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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all published by Academy Editions:

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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 Ifıe A#a Kir"" Artnes 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 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

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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

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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

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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 asc 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.

Stff/rS tınıİ ııınvn

havepmona/tied

hvfi/v sKme apfmixlmttte*

iiuahrdMyyaaj

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

t'POSTtS

if? ii-bith

their h"mei in the Gramten

Otyred

ibe ttreti; tbt-

brtdRC teadtnx 'ivr Hull

Bank

"f the the

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*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

wween 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*> 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 \jKh *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 . . . , ::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 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«lıııvregan 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
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

¡1111! ihe (Jutheilml

wen pb

wilced

cost 0/ matrite-

tenses preitsety t-nilml

OPFOHiii:

Tbe

tbe

mecbantcal

mwiml t\et>uan 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

•• If ••• •

\li .

•

the illy ou Saieb Saivin Stml;

Mrntifi'tx- ill-re typically ttseii in l>t*ti>ric Cl'm reference, spaced al regular

ibv OPPOSITE:

as t-isiltllpui'lls

if

intvnals

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