ]rs striking views o f the sea and its openness to the h

sea hreevx-s, made it such a popular place wilh picnickers during week-days and holidays thai die site was overwhelmed. The Ministry felt forced lo seal i l off wilh a sleel fence for its protection. It is now only o p e n at prayer limes, being most used during Friday's prayers. Functionally, the mosque works well, bul its open design has rendered ii susceptible to ihe harsh weather of Jeddah - the humidity, the sea. salt and wind have taken their toll on the building. The mosque receives little care, the plaster needs repainting, the wooden rails and doors suffer from chipping, and the chain of the chandelier was rusting so hadly that it was removed by the Ministry and replaced by neon track lights. In spite oFconslanl sweeping the floors are always covered with sand. Later additions such as the sleel gale, a concrete annex for the keeper, public toilets, and a water tank have not helped its general appearance. In spile o f these maintenance problems the natural setting of ihe mosque, with its simple and crisp forms set against the striking backdrop o f the Red Sea. makes il a powerful image in a city o f concrete high rises. The Corniche Mnsque, derives its name from its situation along the corniche o f the Red Sea. Ii is built o n land reclaimed from the sea. 'I he site measures some twelve hundred square metres, and the mosque covers a hundred and ninety-live square metres o f thai area. It was commissioned by the Municipality of Jeddah. Although small in size, this mosque has a complex and formal arrangement. It Is entered from the qihla side through a large and vaulted chamlier. A change o f direction allows entry inlo the building proper - through an open nanhex w h i c h separates the prayer chaml>er from a two-l>ayed portico overlooking the sea. An external stairway on the southern side leads up to a minaret with squat proportions and a tall square liase which supports a short octagonal shaft. Care has also been taken with the design for the keeper's lodge and the water u n k and tuilets. The total cost o f the Corniche Mosque came to SK l.^flu.uOO or 7,690 per square metre (US 12,000 per square metre). Although it was commissioned by the Municipality of Jeddah it was paid for with funds from private contributors. Begun in 1983 it was completed by lOWti.

I L.I

Architecture For islamic Societies

iijrnlthe Mosque

MINISTRY O F FQKFIGN

AFFAIRS

KIY A D M , S A U D I A R A B I A Ciienl: Ministry Henning

of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh.

Larsen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Architect: Completion

Date.

August 1984

During the last two decades [he Saudi Arabian Government

FROM ABO Vti: Semicircular

bas slowly been shifting its seal o f government from.leddah

contain

to Riyadh. A l l the ministries and foreign embassies were moved, the Ministry nf Foreign Affairs included. The tender/piogrjmme tor the design of tbis Ministry was of Foreign Affairs:

the

Organisation

Development

assisls pedestrian

entrance

With the Solid exterior; rbeprocessionalsequence

formulated on the basis of a publication entitled The Ministry Plan

which

forms, flanking the mailt

the library and a diplomatic

heart of the building; crisp tines and plain

school; a Hoped

entry, ramp-stair

into the Ministry, and hlends in well

OPPOSITE:

Octagonal ligbt-welis

punctuate

into the secluded central court at the OVtiHLi'AF:

Sharp shadows reinforced

surfaces of the building's

A long, low profile was intentionally

exterior;

chosen by the

the

PAGH

120.

architect,

because of reduced beat gain

was approved hy the Cabinet in 19?7. A n architectural competition was organised i n June 1979 with the help o f the Union Internationale des Archilcctes. The Masterjury included Hassan Fa thy as well as the Minister and his deputy. Eleven designers were invited to participate and present their designs. They were: Flano and Nice (Italy); V Dalokay (Turkey)-T Dannat and Partners ( U K ) , P t l Khoury (Lebanon); It Fairburn (USA); F Otto (Germany); A Jsozaki (Japan); RTallÜbefl (France); Taller de Arqiteetura Bofill (Spain); Suter and Suter (Switzerland) and H Larsen (Denmark). The building was to include the following; - 85,000 square metres of office and circulation space to be divided into three sections; political, cultural and administrative affairs; - main offices for the Minister and his deputy; - a hanquel hall, mosque, library, conference centre, exhibition space and training facilities for the diplomatic corps and a consular section; - extensive parking spaces sufficient for eleven hundred employees and many visitors. The competition went through two phases, and four candidates were short listed. Henning Larsen's winning project used the historical and architectural context, continuing with past traditions, but he placed the building fitmly In an international and modern idiom. Riyadh is situated in the eastern desert zone of Saudi Arabia, and is the traditional centre of Saudi dynastic power. It was a small town before the o i l boom with twu-storeyed mud buildings, structured around central courtyards, the adobe wahs giving the city its distinctive ochre colour. The street facades were w-indowless and rarely decorated. The climate is hoi and dry. Temperatures may reach fortyseven degrees centigrade in summer, and rarely fall below twenty degrees centigrade i n winter, although occasionally they g o as low as zero. Rainfall varies but the annual rate averages about 11.5 centimetres. It is usually dry and humidity

I T

Afdhltecturc ftw Islamic Societies

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

rarely reaches fifty percent. Prevailing winds i n winter are

three courtyards^ these provide the flexible office space.

from the south, while in summer they are from the north.

Offices For the Minister and his deputies are located o n the

Sand and dust .storms are a major problem in the city.

top floor of the main facade. Each block houses one of the

The site occupies a whole block in the al-Namodha]iyah

three main departments. The courtyards are square in shape

quarter. Once considered the outskirts of the southern part of

and divide into three types: the cross garden, the fountain

the city, it lies eight kilometres from the Diplomatic Quarter,

garden and the water basin garden. E i c h type is in a different

and two kilometres from old Riyadh. Riyadh Is one of the

colour, and each has distinctive patterns of tile pavings that

fastest growing cities in the Middle Hast. It is modelled o n the

help accentuate its identity.

pattern of a low density American city with ears as the

There are three main gates from the front road- The gate

prevalent form of travel. It therefore has a modern and dense

on the main avis is used for state occasions, and t w o gates

network of roads.

about sixty metres equidistant from the axis are for daily use.

l l e n n i n g Larsen wanted to incorporate the liasic principles

A gate on the notrh side acts as service entrance for trucks

of Islamic traditional design with contemporary architectural

and other deliveries, while one o n the east side is used for

language. He especially wanted to use the idea of a court-

consular services.

yard, considering it an indispensable element of islamic

The Ministry has a double external wall with a small air

building design. Anonymous and blank facades, as well as a

cavity between. The exterior brownstone veneer is Crema

clear hierarchy between the private and public spaces were

Mora from Italy while the interior wal is made from concrete

alsu considered to be of prime importance. The whole

slabs. The construction stands o n reinforced pad and strip

physical mass of the building's structure had, of course, to

foundations. Columns and beams are of prefabricated steel,

appear to be homogeneous.

while the floors are made of a composite steel decking and a

The interior of the building is organised into three spatial

8.5 centimetre layer of concrete. The construction grid is 7.2

areas: the entrance/lobby sequence, the square/street

K ArS metres. The roof is insulated w i n marble/concrete tiles,

sequence and the courtyard/offices sequence. The building

and the interior walls are covered with gypsum l>oard and

has a l o w and compact shape, rising l>y three to four storeys,

painted white. Off-white acoustic pla:ter covers the interior

lis square plan is missing one corner w h i c h Is meant to

street ceilings. The" floors of the public spaces are paved with

symbolise the embassies abroad. The building is constructed

green and white marble tiles, while die offices are covered

on a raised platform, somewhat after the style of Indian

with neutral coloured carpeting. Pallo walls are painted in

Muslim Architecture. This houses the garage. Its massive

sophisticated blues, mauves and ochres.

aspect and blank facades reflect the traditional aspects of old

Mechanical systems are very sophisticated. Security and

Riyadh houses. Its sober exterior offers a sharp contrast to the

fire monitors are controlled l>y a central computer and can

richly decorated interiors of the counyards and inner streets

isolate areas of the building. Air conditioning works o n an

which emulate the intricacies of an Arab house. The main entrance is monumental, and is located along the

algorithm' system whereby a computer regulates the humidity and the temperatures by constantly checking and anticipating

diagonal axis of the square. It is Hanked by two massive

exterior changes. T o handle the dryness and the exceptional

cylindrical towers w h i c h house the banquet hall and the

temperatures that last late into the night, a long cooling tank

library, lioth of w h i c h are easily accessible to the public. The

with a capacity of two thousand tons was installed. Small

central access Is pedestrian. Entry is affected through a large

npenures. masbmbiyyas, baffled light slots, thick walls and

and vaulted gallery which leads directly into the main lobby.

high quality insulation all help to keep the building cool.

'Iliere is no doubt about the majestic character of this space

Xearly all the technology, lalx>ur, and materials comes

which rises impressively through four storeys. The whole

from outside Saudi Arabia. The steel comes from Japan, and

sequence is solemn, formal and official. The lobby is lit by

the mechanical systems are of mixed European origin

strips along the edges, and by hanging bulbs w h i c h give the

(English, German, Swiss, etc). Electric lights are from

illusion of traditional mosque lamps. This central lobby is surrounded by a triangular street

Denmark, as is the white nautical paint. The spherical lights were hand-blown in Germany, and the crystal chandeliers are

which is covered by three-storeyed barrel vaults, the idea

from Austria. The architect was. of course, from Denmark, as

inspired by traditional covered souks. At each corner of the

was the engineer, and most of the wh.tc-collar workers.

triangle are octagonally shaped domed areas, the so-called

Contractors w o r k e d with Saudi partners. The manual labour

squares'. These streets and squares provide access to the

was mostly Korean, and ninety percent of it was unskilled,

reception rooms, offices, stairways and other services. The

ft'ork o n site continued on a twenty-four hour basis, with

streets are paved with attractive green and white marble tiles

eight hour shifts. Approximately t w o thousand workers were

laid i n a chequered pattern. Small openings in the vaults

employed o n the site.

provide the light for these streets w h i c h are cooled by fountains and water canals. Three octagonally shaped squares form the centres of the individual block units, each block being structured around

The programme was formulated in 1977-79 and Larsen was selected i n the spring of 19S0- Construction commenced in I9H2. and was completed by September 1984. with a delay of only three rnontlis.

119

AıtİHL«lıııvr<ıf M j n w ËOÙÊÈm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The [oral cost o f the project, including the main contract,

FRG\t ABGVF:

The filial

telecommunications, art works and furniture came to SR 6l$

raie manusenpts

million, or aliout US S l i O million. Including the car park,

given the opportunity

this amounts to about SRu,5J0 per square metre or US S 1,600

landmarks,

larsen

to visit many of the most important

throughout

ABOVE

period i n Riyadh range from 1*510 two times this amount per

are colonr-eoded

Maintenance costs are a state secret.

used to rwadtba

ctiUeetrm; Henmng

the Islamic wrtd.

a'ld has

was

historical

incorjHuated

many Of the concepts he has seen in this project; 0PP0SITb\ 1'ftO.M

per square metre. Other state commissions of the same square metre. Funds came from the Saudi Government.

recesses of library carrels,

in the Ministry's

Silepian;

section;

M W I t f

Pnratt

courtyards,

to relate to their specific sector, to pnniide

to talk privately ouistde the office.- lattice/cork pergolas acenmrrnntatepneale

seating areas >n "pen

which a place

are used to

courtyards

The building appears to work w e l l . The public spaces, monumental and lofty, evoke a delicate balance of dignity and ease. Circulation is clear and well marked, the streets and square are well lit, cool and quiet. Fountains and canals refresh the atmosphere. The offices are comfortable and of good dimension, and they afford a certain amount o f privacy to their owners. A small area in the lower part o f the building has been designed and set aside for the use o f women. The insulation seems to work very well, and the lighting is handled superbly throughout. The external materials appear to have withstood so far the harsh climate o f Riyadh, and to have weathered the sand, w i n d and dust. The interiors are frequently repainted to maintain their pristine quality. There have been small leaks during strong downpours, and the patio walls d o not have sufficient mouldings to handle exposure to water. Dust, however, is the main problem in Riyadh, and it remains to lie seen how the gardens and fountains will be affected by it. Not p a n of the completed design, some ornaments and panels, commissioned by the client and produced by Moroccan craftsmen, have l>ecn introduced into the building against the wishes o f the architect. They contrast sharply with the pure and abstract conception o f the building and its furnishings. The Ministry o f Foreign Affairs building reflects Islamic principles of geometry and composition. It is one o f those rare buildings that has managed to successfully many a traditional style of architecture with a modern vocabulary. It has taken the mud-mass o f the Riyadh fort and turned it into a modern building i>f nine. If nothing else, its soaring lobby with its vaulted streets and chequerboard floors remains imprinted as a magic space in the mind s eye.

123

I

İS;

I i un lili

1

5.İM

Ministry <>f Foreign Affairs

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING DHAKA. BANGLADESH

Cffcni: Pubtic Works Department, Dhaka. Architects: Louis I Kabrt, David Wisdom & Associates (after 1979), Philadel­ phia. USA. CbrrtptetionDate:juty 1983

In the turmoil following die departure of the Hritish the

The ivrtnat

Indian subcontinent was divided into two separate states,

i Wended tıı retin et 'he tost of cladding

India and Pakistan, the latter Into two entitles, namely East

and)-el OUIivy a SCIISe of rlthness.

and V e s t Pakistan. East Pakistan, dominated by iis western

scale if the extem-r nails is "ndtdalfil

n-herv staffuidtuK Assembly litiilding

In 19^9 ike government decided tu establish a second capital

Kabtt litis fund of ctisttt-i. ubttb

mıh

tuttvrs m the entrance, theuays

his regional

and

are matted

'he maili hall is characteristic

lies which were supposed to be interrelated. The secretariat

••fhartng

intern-r

İTİ nut title

the fiilfl

Han sua-this

Inleiuted to

semibtiittex:

the moat around

tn which tight is modula'ed

between the two. Each capital was invested with respons I hi li­

Itpetade

badı /

as bis tntisl significantproject,

mttdenttstprinttptes

at Dhaka in East 1'aklstan. an attempt at bridging the gap

as Uet'.as muriiiug

wauM tie set: QffOMfl

partner. soon became a homed for the autonomy movement.

by thin strips

tb? eft're surface

marry

OifJtltAt'

here tn the

round

the entire

building;

in 'he tnmdor

of Kabn s Couceru

surrounding

atnnil the itet.es-.it v

spate

was set up in Islamabad while the general assembly was designated to be In Uliaka. However, the movements seeking Independence continued to gain ground, and the ensuing repression from Islamabad sparked off the civil war i n 1971. With Indian support Fast Pakistan achieved independence, adopted the name of Bangladesh, and made Dhaka its capital. In 1962 Louis Kahn was asked to make studies and plans for a National Assembly which was to be sited in the 'second capital". Dhaka. It was to be a symbol of the democratic power and mtKİernity o f the stale. Begun in 1966, the Construction work was interrupted by the civil war in 1971 when only three quarters o f the building was completed. Work resumed and by 1983. twenty years after It was firsl begun, the complex was completed* Bangladesh is a vast plain in the delta o f the Ganges and the Brahmaputra Rivers. Its huge population depends on the rivers, the monsoons, and the level of the waters for its livelihood. Its capital, the city o f Dhaka, is located on the river Buriganga. It is an old trading town that came into prominence during the Mughal I'eriod. when It became the seat of government for the province o f Bengal. Dhaka rapidly developed into one o f the great emporiums of South-East Asia. The construction of the railway in the IHttOs turned Dhaka's business priorities inwards towards the hinterland o f India, and changed its character forever. River traffic l>egan to lose its importance and the river banks their prestigious position. Dhaka's expansion l>egan to spread north of the railway line rather than along the river. The old town remained Indian while the new town became British, the towns separated by the railway tracks which acted as the demarcation line between the two. The new section o f town, called Ramna, continued to grow with the Ra| and after independence. At present Dhaka has as area o f 324 square kilometres, and a population of four and a half million. When

127

Arf hhecruıtf fr.» Islamic ítocieties

National Assembly Building

the Pakistani Government decided 10 establish a second

Jt*e 'muit

capital and assembly al Dhaka they wanted a site distant From

in ıl; OPPOSiTi::

Rainna. The site allocated for the Assembly Building was .seven miles north o f Dhaka city centre, i n a low-lying, flat

ftum

actentıtates

tbe flat planı

W-fiıİne

upe'iıı\..

Itır ırtıtallty

Tbe ptnrerfıtl surmutailng

ıt. OVfiRtfAF.

in Itır fxlerrt/r

persy m tbe post, bulun

plain. It covers an area of eight hundred and forty acres, and

bas ntenttftedas

is oblong in shape. Louis Kahn had indicated that a thousand

pertmeter of Ihv hm Idıng

"fine Halt. ubıeh

is refietteti'

forms af » r AssembAv Hail rıse

çonstflent

Kabn's raimnalıstıc a re primle,

baıe

FftOMABOV& ctıu*e
snnte

witb wbal Kennetfj leannıgs, u r * ıt rıeii

ııp Tbr

itinim-

Frampton

Ihe "ffıees iner ine

mı tbr aitler

acres was the minimum amounl of land required to meet the needs of such a monumental project. O f the eight hundred and forty acres that were allotted for the complex, six hundred belonged to the Government and two hundred and forty were privately owned. The original brief called for a National Assembly building, as well as three hostels to house the ministers, delegates and other officials Coming fiom West Pakistan. Other buildings and residences were also included in the programme. When the Republic o f Bangladesh was formed in 1971, the new Government modified the plans, even though construction had been going on since 1964. The Assembly was expanded to seat two hundred and fifty to three hundred members, galleries had to accommodate five hundred visitors, plus another hundred for the press corps; a prayer hall, post office, commercial bank, library, restaurant, lounge facilities, a reception hall and offices for the President, ministers and other personnel were also added to the complex. Kahn planned the design in five ma|or components which were to be placed in a 'necklace formation'. These comprise the National Assembly block, the centre-piece o f the entire project anil containing nine blocks, the south block o r main plaza, the Presidential Square, the east hostels, and the west residential block. The layout of the complex Is based o n a main north-south axis, with the Assembly Chamber acting as the focal point of interest and attention. This was achieved by designing a monumental building for the Assembly itself, and by placing the smaller buildings o n diagonals to the east and west o f it. A man-made lake, which they face, separates them from the secretariat. The Assembly is i n the form of a cylinder, in effect, a hollow concrete column with perforated walls. The ' c o l u m n ' is octagonal i n shape, and there are eight sectors o n the eight sides o f the octagon. Against the eight sectors there are eight outer blocks. The nine blocks (including the central assembly block) interconnect only at levels one and three. The outer blocks are interconnected at even levels while the central block Is connected with the central anil eastern blocks at o d d levels. The plaza entrance south block Is not connected to the outer blocks at levels four and sis. The 'column' is also used as a light regulating structure throughout the c o m p l e x Deep openings were cut out of the wall facades to protect the windows and to provide shelter from the w i n d and rain. T o the south, the prayer hall forms the entrance to the Assembly buildings. This linking resulted i n mi the realisation that the meaning o f assembly attains a spiritual dimension when applied to community participation, which is what any Islamic community does when ii goes to the mosque. From the nonb. the complex is approached through the park and

129

AichliLf tun: fur Islamic: &>iiLlk'!>

National Assembly Building

Presidential Square. Facing the Assembly io the north is the

latter mask construction joints and incorporate drip m o u l d -

Secretariat, with offices, halls, and National Library. The

ings. Piling is Franki piles. Reinforced by bearing walls with

hostels and dining halls are sited along the edge of the

masonry arches and reinforced concrete ties were used for

triangular lake looking towards the Assembly. Housing for

the hotels and hostels. The reinforced plain, ribbed or

the civil servants is to the west of the hostels. Covered

coffered slabs were left exposed. This was the first major

walkways connect all the hostels to the Assembly. The

building complex in Bangladesh to use concrete as a building

hospital occupies the north-west sector of the complex.

material.

Vehicular traffic access is from the south. Kahn successfully used water in his landscaping design for

All the hostel buildings, the houses, and the outpatient departments are made of reinforced brick masonry-bearing

the Assembly grounds. In a country that sees too much of

wall construction. Since Bangladesh has abundant supplies of

water in the form of floods and rains, he managed to over-

silt-rich clay, brick has long lieen a traditional and popular

come the prejudice felt by many, and demonstrated that the

building material, h is both durable and inexpensive. In the

control of water Is what is important. His walled lakes are

recent past it has been supplanted by cement or concrete

interconnected with drains and canals i n a system that

blocks w h i c h are faced with a stucco plaster. For the last

collects and channels the rainwater away from the site, and

century, stucco has been the most e o n m o n facing material in

into the river.

Dhaka, but it peels and goes black with the monsoon and

The design process was Influenced l>y local architectural styles, and especially by Islamic pre-Mughal and Mughal

requires frequent whitewashing. Expcsed brickwork, however, requires a minimum amount of maintenance. Kahn

architecture, especially the Mausoleum of Humayun in Delhi,

wanted the exposed brick work to be the only form of

the lied Fort at Agra and the Lal-liagh Fort at Daharpur.

decoration, and so he meticulously designed sample walls,

Roman baths and pantheons were also studied, and the

|oints. arches, and stairs w h i c h were to act as the models for

effects of the beaux-arts arc also represented in the complex.

complex. They all had to meet his hign standards. He even

In all, the design embudiesa synthesis and interpretation of

built a sample building i n Dhaka which still stands-

many cultures, endeavouring to be a symbol of universalism. Before the complex was started, before even the design process began, Louis Kahn established an office in Dhaka. He

Lighting in the Assembly Chamber was designed to lie effected by a combination of diffused naturil and artificial light. Maintaining a consistent illumination level, a balance

Initialed a research programme t o l i e u e r understand local

between the natural and the artificial, has proven to be a

architectural styles and the traditions of building, and to

problematic issue in the building. There are similar problems

evaluate the climatic factors that influence the city. He experi-

with the lighting in the prayer hall. Acoustics have also

mented with numerous techniques w h i c h later helped him to

proven to be deficient, and there have been many complaints

establish the methodology for the construction of his complex

about echoes and reverberations, especially in the Assembly

Kahn Wanted to use modern man-made materials that were

Chamber. Many of the areas that were intended to be

imperfect, and to hide those imperfections with a perfect

naturally ventilated had to eventually he air conditioned,

material, marble. His research team worked out the best type

including both the mosque and the Assembly Chamber. This

of forms for pouring concrete, h o w they were to be built,

has added to the cost of the upkeep and maintenance of the

held in place, and be stripped without the necessity of

buildings, and it is an extra load o n the electricity system of

rubbing or patching. It was determined that the tallest

the city-

practical dimension for one day's work w o u l d be five feet,

Some of the design features have also been a problem. The

and this became the standard vertical unit of dimension of

first and foremost being the complexiiy of the design w h i c h ,

the whole building. Kahn accepted and liked the irregulari-

especially for people unaccustomed tu the layout of the

ties of venical w o o d forms, but he did not like the cold joints

buildings, causes disorientation. The intricate circulation

left by placing one day's concrete directly o n top of the

patterns, as well as the complex vertical and horizontal

previous day's work. So he devised a recessed joint, six

orientation of the buildings adds to the confusion. Employees

inches high. These joints, placed at five foot intervals, created

suffer because they feel that they have been cut off from the

a design out of a necessity. Their recesses gave him a

outside world by the massive concrete skin that envelops

precisely formed horizontal edge both o n the inside and on

them. It is a building that is inward by nature. Its enclosed

the outside. The cold joints and tie holes were covered by

spaces are foreign to the local population w h i c h is used to

marine inserts w h i c h were set In place later. The marble

open, low buildings with deep verandas, high ceilings and

inserts on the exterior arc alternately shaped with a project-

large windows.

ing d r i p moulding and a plain face. O n the Inside, the marble

Architectare in humid zones is designed to admit breeie,

insert became a base at the floor line, and a band course

and keep out the sun and the monsoon rains. Louis Kahn's

halfway to the next floor. The floors are finished with

building is only partly effective in responding to the local

lerrazzo tiles with marble dividers, borders and bases.

climate. The climate of Dhaka caused many problems for the

The Assembly building is constructed i n rough-shuttered, fair-faced concrete inlaid with bands of white marble, the

complex as a whole, but especially for the four office wings with their deep w i n d o w openings. Th? w i n d driven rain was

131

Architecture for islamic Societies

National Assembly Building

so frequently o f such a destructive force that the windows

The fame language

had to he covered. This was done with pie-cast concrete and

earned

panels of glass illes: a violation of Kahn's rules. The original

Assembly Building

timber windows did not weather well and warped. They had

of openings,

D W into the corridor

decisions are actually influenced;

circular form

rainfall in Bangladesh was not correctly anticipated by Kahn,

JN tbe concept if gathering, grUUIld-fioor

IIV'b'RlHAP

tebere Tbe semi­

of Ibe Assembly Halt stems from tbe unbilett's asan

elemental human

is

HI the

circulation

in scale and profile, as tbe place

to he replaced by aluminium frame windows. The heavy and rain has penetrated pans or rhebrickwork The large open­

exterior,

Tbe corridor

was seen OS more ibao a functional

space, ami recognised, political

used on rbe building

ualls; OPpCİSfTri-

belief

Imtllaliun,

plail; site plan

ings while g o o d for ventilation are bad for windswept rain. Its overall unfinished form of construction, the concrete facade, does not show any major signs of ageing. Some o f the facilities attached to the complex are not being used for the purpose for which they were designed. The hostels, built to house members o f the National Assembly, are now occupied by the staff and families of the military administration. What was to be a hi>stel for 1

government officials functioned briefly as family residential quarters during the military rule ol General Zia, It has nuw I'een divided into three civilian areas of accommodation: firstly, for non-residential MPs. from rural areas, w h o come to stay for the session; secondly, permanent accommodation for residents o f the Dhaka constituency; and thirdly for civil servants. It Is difficult to evaluate the total cost o f this complex since Its construction spanned a period of more than twenty years, in TJ62. Louis I Kahn was selected to l>e the architect for the masterplan o f this project. In 1964 an agreement was signed, and construction work hegan. by 1970 the work had already begun to slow down because o f Jack of funds. In 1971 civil war broke out. and bast and West Pakistan became sepa­ rated. Work on the complex was suspended. O n December lfrlh 1971, Bangladesh received its independence, and the concept o f the Capitol Complex changed to that o f a National Assembly. Work on the building recommenced. In 1974 Louis Kahn died, and the Government engaged the finn of David Wisdom Jk Associates to secure the continuity of the design principles. Work progressed, and by 1982 an assembly session was held in the building- The completion of the project took another year. The Public Works Department is unable to give exact figures for the total cost o f the complex, but the sum o f TK 1.332,3" million, o r US S S3 million has been quoted tin 19W3), Today, an average building in Bangladesh w o u l d cost about US S26U per square metre. The building of the Assem­ bly cost LiS SĞSÜ per square metres in its day. Whatever its true cost, the budget for the National Assembly complex is Largely surplus to that of any other construction undertaken in Bangladesh. The entire project was paid for with government funds. The annual maintenance and operation costs o f the building was estimated by the Public Works Department to be TK 52.43 million, or about US S2 million in 1983. This includes the cost o f the electricity, water, sewerage, land­ scaping, and the salaries o f the maintenance staff. This is an enormous annual cost for a country to support, especially one that has other urgent social and economic priorities.

133

Ateh lutin K for IslumLe Societies

134

National Assembly Be Hülm;

Architecture for Islamic Soeieiies

136

National Assembly building

Louis Kahn's grand and powerful concept for a National

of traditional culture and heritage with a totally modern spirit

Assembly in Dhaka dominates its setting like a fortified

and design has created a new and contemporary identity in

citadel. Its symbolic and aesthetic Impact o n the landscape is

Bangladesh. The genius o f Kahn, his geometric order and the

undeniable. In spite o f the upheavals that the country

complex mathematical values of his design, like those of a

suffered through the twenty years that this monumental

many-facered precious stone, permeares the building.

complex took to he built, it did build it. It required an enormous local effort ro keep up with the

It has attracted international attention, and an Aga Khan Award In spite of the huge costs, the people o f Bangladesh

design and the high quality of the construction techniques

are justifiably proud o f their National Assembly, and consider

required for the project. The fact that it was finally completed

it an investment in their future.

is a testimony to the commitment and the enthusiasm o f the Bangladesh Government, the Public Works Department, and the construction workers. They justifiably express and manifest enormous pride in their ability to have undertaken

fROM ABOVE:

and completed such a monumental enterprise. It has become

the Pythagorean

a model for the pursuit o f excellence in the architectural community, and a symbol o f the country's desire for social and technological progress.

Kahn 's enlighteneil

rationalism

logic of his forois. by recreating

ubiquitous parasol,

used hy Hangladesbis

ibe sujj, Kahn bus not only demonstrated material,

in concrete

iu

the

to protect themselnes from bis tirtuoSiiy

but also bis keen sense of ohsenallon

phor-. OPPOSITE:

is most evident

in ibis

and beliefin

Ltnyking towards the msirunt in the Assembly

metaHall

The National Assembly has had a direct hand in helping the formation o f the country's first school of architecture, inaugurated in the 1960s, and that of the Institute o f Architects of Bangladesh, created in 1972. ft encouraged the renaissance of architecture as a profession, and that in a country where most o f the building work is carried out by untrained individuals or const ruction engineers. It influenced students, and directly helped to produce talented architects. It also gave a big boost to and encouraged the building trade. The two basic materials, concrete and brick, that were used i n the construction of the Assembly were s h o w n at their best. Although concrete is too expensive a material for the majority, the use of bricks flourished. In Dhaka alone eight or nine new brickworks have been built, and this has opened up a new.' |ob market. The building of the National Assembly also benefited the workers and local craftsmen. The skills and experience gained by them on the construction site has equipped them for many other protects i n the region or the Middle East. The National Assembly Is considered unanimously by the inhabitants o f Dhaka to he an important complex, a landmark in modem architecture. They are proud that it is i n their city. They look upon it as a unique building endowed with national and international significance, and making a positive contribution to the culture and the environment of Bangladesh. Even the political opposition is i n favour o f this complex; its high cost is justified as a symbol for the betterment o f the Future. Throughout the political, social and economic turmoil of the past decades, the people o f Bangladesh have been able to sanely and wisely differentiate between the httman and social concept of what this complex represents. For individuals aspiring to justice and democracy the Sher-eBangla Nagar complex stood as the symbol o f an attainable and tangible ideal. By its virtue as great quality architecture the National Assembly created an overall awareness o f innovation, composition, and design in the country. Its original synthesis

137

•

INSTTTUT DU MONDfc ARABE PARIS, F R A N C E CHertl Justina da Monde Árabe, Jean fvouvei. fierre Soria and Architecture

Parte, France.

Gilbert Lezénés

Studio, Paris. Architectural

Ahmed Zaidan.Jeddab.

Completion

Architects;

with the

Consultant:

Ziyad

Date: November 1$>87

The Instltut du Monde Arabe, or IMA. is one of the large stale

PNOSt AlfOi'E

projects to have lieen built in Pads during ilie last decade, a

Inst it tit's exterior trails, translucent

new architectural landmark, heralding Paris of die year 2000. Situated i n the centre of the city, the building provides a meeting place for the two cultures that produced it. Prance

diffuse natural

Steel and

glass preiail

ttght. IU'WlSm-:.

image that pemides Us place alongside

the Instituí:

art ¡he majority »f alabaster panels

Steel stall OVERLEAF:

many prestigious

rrlnfinre

the

The Instituí

neigblxmrs

the

elegantly hi-tech ha*

talreu

on this segment

of

the left bank

and twenty Arab countries. Its aim was to change and correct the poor Image of Arab culture In Prance, and to reinforce Prance's understanding of that p a n of the world. Officially the idea for the l.MA goes back to hJHtl when the twenty founder states signed the foundation charter of the Instituí. These stares included Algeria, the UAE, France, Iraq. Jordan, Kuwait, Tehanon. Mandtaivia. Morocco, O m a n , Qatar, Somalia. Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen (both North and South); Libya did not join until 1984, and Egypt also Joined later in 1989. It was established as a French foundation of public utility, and subject to French law. According to the agreement, the land was to be donated by France but the building costs were to be financed by the Arab countries. The responsibility for the administration and financing of the IMA was given l o a n Executive Committee of twelve members, six French and six Arab. A High Council with thiny-six members was also established. The first site allocated for the IMA was in the fifteenth arrondissement. it was turned down by the residents of that neighllourhood. In 39til, the Minister of Culture. Jack Lang, selected the new site, in the historic fifth arrondissement. This site was culturally and historically more prestigious' its location in the oldest section of Paris and facing N'oire D i m e conferred upon it a special significance. Seven young architects were asked to submit proposals for the competition. They included Roland Castro. Henri Ciriani, Edith Cpirard. Yves Lyon. Jean Nouvel, d i l l e s Perraudin and Christian Post zampare They were given three weeks to present their architectural plans for the site..lean Nou vels novel and hi-tech solution w o n the day The site for the IMA is an impressive one. It is liounded by the uri>an fabric of the nineteenth century boulevard St Germain to the west, and the more modern Jussieu University buildings to the south, but it is the north front that demands true attention, and makes the site a privileged and exceptional one. Here, facing the River Seine, and with the profile of Notre Dame in the distance, was the challenge of a lifetime for any modern architect,

139

Institut du Monde Arabe

Jean N o m e l tackled the project by presenting a neutral face masked by curtain walls. The mass of the IMA is divided Into two wings with a cut between diem created by a narrow

r'ROM ABÜYH:

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amoutit of H%bt etiicrtiie. ihv libiury.

east-west slit ending i n an interior c o u n . The building

n>j>hrjhiyy^s. nhich

measures seventy-seven metres in length, thirty-five metres in

'rtuliliuttttl iitxtfleti origii/ul.

width and is thirty-two metres high- It is nine storeys high,

museum

and contains museum and exhibition halls, a library and

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documentation centre, an auditorium, a High C o u n c i l Hall, offices, a restaurant and cafeteria, a roof terrace and a car parking garage- It has a large open square, a stiha. to the south, in w h i c h the already e x i t i n g trees formed the only landscaping. There are two entrances Into the complex, o n e from the river bank in the north, and the second from the square in the south. The lower floor houses the exhibition, plenary, and Hypostyle halls as well as the auditorium. The car park is built under this floor. T w o venical elements, the elevators and staircase i n the south wing and the service and sanitary units i n the eastern section of the building, rise through the upper Boors. The library which is located in the southwestern pan, goes from the first to the sixth floor. Its spiral staircase, resembling a minaret, can be seen from the outside through the buildings's transparent skin. The Museum has been so arranged as to occupy levels going from the first to the seventh floors. The different ceiling heights and diversified levels add lo the visual effects of the exhibition space. Administration and office spaces are also on various levels, o n the first, fil'ih. .sixth and upper floors. The director's office and the Nigh C o u n c i l Hall are on the ninth floor. A cafeteria in the n o n h w i n g of the roof terrace offers spectacular views o f the Right Dank and the islands in the Seine. The interior spaces o f the IMA are juxtaposed at all levels. Most of the spatial and functional units are interconnected with each other, the glass and metal see-through effect visually uniting the interior spaces. From the outside the building is a study in comparisons. The pointed end o f the north wing contrasts sharply againsi the tall and narrow rectangular front o f the southern Section, ihe two divided by a thin slii. a metaphoriecul-de-sac- The contrast continues in the ap]>earjnce o f these two facades, both curtain walls bui treated in very different ways. The north facade, lacing the Seine, is bow-shaped and has a polished look, better to reflect the architectural skyline of the river emlwnkment opposite. Continuous aluminium frames horizontally divide its polished facade, and act as a curtain wall hiding and negating the interior divisions of the building. The Hat southern facade is made up o f two hundred and forty square grids. They function like diaphragms on a camera shutter, metallic irises w h i c h filter the sunlight through the glazed surface, allowing from ten to thirty per cent of the light in. These hi-tech

masbrahtyyas-Are:

made up

of 16,520 mobile modules; lozenges, squares, hexagons and circles combine to reflect anil match the mosaic patterns of the floors o f the IMA. The only element visible from the

li3

Architecture for Islamic Societies

144

Institut du Monde Arahe

L4Ü

Architecture for Islamic Sooict 1 0

146

Institut du Monde Arahe

outside is the staircase tower o f the library, which shines at night out to the boulevards.

A survey conducted by Manar Hamniad during one normal day elicited many interesting results. People were invited to

The architect personified the role o f the building i n its

express themselves freely on any subject connected to the

exterior facades. The masked aspect of Islamic architecture,

building. The majority o f visitors to the IMA that day were

introverted, and hidden behind walls, is rendered here by the

non-Arab and non-Muslim. Approximitely eighty percent of

modern hi-tech curtain walls of aluminium, stainless steel and

the people o n the terrace, fifty per cent of the people in the

glass. Nouvel has said that he wants to 'forget thestmcture'

imbibition, and fony per cent o f those in the library were

of his buildings; here he hides it by a neutral, and m o d e m

non-Arab and non-Muslim. For most of the visitors ques-

skin which Ijelies the reality Inside.

tioned, the IMA is not an Arab building, nor is it Muslim; it is

The northern face of the IMA mirrors and reflects the Paris

simply an expression o f French architecture. However, all

skyline, while the southern one confutes up the Arab World,

Arab visitors seem to lie very proud o-the building. They

between these two, worlds runs the silt which connects the

appreciate Its presence as a "window open between the East

inner c o u n space to the outer one. The Islamic courtyard is

and the West'. However, most visitors seem to think the

symbolically linking up with the Parisian and Christian

building is too small and/or misuses iis space.

World, exemplified by Notre Dame across the r i v e r The site measures ten thousand square metres, hut only

The staff feel likewise. The transparent walls make privacy impossible. They feel enclosed In a small space with very Low

7.2S0 square metres were actually used for the ground and

ceilings. All o f them, librarians, museum keepers, and staff

Ijasement floors. The largest spaces are occupied by the

officers alike, feel they need more room for their projects.

Museum and Library, lioth 1,900 square metres, and the

Although it appears large in photographs, i n fact, the building

offices which take up 2.1 SO square metres. The services take

is small in size. Visitors and architects alike expect It to be

up 7.290 square metres o f space, the garage for 129 tars takes

larger than it actually is.

3.350 square metres, and the terrace, square, court and ramp take 5,780 square metres. The structural system is made o f a steel frame with spans.

The discrepancy in the reactions between the visitors and the users is dissipated by the fame that has come to the building. The prizes conferred o n the building and the press

Steel column, beams, trusses and secondary supporting

and architectural accolades invariably influence people, and

elements support the curtain wall facades. These are made of

will transform their viewpoints.

glazed aluminium frames and tempered glass. Aluminium and

High technology is what holds the IMA together. The

glass are also the main materials used for interior partitions

volumes are simple, giving forth a message o f restraint, a

and doors. Ceilings, floor surfaces and the stairs are also

restraint based o n understated wealth. It is in the rich quality

metallic, and they are sometimes combined with plastic

of its materials and its finish that this building shines. Glass

surface layers. The balustrade and elevator cage frames are

shines, and the surfaces of the aluminium shine- These shiny

also made of stainless steel and aluminium. Frameless glass

new qualities pervade the entire building, projecting a cool

elements, fixed by steel bracing wires, are used in the

and perfect exterior facade. The IMA building appears to set

exhibition units of the museum. Marble is utilised for the

a model for the Arab countries, not only i n the technical field

pavement of the courtyard, while alabaster panels are used

but also o n the level o f ideas, or g o a l ; to be achieved. N o

for some of the interior walls. The construction technology is

easy pastiche o f Islamic motifs and designs is present in this

completely industrialised and hi-tech; in fact it utilised the

building, no arches, no niches and no domes. The

highest building technology available in France at that time. The sophistication o f the technological devices requires

mcisbmbivvasaie

used to explore geometric patterns, and are

extraordinary technological innovations. Even when Nouvel

care and maintenance. Specialised firms were made responsi-

uses the essential Islamic architectural idea o f hiding a rich

ble for the care of the mechanical and electronic equipment.

inteilor behind blank walls, he totally transforms it. His

A technical and maintenance network was organised to take

exterior facades reflect the outside world, and bring them

care of the upkeep o f the sophisticated materials used in the

into the interior spaces. It may lie a message indicating the

building, and this included the cleaning of the facades. So far

way for the future of the Islamic World.

all the systems seem to work quite well. The IMA has very rapidly Income a popular meeting place in Paris. It is frequented by many visitors w h o come 10 see the exhibitions, use the library, o r pust to see and wander about the building. They stroll on the retrace, use the cafeteria, or take photographs o f Paris. These visitors are from diverse backgrounds. Although reactions to it are varied, they are generally positive. Most visitors agree that the formal aspect of its design integrates well with its urban Parisian setting, and that Its elegant and dramatic use o f hi-tech materials makes it a valuable addition to the architecture o f Paris.

OPPOSITE;

Section; fcnrlb-Jlw

plan

147

148

The Significance of Cairo JAMES STEELE

T h e international r e n o w n w i i h w h i c h the cultural a n d

forced by Napoleon's French scholars, w h o m a d e a

historical heritage of Egypt is held centres around Cairo,

survey of the city w h i c h they called Le Kaire, translated

becatise of the incomparable accumulation of Pharaonic,

by the British as Cairo.*

Graeeo-Roman, Coptic a n d Islamic treasures that are

T h e princely enclave w h i c h the Fatamids established was

Located there.

used as a base from w h i c h to challenge the authority of the

F o l l o w i n g the M u s l i m conquest <jf the Byzantine city i n

Abliasids i n Baghdad, m a k i n g them a major p o w e r i n the

A D 6 4 1 , a n d the establishment o f a military encampment

region. T h e y set an architectural standard for all subse-

called Al-Fustat. the governmental seal of the p r o v i n c e of

quent dynasties to follow, i n the w a y that their significant

Ejrypt, as a critical p a n of the rapidly e x p a n d i n g Islamic

monuments related to the urban context, w h i c h is a

Empire that was then b e i n g established, was continually

characteristic diat n o w sets historic Cairo a p a n from all

enlarged by a succession of p o w e r f u l ruling dynasties until

other cities i n the Islamic w o r l d , because of the aesdieiie

it became the largest M u s l i m city i n the M i d d l e Ages,

standards tliat they a p p l i e d . T h e Fat, m i d legacy, although

following the fall of B a g h d a d to the M o n g o l hordes.

regrettably reduced, Is most evident today i n (he A l - A z h a r

At its zenith, Cairo was the centre of vast holdings that i n c l u d e d Syria, Palestine, northern Mesopotamia a n d the Hijaz o f Arabia with its H o l y Cities of M a k k a h a n d M e d i n a ; a n d extended as far south into Africa as the Sudan. T h e first stage of this development was reached in ATWS70 w h e n A h m a d Ibn T U i u n declared his independence from the A b b a s i d C a l i p h a n d built his o w n enclave, called A h Q a t a i , n o n h of Aj-Fustat N o t h i n g n o w remains o f this settlement except his spectacular Friday Mosque, w h i c h n o w serves as a western point of demarcation for the city that was to f o l l o w . In A D 9 6 9 the Fatamids. m o v i n g eastward along the Mediterranean coast o f North Africa, established a city w h i c h they named A l - Q a h i r a , 'the Victorious', w h i c h then became the nucleus of the medieval quarter. A s Doris Bebrens-Alvmseif has e x p l a i n e d :

Mosque a n d the University w h i c h they established with it, w h i c h q u i c k l y hecame r e n o w n e d for setting the highest standards, as w e l l as in the A h H a k i r r . A l - A g m a r a n d S a l i h Talih Mosques. T h e walls w hich they also built, a n d w h i c h have p l a y e d such an important p a n in protecting the historic core from encroachment b y ihe s p r a w l i n g metropolis that continues to metastasisc around it, were judiciously e x p a n d e d by the A y y u b i d Sultan Salah a d - D i n . the 'Saladin' of epic legend. H e used Crusader prisoners to complete the city gates called Bab en Nasr, B a b A l - F u t u h and liab Zuwaila, a n d to connect the t w o cities of Al-Fustat and A l - Q a h i r a , w i t h extensive rampa its that extended out to include the Citadel, w h e r e he fraasfened the seat of government i n 1176. W i t h i n these e x p a n d e d boundaries, w h i c h encompass

U n d e r the Fatamids, Al-Qabira became the seat of

an area of nearly four square kilometres, the p o p u l a t i o n of

power, a ceremonial residential centre where the C a l i p h

die city, w h i c h was inflated l>y refugees fleeing from

dwelt with his c o n n a n d army, but Al-Fustat remained

uncertain conditions in the east, as well as l>y Salah ad-

the productive a n d e c o n o m i c centre of Egypt.

D i n s decree that the princely enclave s h o u l d Ix? o p e n e d to

1

She goes o n to e x p l a i n the w a y i n w h i c h this has affected

all, a n d not reserved for the ruling class alone, forced

the name b y w h i c h citizens recognise their city today b y

changes i n the linear, orthogonal stnicture, creating the

saying that:

twisting organic streets w e see today.

T h e w o r d Cairo is d e r i v e d from the A r a b i c A l - Q a h i r a ,

U n d e r the M a m l u k s , w h o ruled, in various forms

w h i c h us not, however, the name c o m m o n l y used b y

between 1250 a n d 1517, this central core reached its height

Egyptians to designate their capital. T h e y have always

a s a metropolis, since after the fall o l B a g h d a d to the

called it \ta$r(the

Mongols, the seat of the caliphate was transferred to Cairo

p o p u l a r f o r m of Misr, meaning Fjrypt)

. . . Egyptian medieval historians m a k e a clear distinction

in 1261, m a k i n g it the political centre of Islam. Its wealth,

I v t w e e n Misr a n d A l - Q a h i r a . T h e habit of calling the

due to its n e w status, a n d the m o n o p o l y it was able to

entire Egyptian capital Cairo, or Al-Qahira, was !>egun

establish o n Red Sea trade, went into the coastruction of

by Europeans w h o visited Egypt. T h e name was rein-

many large complexes, such as the extraordinary madrasa

149

Artlukttıın fur Islamic StKiutk's 1

LÍO

Tin? Significance of Cairo

and mausoleum o f Sultan QaJawun, built lıenveen

Cairo from the countryside each month- T h e historic core,

and 1285. w h i c h rivals the highest architectural achieve­

w h i c h was once h o m e to a wealthy middle class tif mer­

ments realised i n E u r o p e at iliis lime.

chants, lias n o w lieen overtaken b y the niral poor.

Although [he üity did nor regain this exalted position

T h e deterioration of the physical fabric, a n d the c o n ­

after the O t t o m a n Conquest i n 1517, the i n o i i i e n t u m that

comitant loss o f services, i n deference to more m o d e m

had been established b y that time continued, i n the form of

areas, has meant that the middle a n d u p p e r m i d d l e classes

a conscious attitude toward the enhancement of an impor­

have b e e n supplanted. In their place a partem o f invasion-

tant legacy, a n d many fine architectural e x a m p l e s date from

succession has n o w been firmly established b y a transient

this period. A brief renewal o f prosperity and p o w e r was

population that has displaced established n e i g h b o u r h o o d

achieved u n d e r M u h a m m e d A l i ; f o l l o w i n g the N a p o l e o n i c

groups, w h o h a d a stake i n I heir surroundings. W h i l e some

occupation o f Cairo i n 1798, a n d bis njle. w h i c h was also

memtxirs of this pre-existing g r o u p have retained busi­

administered from the Citadel, between 1805 and Ifritf.

nesses i n the core, they n o longer Iive there, meaning that a

marked the final phase of the development of the historic

critical link i n the symbiotic mixed-use cycle of residential

core. H i e decision o f M u h a m m e d A l i to emulate E u r o p e a n

s h o p s that o n c e made the area so viable, lias lieen b r o k e n .

and eS[3ecially French city p l a n n i n g techniques, a n d to

O l d buildings, w h i c h were o n c e individually o w n e d , and

o p e n up vast n e w boulevards that m o v e d o u t w a r d to the

used b y o n e family, have n o w been subdivided, a n d

north and west, is also significant, since it d r e w attention

o c c u p i e d b y several, w h o typically live i n severely over­

a w a y from the centre, a l l o w i n g Cairo to he spared the

c r o w d e d a n i l unsanitary conditions. I"hese greater densities

wholesale destruction suffered Ijy other cities with such a

have stretched the limited capacity of a n ageing a n d

distinguished historical legacy.

neglected infrastructure, far past breaking point. T h e rise of the witter table, due to inadequate sewer and drainage

A Succession of relatives that f o l l o w e d M u h a m m e d A l i .

facilities, has radically accelerated tile deterioration of the

namely his s o n M u h a m m e d Said, his grandson Abllas, a n d

monuments i n the area. A s water rises through the stone b y

his second grandson Isma'il. d i d not s e e m to share his

capillary action, it evaponttes, leaving b e h i n d corrosive

ca[Ktcity ft>r leadership. With a f e w inspired exceptions,

s a i n that cause the stone to crack. In s o m e instances water

such a:i A b i e s ' decree of 1K>K. in w h i c h he r e n o u n c e d all

marks as high as fourteen feet have been recorded < mi

governmental claims to o w n e r s h i p o f land i n favour of

important buildings, a n d this will eventually cause the

fanners w h o were a l l o w e d to both o w n land a n d pass it o n

destruction o f all decorative detail. In addition, air p o l l u t i o n

after paying taxes o n it for five years, the history of their

related to increased traffic, w h i c h is g r o w i n g at a n average

rule is one of extravagance a n d increased Ixwrowtng from

of ten p e r c e n t a year in the greater Cairo area, as w e l l as

foreign banks, w h i c h took place i n spite o f unprecedented

pollution connected to rising industrial activity, has reached

prosperity i n Egypt, d u e ( o a shortage of cotton caused by

a critical level, aggravated by l o w fuel prices, w h i c h

the A m e r i c a n Civil W a r d u r i n g the rule o f Isma'il Pasha. In

encourage its wasteful use.

his expressed desire to make Egypt, a n d Cairo i n particular, a [Xirt of E u r o p e ' . Isma i l S|Xired no expense, and c m barked o n o n e ambitious project after another. These pro|ects, as w e l l as his o w n attempts to use financial inducements to wrest autonomy from the Sultan had consequences o f staggering proportions. In the thirteen short years İTetvveen his accession i n 1863 a n d a declaration o f national bankruptcy in 1876. the p u b l i c debt had in­ creased by three hundred |>er cent, w h i c h led to virtual foreign control of the country, lasting for seventy-six years,

T h e resulting threat to this unparalleled repi>si[ory of Islamic heritage is n o w w e l l k n o w n , a n d the c h o i c e o f Cairo as the site of the 1"K9 Aga K h a n A w a r d for Architec­ ture has d i m e m u c h lo focus attention o n this fact as w e l l . It is h o p e d tliat initiatives, n o w underway, w i l l succeed i n reversing the forces w h i c h have c o m b i n e d to cause such destntction. a n d a l l o w the historic core of Cairo to be preserved for many generations to come.

surviving t w o w o r l d wars a n d various nationalistic initia­ tives. T h e ur1>an legacy of that presence is evident through­

notes

out Cairo, from the casual p l a n n i n g of G a r d e n City to the

1 Doris liehrens-Alioui-c-rf

more formal layt>uts of Moliandessin and Zamalek.

inliixiuclioii. 2

ibid.

ishimic

ArcMivciiin-

in Cain---

An

American University in Calm Press. 1989. p5

p6

D e m o g r a p h i c shihs, w h i c h characterise many countries in the d e v e l o p i n g w o r l d as thev continue to assume more o f the industrial burden that has n o w lieen bequeathed to them, are also affecting Egypt, as thousands mtwe into

FRXiXTIS- The nioftptp when approaching

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151

C o n t r i b u t o r s to i h e 1989

Awards

Steering Committee His Highness The A g a K h a n , Chairman Dr Sel m a Professor

al-Eadi Mohammed Arkoun

Professor J o h n d e M o n c h a u x Mr

Hasan-Uddln

Professor Dr

Khan

Charles Moore

Ismail S e r a g e l d i n

Master J u r y Dr Esin

Aril

M r Rasent

B a d ran

Mr Geoffrey Bawa Professor

Charles

Correa

Mr Kamran Diba Professor O l e g

Grabar

D r Saad E d d i n Ibrahim Professor Professor

Hasan

Poerbo

William

Porter

T e c h n i c a l Review Dr Abdelhalim

I Abdelhalim

M r Jellal

Abdelkafi

Dr Jamel

Akbar

D r M o h a m m a d al-Asad Dr

N u r Altinyildi2

Dr Darab Diba Mr Arif Hasan Mr Komi Khosla M r L a s z l o Mester d e Mr J o h n Professor

Serge

Mr Johan

Silas

Dr Archibald Dr A t i l l a

SanteJli

Walls

Yücel

A w a r d Secretariat D r Said Zulfıcar Dr Sııha Özkan M r Jack K e n n e d y M r Farrokh D e r a k h s h a n i

152

Parajd

Norton