An Architecture for People: The Complete Works of Hassan Fathy

by James M. Steele

This is an account of Hassan Fathy, one of the most influential Third World architects of the 20th century. The ideas he formulated before his death in 1989 have become key elements in the global architectural agenda, with his influence being particularly profound in the developing world. Fathy's buildings are found all over the world, from Egypt to India to New Mexico. The author was able to conduct extensive interviews with Fathy himself before he died, as well as with clients, family, disciples and friends. The author's research in Cairo and Greece (where Fathy worked from 1957-1962) uncovered many previously undocumented projects and he has drawn on the architect's personal notebooks and journals. Fathy's entire career is chronologically surveyed from his graduation in 1926 to the most productive period of his life - the two decades after his return to Egypt in 1962.

Genres: Architecture, Reference

Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Dr. James McLeod Steele Jr. is a Professor of History and Theory of Architecture at the University of Southern California School of Architecture. His work focuses on the key issues that effect architecture and urban planning.

Reviews

[Ziyad Hasanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hasan Fathy - a sadly very unrecognized architect; as my M.Arch tutor described him.

This book covers his background, theoretical approach, methodology, artistic and architectural works and their details pretty well. It moves between being a narrative of Fathy as a post-colonial, identity-seeking character in a tense environment and a descriptive account of his projects and their structural, social, and tectonic evaluation.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look, Architecture for People: The Complete Works of Hassan Fathy is a messy, loud, glorious train wreck of a family comedy, and I mean that as high praise. James Steele throws a wedding, a lost dog, and a feud over a casserole dish into one weekend, and the scene where the bride's father gives a toast that goes horribly off the rails had me laughing into my coffee. By the last chapter the chaos starts to wear thin. For readers who like their comedy big and their families bigger. Skip it if you prefer quiet, polished humor.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, Architecture for People kind of broke my heart and kind of fixed it too. James Steele follows an elderly couple through one terrible, hilarious, ordinary day in a hospital waiting room, and the moment he steals a vending machine snack for her, like they're teenagers again, nearly took me out. It's a little sentimental in spots, and a few supporting characters are too cute. Who this is for: readers who love older characters with real spark. Who should pass: anybody who finds sweetness cloying.

[Dâmaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

FODA

[Helmina · Rating 4 out of 5]

stunning illustration-style gouache paintings of flattened architectural plans and elevations